Ox-Cart Man - A Month of Cozy Books

Ox-Cart Man by Donald Hall and illustrated by Barbara Cooney is a perfect cozy book for this time of year. Winner of the Caldecott Medal for Best Children’s Picture Book in 1980, it is a timeless tale that truly should be read by every child.

The story starts in October with the man loading his cart with all the things his family has made or harvested over the previous year. He makes a ten day journey on foot to Portsmouth where he sells everything he has brought along. He purchases a few things that he carries home to his wife, daughter and son. And the cycle begins again with the family working through the rest of the autumn, the winter and the spring to prepare for the next October trip to Portsmouth.

There is so much to love about this cozy book whether it is the illustrations, the simplicity of the story, understanding the rhythms of the seasons, or the emphasis on a family working together. You should definitely add Ox-Cart Man to your list of cozy books to read!