Mom’s Choice Awards is excited to announce another post in our interview series where we chat with the inventors, designers, publishers, and others behind some of our favorite family-friendly products.
Hello, Mom’s Choice readers! As part of our ongoing interview series, we spoke with Michelle Feinberg, author of the MCA award-winning book, Please Don’t Tell Cooper That Jack is a Rabbit! Please Don’t Tell Cooper That Jack is a Rabbit is part of the “Cooper The Dog” book series and the second book in the series to win a Mom’s Choice Award! Please Don’t Tell Cooper That Jack is a Rabbit is a charming story with an important and heartwarming moral: “Keep your mind and heart open when you meet someone new. Filled with beautiful hand-painted illustrations, Please Don’t Tell Cooper That Jack is a Rabbit teaches the important lesson that friendship comes in all shapes and sizes. We are thrilled to have the chance to talk with her, be sure to check out the full interview below!
“Please Don’t Tell Cooper That Jack is a Rabbit” cover art.
MCA: Hi Michelle, thank you for joining us today and congratulations on yet another Mom’s Choice Award! Can we start the interview by finding out a little bit about yourself?
Michelle: I am a mother of five children and a retired attorney. I’m a huge animal lover and love to support animal welfare organizations. When not writing, I enjoy spending time with my family, traveling, reading, skiing, and painting (although I am terrible at the last two!)
MCA: That’s quite a big family you have! I’m sure they have provided you with plenty of writing inspiration over the years. Speaking of writing inspiration, what was your path to becoming a writer like?
Michelle: I’ve always enjoyed writing, and over the years have mostly written as a hobby. As a teenager, I filled many books with poetry, and as a young adult, I started a couple of novels that someday I hope to finish. When the kids were younger, I’d make up stories each night, usually with animal characters who had faced and overcome similar issues as the children each day. I’ve written these down and hope to create more books with these as well. I did not always think that writing would be my primary focus, and now I am really happy that it is.
MCA: What was your inspiration for writing Please Don’t Tell Cooper That Jack is a Rabbit?
Michelle: I wanted a story that showed children that we can appreciate and embrace our differences with others, which today, more than ever, seems like an important tenet of which we should remind children.
MCA: Please Don’t Tell Cooper That Jack is a Rabbit is the second book in the “Cooper The Dog” book series where we see a new character introduced. Who is the new character that is introduced and what role does he play in the story?
Michelle: Uncle Stephen is based on my brother who had a larger-than-life personality. We sadly lost him in 2020. He was all-things amazing and loved to rescue animals. He plays the uncle to the children in Cooper’s family, and it makes me so happy to see him in this new adventure.
MCA: Why was it important for you to introduce young children to diversity, inclusion, friendship, and kindness through your writing?
Michelle: I fear that today’s social climate is increasingly antagonistic, and people are often focusing on what makes us different rather than what we have in common. We can use books as a way to give more positive messages to children about making strong connections with people who are different from us and engage the next generation in learning to see others in a more positive light.
An illustration within “Please Don’t Tell Cooper That Jack is a Rabbit.”
MCA: What kind of response from readers have you received?
Michelle: So far, the book has received a very positive response! It’s hard not to love Cooper the dog!
MCA: We couldn’t agree more! What can we expect to see next in the Cooper the Dog series?
Michelle: The next book in the Cooper the Dog series is Please Don’t Blame Cooper, It’s Better Out Than In. It will be a funny slant on healthy bodies, showing that all across the world, there are some things that we all have in common!
MCA: We cannot wait to read it, please keep us posted as to when it will be released!
You can learn more about Michelle Feinberg and her award-winning book, Please Don’t Tell Cooper That Jack is a Rabbit by visiting her MCA Shop pages.
