I Have Enjoyed This Book For Years

 The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats. New York, The Viking Press. 1962 ISBN: 0670654000

Plot Summary:

This is a tale of a boy who awakens to find it had snowed overnight.  Mr. Keats writes a beautiful story about a boy named, Peter who enjoys a fun day outside in the city. The setting is in what I presume to be New York and it all about a boy playing in the snow. Dressed in his snowsuit and armed with his imagination, Peter goes outside and explores all the ways to enjoy the snow.  After a fun-filled snowy day, Peter reflects on all the fun he had while in the tub. That night he dreams that the sun has come and there is no more snow.

Critical Analysis:

I don't where to begin when describing a true children's classic story. (I know there are others but...) Mr. Keats does a great with describing the character and his movements.  His word choice is simple and easy for not just young readers to read but also to listen as the story is read aloud. I like that Mr. Keats doesn't crowd the pages with lots of words but he allows for the reader to use their imagination as they read the story. When it came to writing, The Snowy Day, Mr. Keats wrote about what many kids in his neighborhood  or another snowy neighborhood may have experienced after a fresh snowfall.

Another aspect that makes The Snowy Day a pleasurable read, are the pictures. Mr. Keats not only writes the story but he also illustrates it.  The character, Peter was inspired by a photo that Mr. Keats found in a LIFE magazine. With the illustrations that Mr. Keats did for The Snowy Day, I thought it was watercolors. However, Mr. Keats dabbled in various forms and types of art; it may have been watercolors but it could have also been tissue paper, torn into pieces and placed to create the pictures. Mr. Keats does an excellent job of detailing Peter, the snow scenes, and even Peter's mother. The colors are vivid but they do not takeaway from the fact that this is a story about snow.

Review Excerpts:

American Library Association- Caldecott Medal 1963

Starred review in The Horn Book- "In this mood book, never static but sparkling with atmosphere in lovely water-color pictures, a small boy experiences the joys of a snowy day."

Starred review in Publisher's Weekly- "Ezra Jack Keats's classic The Snowy Day, winner of the 1963 Caldecott Medal, pays homage to the wonder and pure pleasure a child experiences when the world is blanketed in snow."

Connections:

For any child who has wondered what it is like to enjoy the snow this is a good story to read.

For the child who lives in a city or town where the snow falls annually and they may not know what to do; this would be a great read for them.

*The reviews written are my own and are part of a graduate studies program at Sam Houston State University in the College of Education.