Review: The Snowy Day

The Snowy Day

1. Bibliographic:

Keats, Ezra Jack. The Snowy Day. New York: Viking Penguin, 1962. ISBN

0-670-65400-0

2. Summary:

A little boy named Peter wakes up to find his neighborhood full of fresh snow and he sets
out to explore it fully. At the end of the day he attempts to save a little piece of his
adventure, only to find the snowball he brought inside has melted. He goes to bed
disappointed, but upon waking the next day finds a new layer of snow to explore with
a friend.

3. Critical analysis:

The collage / mixed media illustrations of The Snowy Day are iconic, and can almost tell the

whole story on their own. Keats’ use of simple sentences tell the tale of a snow day adventure
almost the same way a child would tell it is brilliant, and likely why it’s such a beloved story.
This book caused a stir when it was published for featuring a black child and mother, but was
successful in that it did not focus on culture, stereotypes, or prejudices. It is refreshing to
have diversity in children’s books that is passive and normalizing. I love this book for its
portrayal of joy and curiosity in Peter, and that he tries so hard to hold on to his memory
of a day well spent.

4. Awards:

Caldecott Medal Winner, 1963.

Indies Choice Picture Book Hall of Fame, 2011.

5. Connections:

Lesson plans and art activities connected to The Snowy Day from the Ezra Jack Keats
Foundation: http://www.ezra-jack-keats.org/lesson-plan/a-flurry-of-activities/

Comments

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