So Cold! - by John Coy (Hardcover)

About the Book

Book Synopsis

When the temperature drops far below freezing, many people plan to stay warm and cozy inside. But when it's "so cold" that everyday things behave in unusual ways, it is worth the effort to get outside and play! In this vibrantly illustrated children's story, a boy and his father dress in layer after layer before braving the cold, and the youngster declares: "Call me Freezeman!" Together the two experiment: What happens when boiling water is flung into the air? Or when maple syrup is poured on clean snow? The night before they left a banana outside: now it's frozen solid. Can they can use it like a hammer? A helium balloon that floats inside the house changes dramatically in the freezing air. These and other discoveries await explorers bold enough to venture out on a bright and chilly day. Back inside at the end of the day, no wonder Freezeman declares: "so cold is so fun!" This playful narrative by John Coy celebrates curiosity and exploration, while Chris Park's brilliant artwork illuminates a winter landscape that is anything but bleak. An author's note explains the science behind the various experiments, leaving just one question: with all these amazing activities to undertake with your favorite adult when it's "so cold," why would anyone prefer to stay inside?

Review Quotes

In the children's book So Cold!, a boy and his father venture outside into freezing temperatures to explore six fun science experiments. They fling boiling water into the air, pour maple syrup on clean snow, and discover how a helium balloon behaves in the cold. The playful story is followed by an author's note explaining the science behind each experiment. This is a fun, educational read that families will enjoy together.

--Breana Johnson, Northern Wilds

So Cold!

John Coy, illus. by Chris Park. Minnesota Historical Society, $17.95 (32p) ISBN 978-1-68134-294-8

On a day that's 23 degrees below zero, a parent and child head outdoors for frozen play in this amiable story, a vehicle for spotlighting the science-savvy fun that can be had amid extreme cold. After bundling up in snow gear and a balaclava, the child, self-dubbed "Freezeman," and their father venture into the yard to observe the temperature's transformational effects. They blow soap bubbles ("Fragile bubbles float like snow globes with crystals inside"), successfully use a frozen banana to hammer a nail, create "snowmade" maple syrup candy, and practice tossing wet clothing until the yard is full of frozen trousers standing straight up. With grainy, chalk-like textures, Park's vibrant artwork employs cool tones to communicate the chill. The characters, whose skin tones reflect the white of the page, sport pink and purple hair, not to mention triumphant expressions, as their experiments wow time and again. Back matter further explains the activities. Ages 3-7. (Nov.)