The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats

Keats, Ezra Jack. 1962. The snowy day. New York: Viking Press. ISBN 0670654000

Plot:

Peter wakes up one morning to find his world covered in a blanket of snow.  He sets off in his snowsuit to explore and experience, bringing home a snowball souvenir in his pocket.  He dreams that all the snow is melted but wakes to find more snow falling and sets off on another adventure at book's end, this time with a friend.

Analysis:

The Snowy Day has long been considered a classic of children's literature.  Were it written today, it would still be notable for its illustrations, a mixture of watercolor and collage accompanying the text that captures the day with both wonder and realism.  Fifty years ago when the book was originally published, its depiction of Peter, an African-American protagonist, was nothing short of revolutionary in the world of children's books and gave a generation of African American children a book character who looked like them and lived where they lived. 

The illustrations depict an urban landscape in bright colors that is obscured by mountains and drifts of snow.  Keats's city snow is no pristine or pastoral white but rather washed with hints of pale colors against which Peter's bright red snowsuit boldly shines.  The simple text is brought to life by the pictures that follow the words of the story faithfully.  The dilemma of the melted snowball from his pocket is one that will resonate with young readers, while the ending promises Peter and readers another chance to experience a snowy day.

Awards & Reviews:

1963 Caldecott Medal

New York Public Library’s 150 most influential books of the 20th century

Publisher's Weekly review: "pays homage to the wonder and pure pleasure a child experiences when the world is blanketed in snow."

From Book Links:  "The author brought bold, bright color and collage to the forefront of children's literature."

Connections:

• Share this book with other Keats books featuring Peter (Peter's Chair, A Letter to Amy, Whistle for Willie, Hi, Cat!, Pet Show, and Goggles) to show children how the character grows and develops over time.  Ask children to pick out elements or events that show Peter is maturing.
• Explore the Ezra Jack Keats Virtual Exhibit at the de Grummond Children's Literature Collection at The University of Southern Mississippi (http://www.lib.usm.edu/legacy/degrum/public_html/keats/main.html)
• Study other books and illustrators who use collage such as  Eric Carle, Lois Ehlert, Leo Lionni.
• Other books about winter/snow:

Briggs, Raymond. The Snowman ISBN 0241100046

Fleming, Denise. The First Day of Winter ISBN 0805073841

London, Jeremy.  Froggy Gets Dressed ISBN 0670842494