Muddle Cuddle

Ethel King-Shaw is professor emerita of curriculum and instruction in
the Department of Teacher Preparation at the University of Calgary.

When Daddy tries to read the newspaper in his comfortable chair, many
want to join him for a “comfy cozy cuddle.” First come teddy bear,
kitty, and clown. When the twins decide to join in, the chair becomes
crowded. Then rooster, tiger, and snake want to cuddle too. Just as
Daddy declares that this is enough, a frisky puppy jumps into the middle
of the pile and, amidst a great cacophony of sounds, they all come
crashing down.

Throughout Muddle Cuddle there are some unusual sound effects with
rhyming pairs and alliteration. There is also a strong rhythm (but it is
not always consistent). The illustrations’ vibrant colors and bold
lines vividly convey the mayhem of the story line. Recommended.