Today we’d like to introduce you to Shemeca Cooper.
Hi Shemeca, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
Yes, absolutely! I started our company (Cooper Legacy Books) out of a very real concern I had as a mother. After paying closer attention to the books my children were reading, I became frustrated by how difficult it was to find stories that were fun, engaging, and aligned with the values we teach at home. The breaking point came when some of my children’s favorite comic books began including messages that contradicted our family’s morals. Instead of continuing to complain about the gap, God gave me the idea to create the alternative ourselves.
What makes our brand special is that it is truly family-built. My children are not just inspiration for the stories; they are co-authors who help develop the characters, dialogue, and storylines. Their voices help keep the books relatable and fun for young readers.
Our first stories, including Zoe, Chloe and Their Guardian Angel and Alex The Great, were created to meet kids where they are. They deal with school, friendships, mistakes, confidence, honesty, and everyday challenges in a humorous comic-book style that children enjoy. At the same time, parents can feel confident that the content reflects positive values.
Since launching, we’ve focused on building the brand through direct sales, community events, email marketing, and conversations with families. One of our biggest early wins was participating in the Books in Bloom festival in Columbia, Maryland. Not only did we sell over 40 books, but we also gained new email subscribers and received positive ratings from parents. That experience confirmed that families are looking for exactly what we are creating: stories kids love and parents can trust.
Today, Cooper Legacy Books is still growing, but the mission is clear. We want to become a trusted name in children’s literature by creating books that inspire families, encourage children, and offer a positive alternative in the marketplace. This started as a family solution, but it has grown into a larger mission to serve other families who want entertaining, wholesome stories for their children.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It has not always been a smooth road, but it has definitely been a purposeful one.
One of the biggest challenges was stepping into completely uncharted territory. I had never written and published a book before, so there was a lot I did not know in the beginning. I did not fully know what to expect, what steps to take, or how the publishing process would unfold. But I took a step of faith and allowed God to lead me one step at a time. From choosing illustrators to deciding to self-publish, I truly believe God guided our steps throughout the process.
Another challenge was balancing the business with homeschooling. Because I homeschool my children, I had to be very intentional about making sure the time we devoted to the books did not take away from their learning. But what started as a challenge actually became one of the most rewarding parts of the journey. We were able to turn the book creation process into hands-on, real-world learning.
My children were able to experience what it takes to write a book, develop characters, choose illustrators, and collaborate with creative professionals to make sure the final artwork matched the vision we had in our minds. They got to see entrepreneurship, storytelling, decision-making, communication, and problem-solving happen in real time. Watching them take ownership and contribute their ideas has been one of the most beautiful parts of building Cooper Legacy Books.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
We create wholesome, comic books for children that are fun, engaging, and rooted in positive values. Our goal is to create stories kids genuinely enjoy while giving parents peace of mind about the content their children are consuming.
What sets us apart is that we are not creating children’s books from an outside perspective. We are building stories as a family, for families. My children are co-authors, and their ideas, humor, personalities, and real-life experiences help shape the characters, storylines, and dialogue. That gives our books an authenticity that children can connect with because the stories are not only written for them, but partly created by kids themselves.
We also specialize in comic-style storytelling, which makes our books visually engaging and approachable for young readers. A lot of children enjoy the fast pace, humor, and artwork of comics, so we use that format to draw them in while still weaving in lessons about character, friendship, honesty, responsibility, faith, and making wise choices.
What I am most proud of is that Cooper Legacy Books has become a family mission. I am proud that my children are learning entrepreneurship, creativity, collaboration, leadership, and ownership through this process. I am also proud that we are creating something that meets a real need for families who want entertaining content that still reflects the values they are teaching at home.
There are many great children’s books in the marketplace, but Cooper Legacy Books stands apart because of our heart, our family-centered approach, and our commitment to creating stories kids love and parents can trust.
If we knew you growing up, how would we have described you?
Growing up, I was always a bit of a firecracker. I had a strong personality, a determined spirit, and a desire to get things done. When someone told me I could not do something, I usually took it as a challenge to rise above. Looking back, I can see that same determination still shows up in how I approach my marriage, business, motherhood, and the work I am building today.
I also had a heart for people who were being mistreated, overlooked, or left out. One of the earliest stories my mother told about me is from a parent-teacher night when I was in Pre-K. She said so many families were waiting to meet the parents of “Shemeca” that she thought they were going to jump her for something I did! Instead, she was surprised by what they shared.
One mother told her that her daughter had been extremely shy when she started school, but after I befriended her, she began coming home more talkative and always mentioning a little girl named Shemeca. There was also a story about twin boys who had been “double trouble” in class, but after I came to school, that behavior changed. I think even as a child, I naturally wanted people to feel included and supported.
I was also interested in entrepreneurship from a young age. I started my own babysitting business and sold candy to classmates on the bus ride to school. Both ventures were short-lived, but they planted something in me. They showed me that I could create something, offer something of value, and take initiative.
When I look at who I was growing up, I see a lot of the same traits that led me to Cooper Legacy Books: determination, creativity, a heart for people, and the belief that when you see a need, you do not just complain about it — you build something that helps solve it.
Pricing:
- Alex the Great- $15
- Zoe. Chloe & Their Guardian Angel- $15
- Alex the Great “The Crew” shirt- $25
- Zoe & Chloe “Twinning” shirt- $18
- Zoe & Chloe “sisterhood” blanket- $50
Contact Info:
- Website: https://clbooks.top
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cooperlegacybooks
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@CooperLegacyBooks
- Other: https://www.pinterest.com/Cooperlegacybooks/
