Ezra Jack Keats (1916–1983)

Ezra Jack Keats’ "The Snowy Day" is a beautifully simple yet a meaningful picture book that captures the wonder of childhood and the magic of a fresh snowfall. The story follows Peter, a young boy experiencing the snow-covered ground with joy and curiosity by making footprints, smacking snow off trees, and attempting to save a snowball in his pocket. The use of limited text allows readers to fully immerse themselves in Peter's adventure. The first-person limited perspective keeps the story show more intimate, helping readers connect with Peter’s excitement and small disappointments. Similar to the limited text the illustrations also are minimalistic so that the focus stays on Peter. Personally, I was not a huge fan of the illustrations in this book I think the muted colors in some places, and then bright and bold in others was throwing me off, but just personal preference. However, I did like how Keats' depicted Peter as an African American boy. Instead of showcasing him in a story about racism and making the focus around that, he is in a peaceful environment enjoying a snowy day just like any other kid would, and I really enjoyed that aspect. show less

Keats has a knack for dropping the reader into the story with no preamble, and the world-building is only in the pictures. So much outside the story doesn't matter. So much is left to the reader to work out and decide for themself. This story will haunt me; it might be my personal favorite by the author.

Yes, meeting a blind man is scary. But what I work out for my own interpretation is that he is the one who is scared. Note how the colors of the music change.... (I wonder if Keats had show more synesthesia....) show less

Waking up one wintry morning to a world covered in snow, young Peter puts on his red snowsuit in this iconic picture book from 1962, heading out to spend a day playing in a city transformed. Crunching through the snow and making various tracks, hitting a tree with a stick to dislodge the snow, making a snowman and snow angels, sliding down snowy hills—there were many things he did before heading home...

A childhood favorite of many friends, The Snowy Day is one of those books I have always show more known about—it won the Caldecott Medal in 1963, and is considered a ground-breaking title for its depiction of a young African American boy and his day of fun—but never actually read as a child. I suspect that, had I done so, it would have been a favorite. I too loved to play outside in the snow, and could spend hours amusing myself. I thought the artwork here, unsurprisingly, given the accolades it won, was lovely: simple but charming, with wonderful use of color and form. I loved the pinkish-blueish snowflakes! All in all, a wonderful book, one deserving of its status as a classic, that I would recommend to all picture book audiences looking for wintry tales. show less

Oh my goodness. I love the role the old woman played. I love that the (social workers? outreach volunteers?) found awards for every single pet. Just a fun story, with an undercurrent that reminds us that kids who live in urban poverty can be the nicest kids of all, as they understand neighborliness and compassion.

I think that I'm caught up on all the Keats that is available to me, but if I do find more I will read it!