Grief, play and parenting: How a Georgia dad wrote a book with his son

(InvestigateTV) — Eric Cooper, a corporate trainer, spent a Thursday afternoon at home with his 2-year-old son, Mason, working on something most fathers don’t tackle with toddlers: writing a children’s book.

“For better or worse, a lot of dads seem to get a bad wrap for not spending time with their children,” Cooper said.

Cooper and Mason created “Daddy, What’s That Sound?” based on Mason’s constant curiosity about noises around him.

“He’s always asking, ‘What’s that noise? What’s that noise?’” Cooper said.

Stepping into a child’s world

Cooper said he stepped into the world of his child to understand what makes everyday sounds extraordinary.

“We’re talking buzzing bees. We’re talking barking dogs. We’re talking every day sounds, because everyday sounds are extraordinary—and we tend to forget that as adults,” Cooper said.

The book also features animation, with Cooper appearing as a cartoon character alongside his son.

“Me? I think I’m better looking than this, haha. But, ultimately, I think it worked out very well,” Cooper said.

Tragedy sparked the project

The death of Cooper’s brother, Henry, earlier this year unexpectedly started the writing process. Henry was an avid musician.

Cooper said losing his brother made him realize life is fleeting and that work is what people do, but rarely who they are.

“I want him to know that his dad loves him. I want him to know that it was important for me, as his father, that it was important for me to spend time with him one on one,” Cooper said.

Cooper hopes the book serves as a call for adults to be present with their children.

“Love and affection and kindness towards others is extremely important,” Cooper said.

The book represents an artifact from father to son and to anyone else who hopes to keep living long after they’re gone.