Father-Daughter Duo Dr. Michael and Michelle Copeland Launch Children’s Book on Values and Leadership
Some heroes wear capes. Some carry briefcases. Some simply purr. In a world where children are navigating bigger emotions, social pressures, and complex classrooms earlier than ever before, one Cleveland father-daughter team decided to create a different kind of superhero. One powered not by strength or speed, but by compassion.
Award-winning author, lifelong educator, and mentor Dr. Michael Copeland has spent his career developing leaders, supporting families, and building stronger communities through education. This time, his most meaningful collaboration came much closer to home.
Together with his daughter, Michelle Copeland, now a proud first-time published author, the pair transformed her favorite stuffed animal into the heart of their new children’s book, Luna the Hero Cat, illustrated by Nadeem CH.
What began as a bedtime companion became something bigger. A character. A message. A mission.
The result is a joyful and purposeful children’s story that teaches young readers that kindness is the greatest superpower of all.
A story born from love and leadership
Luna, the gentle hero cat at the center of the book, does not fight villains or leap between buildings. Her magic is simpler and more powerful. She helps others feel seen, safe, and valued.
Through everyday moments, Luna models empathy, apologizing when mistakes happen, standing up against bullying, following safety rules, encouraging friends, and celebrating differences. Each page invites children to practice responsibility, respect, and leadership in ways they can understand.
For Dr. Copeland, the story reflects the same principles he has championed throughout his career in education and mentorship.
“Children do not just need academic skills,” he shares. “They need confidence, character, and compassion. When we teach those early, we shape the leaders our communities need tomorrow.”
For Michelle, the experience brought something equally powerful. Her voice mattered. Her imagination mattered. Her ideas became a book now in the hands of other children.
Becoming a first-time author at a young age gave her a front-row seat to creativity, literacy, and possibility in action.
More than a children’s book
Designed for ages 4-8 and ideal for Pre-K through 3rd grade, Luna the Hero Cat supports early literacy while reinforcing social-emotional learning, an area many schools now prioritize as essential to student success.
Teachers and families can use the book for:
Read-alouds and literacy blocks
Morning meetings and classroom discussions
Character education and anti-bullying lessons
Diversity and inclusion conversations
Social-emotional learning activities
Its simple language and vibrant illustrations create a natural bridge between storytelling and meaningful dialogue.
In classrooms, Luna becomes more than a character. She becomes a conversation starter about how to treat others and how small actions can make a big difference.
A legacy project
At its heart, this project is about legacy. A father modeling purpose. A daughter discovering her voice. A family turning imagination into impact.
Together, they created a story that reminds children everywhere that heroism lives in everyday choices. Helping a friend. Saying sorry. Including someone new. Choosing kindness.
Those small moments build stronger schools, stronger communities, and stronger futures. Because sometimes the most powerful heroes are not the loudest ones. Sometimes they are the quiet, steady hearts teaching us how to care.
Luna the Hero Cat is now available for families, schools, and community organizations seeking meaningful, character-driven stories that inspire young readers to lead with empathy and courage.
Purchase your copy at the link here. The book can also be found on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and many other online book platforms.
