Authors & Illustrators Born in the Month of September: Cooper Edens • September 25th, 1945
The Cover of "If You're Afraid of the Dark, Remember the Night Rainbow," by Cooper Edens
We made the acquaintance of Cooper Edens on spring day at the Green Tiger Press premises in San Diego, when a large, rather unkempt, long haired man arrived, opened his suitcase, fished a pile of oil pastel paintings out from between his clothes, and announced that he had a book he wanted to get published. He had been turned down by several New York publishers.
Thus began a long and wonderful collaboration. The book he brought that day, and that we did publish, was the best-selling classic, "If You're Afraid of the Dark, Remember the Night Rainbow." It won the Children's Critic Award at the Bologna International Children's Fair in 1980.
On Original Painting for "If You're Afraid of the Dark, Remember the Night Rainbow"
We went on to publish several more of Cooper's books, collaborated with him on several others, and our families became close friends. Our friendship introduced us to the Northwest, where we now make our home. Cooper found us our first Seattle location in an old nunnery, in the rooms that the Pacific Northwest Ballet had just vacated.
Cooper's books, which manifest his hopeful, cheerful, imaginative optimism have been an entertainment, inspiration, comfort and encouragement to tens of thousands of his readers.
Happy Birthday, Cooper. We love you!
The Cover of "Caretakers of Wonder," by Cooper Edens
On of the popular "Santa Cow" Books, by Cooper Edens