6 October 2015 SO COZY by Lerryn Korda, Candlewick, March 2015, 32p., ISBN: 978-0-7636-7373-4

“Let it fall down. Let it fall down. Let it all fall down.”

--James Taylor (1974)

Perhaps it’s some sort of gender-based gross motor thing in me, but I still have fond memories of building up tall block buildings coupled with the deep satisfaction of knocking them down. I savored those experiences as a kid and enjoyed them once again as a parent and a preschool teacher.

For whatever reason, I never tire of well-crafted children’s books where everyone and everything gets piled up and then falls down--the processes of assembly and dis-assembly.

The Mitten by Jan Brett and The Napping House are classics of this genre. Lita Judge’s Red Sled is a more recent gem that comes to mind. Of course, nothing beats Chicka Chicka Boom Boom, my favorite of these sorts of books.

Perhaps the story that most closely relates to SO COZY, is Brian Wildsmith’s classic beginner reader Cat on the Mat.

What is most wonderful about SO COZY is that the delicious word “cozy,” repeated throughout the story, will become a favorite of many young kids after experiencing this great bedtime romp. SO COZY involves all sorts of creatures--from a goose to an elephant and bears and bunnies and a snake--convening upon Dog in his warm, comfy bed. They all cozy up together, and everything’s groovy, until Mouse climbs up on the tip of Elephant’s trunk, tickling her. The ensuing sneeze results in the wonderful dis-assembly of the pile. All the creatures then flee the scene except for Dog.

“Patter, patter, patter. Mouse came back. And he snuggled up with Dog in the warm, comfy bed

‘Now, this really is cozy’ Mouse said.

‘Ever so cozy!’ said Dog.

Good night.

Richie Partington, MLIS

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