Inspired by The Musk Ox Farm
Contributed by Sally Ontiveros
National best-selling children’s book author honored with exhibition at The Norman Rockwell Museum!
Jan Brett, celebrated American author and illustrator, was honored last month in an exhibition at The Norman Rockwell Museum in Stockbridge, Massachusetts. With over forty-one million books in print, Brett is one of the nation’s most iconic children’s book authors with titles like “The Mitten,” “Cozy,” and her latest chart-topping best-seller “The Nutcracker.”
Brett’s long-standing career has resulted in twenty-six original stories, many of which have been recognized and awarded for their unique illustrative style and imaginative storylines. Her book “Cozy,” released in 2020, is a heartwarming story about the softest musk ox in all of Alaska. He becomes separated from his family and begins to feel lonely, that is, until he is joined by new friends who begin to live in Cozy’s fur to stay warm during the long Alaskan winter.
“Cozy” was well received nationwide and was listed as one of The New York Times best-selling children’s books. Influenced by her worldly travels, Brett’s conception of “Cozy” was no exception. When her daughter moved to Alaska, she visited The Musk Ox Farm and told her mother stories of the majestic creatures known as musk oxen. A longtime lover of arctic animals, the story of Cozy the musk ox was inspired by Brett’s fascination with musk oxen after traveling to Alaska to visit her daughter for the first time. Brett was enamored with the quaint farm tucked away in the beautiful Matanuska-Susitna Valley and returned to conduct research for her new book idea. Since then, Jan has visited the farm many times, and is considered the #1 fan and friend to the resident herd of over 80 musk oxen. She even has a favorite musk ox, Teal, whom she has adopted and visits as often as she can.
Brett is currently planning a trip to the farm on December 18th for a “Cozy” book signing and meet-and-greet event at The Musk Ox Farm. Fireside Books of Palmer will also be present selling beloved titles from this acclaimed author. This is a great chance to complete your Jan Brett Collection, and have them signed too! For more information on the event, visit www.muskoxfarm.org/janbrett-cozy