Cooper has had about enough of being ”half and half.” And he's certainly had enough of Mr. Lee, the owner of his neighborhood grocery store, speaking to him in Korean even though Cooper can't keep up. Why can't things be simple? Why can't he just be one thing or the other?
One moment in Mr. Lee's store changes everything for Cooper. Before long he realizes that what makes us who we are is never simple—whether you talk about it in English or in Korean. Kim Cogan's richly hued oil paintings complement perfectly this story of identity and intergenerational friendship, and author Sun Yung Shin brings her characters to life with tender, vivid prose.
Sun Yung Shin was born in Seoul, South Korea in 1974. She was adopted by American parents in 1975 and grew up in the Chicago area. A poet, essayist, and teacher, Sun Yung now lives in Minnesota with her husband and their two children.
Kim Cogan was born in Pusan, Korea, in 1977. After coming to the United States to live with a loving family who adopted him, Kim grew up in the Bay Area. An award-winning young artist, Kim has exhibited his paintings to great acclaim nationwide.
• 2004 National Parenting Publications Award (Honors Award in the Children's Resources category)
• Booklist Starred Review
“Both author and illustrator are Korean American, and their poignant picture book is an intimate look at a biracial child's bewilderment, denial, anger, and, finally, acceptance about being 'half and half'. . .Language is the heart of the story, which is told in both English and Korean. The beautiful full-page oil paintings draw on several traditions to reveal the problems and the riches of the kid's cross-cultural identity. . . Many immigrant families will want this for the truth it tells about the important role of language and the bonds across race, culture, and generation.” —Booklist Starred Review
“In Cooper's Lesson, author Sun Yung Shen retells the story that many of us have shared, as Koreans, adoptees, hapas, or immigrants, the joy of finding acceptance and new friendships.” —Korean Quarterly
"Told in gentle language, this quiet story focuses on the challenges of being caught between two cultures. . .Using few details, Cogan skillfully captures frustration, confusion, and understanding in the characters' faces. This story can be used to explore and stimulate discussion about issues of identity." —School Library Journal
“Written and illustrated by two Korean adoptees, Cooper's Lesson is a meaningful story about a young hapa Korean boy who, in a moment of frustration, steals a hairbrush for his mother, gets caught and learns from the patient storeowner that the question of who we are can never--and shouldn't--be simply answered. Bilingual presentation of the story is also a plus.” —AsianWeek
“Families who read together will find plenty to talk about after sharing this tender tale of a boy looking for a home for his heart.”—Sacramento Bee
