The Copper Tin Cup

by Carole Lexa Schaefer, Stan Fellows (Illustrator)

As members of the family from different generations took possession of the cup, they carved their initials on its side, thus when young Sammy looked upon it one winter's day, he thinks fondly about the people who came before him so many years ago.

32 pages, Hardcover

First published May 1, 2000

About the author

When Carole Lexa Schaefer was growing up, she wanted to be both a poet and a journalist. In an unexpected way, she feels she achieved her ambition. While studying for a master's degree in early childhood education, she once put together a picture book made of photo essays. "The lyrical, every-word-counts genre captivated the poet and journalist in me," Carole Lexa Schaefer recalls--and she's been writing stories for children ever since. Her first book with Candlewick, THE COPPER TIN CUP, traces the origin of a family keepsake that's been handed down for generations. "It was inspired by my connections with my immigrant relatives through stories and songs--invisible heirlooms--to keep handing on," she says.

The longtime director of a Seattle preschool that she founded in 1980, Carole Lexa Schaefer often draws on her experience with young children when writing stories. In DOWN IN THE WOODS AT SLEEPYTIME, not one of the baby animals in the woods is ready to go to bed, until Grandma Owl finally finds a way to settle everyone down. The author says she was inspired "by all my friends at Little Friends Preschool who like to play just a little bit longer--even at sleepytime." Luckily, preschool teachers now have some help at nap time: DOWN IN THE WOODS AT SLEEPYTIME, says PUBLISHERS WEEKLY, is a book in which "author and artist make bedtime about as appealing as it gets."


With her next books, Carole Lexa Schaefer switches gears from sleepytime to partytime. FULL MOON BARNYARD DANCE is a rousing read-aloud that showcases farm animals dancing as they learn to appreciate their differences. ONE WHEEL WOBBLES, a zany counting book, follows one fun-loving family on Family Parade Day as they roll along on an ever-increasing number of wheels--Gramma on a motorcycle, Sister on a trike, and Grampa on some snazzy skates. Of ONE WHEEL WOBBLES, Carole Lexa Schaefer explains, "I wanted to create a counting book for children with which they could have a rollicking good time."


Carole Lexa Schaefer, who has a master's degree in early childhood education from the University of Washington, taught school for ten years in places as varied as Taiwan, Switzerland, and Micronesia, as well as Missouri and Washington. Born in St. Louis, Missouri, the author now lives in Seattle.

Reviews

[Sarah Childs]

Summary: Sammy Carl drinks hot cocoa out of his favorite copper tin cup. His initials are carved on the side, but the cup didn't always belong to him. He traces it all the way back to his great-aunt Serena who had it on her journey to her new home in a new land. Her parents, Samuel and Carla handmade it for her before she left.

Review: I didn't know what to expect when I picked this book up. I was drawn to it because my initials are also SC, but I am glad I read it. It's a cute story following a simple cup that has been passed down in the family through the generations. This book is a good one to read during an immigration unit for a different point of view.

Books to pair with: The Granddaughter Necklace by Sharon Dennis Wyeth, and My Mother's Pearls by Catherine Myler Fruisen

'Delicious' quote: "The cup was made for her by her parents, Sammy Carl's great-grandpapa Samuel and great-grandmama Carla. Samuel, a coppersmith, hammered bright copper into the curved cup shape. Then he lined it with a layer of hot melted tin. After the cup cooled, Carla, an engraver, etched in the letters: S and C."

[Kerra Troyer]

Cute story and illustrations!