Inspired by The Musk Ox Farm, national best-selling children’s book author honored with exhibition at The Norman Rockwell Museum

Jan Brett, celebrated American author and illustrator, was honored this month in an exhibition at The Norman Rockwell Museum in Stockbridge, Massachusetts. With over 41 million books in print, Brett is one of the nation’s most iconic children’s book authors.

Brett’s long-standing career has resulted in 26 original stories, many of which have been recognized and awarded for their unique illustrative style and imaginative storylines. Her latest book, “Cozy”, 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.

Released in 2020, “Cozy” was well received nationwide and was listed as one of The New York Times best-sellers. Influenced by her worldly travels, Brett’s conception of “Cozy” was no exception. The story of Cozy the musk ox was inspired by Brett’s trips to Alaska to visit her daughter. A longtime lover of arctic animals, 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, she has visited the farm many times, and is a member of the Friends of the Musk Ox Program (FOMO) offered by the small nonprofit farm. 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 on Dec. 18 for a “Cozy” book signing and meet and greet event at the place that inspired it all, The Musk Ox Farm.