When Tahiya Cooper started teaching in 2013, she never intended to become an award-winning children’s author. She just couldn’t find any diverse books to offer her students — so she decided to write them herself.
Cooper, 32, is a Newark native and educator living in Elkton, Maryland. One of the causes she’s dedicated herself to is helping children deal with emotions, which she does as a school counselor at Holly Hall Elementary School.
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“My focus as a school counselor is supporting kids, and I saw the need for children’s book characters that look like them, that my students could relate to,” Cooper said. “I also wanted to spread a message of kindness.”
Now, Cooper strives to help children everywhere as an author who pays special attention to creating young, diverse characters.
Her newest book, “Sunshine Rock: A Story About Empathy,” is her latest effort to spread that message. The book, which released on March 4, features a nervous third-grader, Alexis, who is entering her first day at a new school. To provide her support, Alexis’ brother gives her a shiny object that will bring her joy if she is upset: the Sunshine Rock.
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However, it turned out that Alexis didn’t need the rock, as her nerves were put to rest when her new classmates made her feel right at home. The story is meant to teach the importance of helping others and seeing things from other’s perspectives, Cooper said.
Sunshine Rock is a follow-up to the success of her first book, “Kindness Week,” which received several awards and recognition in the areas of cultural diversity, social themes and school issues.
Delaware Online/The News Journal caught up with Cooper to ask her about becoming a children’s book author, her newest release and what she hopes to accomplish.
The following Q&A has been edited for length and clarity:
Q: What initially influenced your path as a writer?
A: When I was in high school, I used to write short novels and stories and then I just stopped when I got to college because I was writing so many papers and reading. It wasn’t until I started teaching in the classroom that I renewed my passion for writing when I noticed a need for diverse books. There wasn’t enough positive books for kids that were from different a background, whether it be kids who were in wheelchairs, or kids who are Hispanic or African American. I also started a kindness club at my school back in 2018, and I realized that I wanted to spread that energy that those kids created at my school to make something bigger.
Q: What kind of message do you want to send with Sunshine Rock ?
A: That kindness and empathy is a gift that everyone can afford to give. Sometimes we don’t realize that everyone else is going through something and you have to step back and realize how to help others and understand everyone is going through something. Today, I use the book as a teachable moment.
Q: How important is it to promote a message of kindness and empathy, when you reflect on the global pandemic and racial tension in the world today?
A: It’s extremely important. For kids in particular, understanding empathy and really taking the time to feel how someone else is feeling is a hard concept for children to understand. Sometimes when we don’t, we can get angry and frustrated, but that’s where I come in to try to handle their emotions and teach self-regulation.
Q: So far, what kind of impact has your books made on children and families?
A: I’ve seen such an impact. Worldwide I had people from Canada, all the way down from Florida to Hawaii who have used the book or are using it in their classrooms to spread kindness. And a lot of people are sending me pictures of them making their own Sunshine Rock in their classroom.
Q: Are any of the characters in your books modeled by one of your actual students?
A: Yes. In all of my books I have references to some of the students who were a pillar to my education and helped me to become a better teacher. Alexis and a couple others from Sunshine Rock are actually some of my former students. I learned from them and I felt that they made me a better person and teacher.
Q: Any plans for a third children’s book in the future?
A: Yes, I definitely do. I’m really focused on the social and emotional health of our students and creating books that will empower them. I also want to continue to help them understand that there are characters that look like them that are doing positive things and spreading great messages.
To learn more about Cooper, visit: https://hangingwithmisscooper.com. A paperback edition of Sunshine Rock, featuring illustrations by Patricia Grannum, is available on Amazon.
Contact local reporter Cameron Goodnight at cgoodnight@delawareonline.com, or by calling or texting 302-324-2208. Follow him on Twitter at @CamGoodnight.
