Cooper and Me (book review and giveaway)

Cooper and Me

by:  Monique and Alexa Peters

Illustrated by:  Alexa Peters

$12.99

From the PR Firm: Along with the excitement and anticipation of starting school for the first time (or a new grade), also comes, for many little ones, anxiety and fear. For kids (and parents!) who are experiencing these jitters, there's an insightful new picture book, Cooper and Me, the first in a series of books that invite children to explore life with a lovable Labrador Retriever, Cooper.


Through rhythmic verses, Cooper and Me tells the story of a young girl who is nervous as her first day of school approaches. She is frightened about leaving home and doesn't want to go without her best friend, her dog Cooper. Fortunately her mother finds the perfect solution to help the little girl overcome her fears – a small replica of her beloved pet she can take to school with her. In Cooper and Me, the story of a child’s worries about starting school has evolved into a timeless tale about overcoming separation anxiety and trying new things – basic emotions all people experience throughout their lives – but this time, written by a child, for children.


The story behind Cooper and Me also offers an inspiring example of families working together to help others. In addition to helping young children gain emotional resilience and confidence through their books, Alexa and mom Monique wanted to go beyond that to help less fortunate kids. Their search for an organization to which they could donate a portion of the proceeds from the Cooper and Me book led to a charitable alliance with the Happy Hearts Fund, founded and run by Petra Nemcova, the supermodel who was directly affected by the tsunami in Thailand. Happy Hearts improves children’s lives through education and sustainable programs in areas devastated by natural disasters.

My take: When I was a young child, I had a security blanket.  I carried that thing until it fell to pieces.  My daughter has followed in my footsteps - only she has 2 of them!  They provide her a sense of security whenever she is getting ready to try something new.  I remember how hard it was to get her to leave them at home when she first went to preschool.  I wish this book had been available then.  Cooper and Me is about separation anxiety on the first day of school.  The story is told in rhyme (some of the rhyme is awkward but most of it works), of how a little girl is anxious about going to school for the first time.  So her mother gives her a mini-Cooper (stuffed animal version of her beloved dog Cooper) to take with her to school.  With her "security blanket" at her side, the little girl is able to go to school with a lot less fear.  This book would be perfect for any child getting ready to experience something new.  I look forward to reading the other three books in the series to my daughter.


Bonus:  There are FOUR Cooper and Me books available (including Winter, Halloween and the Military) along with a book bag and a plush Cooper dog!

Bonus 2:  Download coloring pages and other games here

Bonus 3:  Download Reading Guides for all four books here

About the author: Cooper and Me was illustrated by 11-year-old Alexa Peters and co-written with her mother, Monique Peters. The idea was inspired by Alexa's own experiences on her first day of school. A talented young artist and writer, Alexa wanted to give back to others in a meaningful way through her art. Starting at a very young age, Alexa created illustrated stories about her daily experiences, and from the pages of her sketchbooks came the idea for her first book, Cooper and Me.


The giveaway: Win your very own copy of  Cooper and Me! This book and prize also includes a FREE download of the Cooper and Me theme song, which extends the fun and learning of the book.

To win: Leave me a comment telling me something else you can buy from the Cooper and Me store (winner will be picked at random so your actual response will not determine the winner).  Be sure to leave your email address with your comment if you are not a blogger or your email is not easily found on your blog. This giveaway is open until 11:59 p.m., EST, Tuesday, November 1, 2011. Good Luck!

Bonus entries: Get up to 8 extra entries for a total of 9 entries (please leave a separate comment for each extra entry):

• Blog about this giveaway (don't forget to leave the link in your comment)
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This post was written for Nina Stern Public Relations who provided the books for review and giveaway. I was not compensated in any way except for the complimentary book. My opinion is my own.

P.S.:  Be sure to check out my new fan page for Did You See That? on Facebook!


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