THE SNOWY DAY by Ezra Jack Keats

Review by Christi De Leon

1.    BIBLIOGRAPHY

Keats, Ezra J. The Snowy Day. New York: Puffin Books, 1962. ISBN 9780140501827

2.    PLOT SUMMARY

In this story, a young boy named Peter wakes up to the sight of snow outside. He decides to venture outside. First, he creates a path for walking and leaves tracks in the snow. He also builds a snowman, makes a snow angel, and plays on a mountain of snow. When he returns home, he saves a snowball in his pocket for the next day. Before going to bed, he finds that his pocket is empty. This makes him feel sad. Despite his dream of the snow melting away, he wakes up to see more snow outside.

3.    CRITICAL ANALYSIS

This picture book presents the curiosity and exploration of a young boy as he experiences a big snowfall. The use of onomatopoeias help the reader to not just imagine the sight of snow, but also the sound it makes such as “Crunch, crunch, crunch…” Even as an adult, reading about his adventures led me wish for snow so that I could slide down a hill of snow or make a snow angel. I wonder if this book sparked interest in these particular snowy day activities many decades ago?

The illustrations are crisp with bold colors. Comprised of cutouts, watercolor, and collage, the story’s illustrations capture the snowy bliss wondrously. Peter’s red snowsuit stands out amidst all of the white snow, catching the reader’s eye. I also admire the small details, such as the illustrations of Peter’s different tracks in the snow and his smiling face inside the window at the end.

4.    REVIEW EXCERPT(S)

1963 Caldecott Medal

Top 100 Picture Books #5 by School Library Journal

1^s full-color picture book with an African American protagonist

From The Horn Book: “In this book sparkling with atmosphere, a small boy experiences the joys of a snowy day. The brief, vividly expressed text points out his new awareness.”

From Publisher’s Weekly: “Ezra Jack Keats’s classic The Snowy Day, winner of the 1963, pays homage to the wonder and pure pleasure a child experiences when the world is blanketed in snow.”

5.    CONNECTIONS

Gather other “snow-filled” books to read such as:

Brett, Jan. The Mitten. ISBN 9780399231094

Gather other Ezra Jack Keats books to read such as:

Whistle for Willie. ISBN 9780670880461

Peter’s Chair. ISBN 9780140564419

A Kindergartener’s response:

“This story makes me wish there was snow at my house!”

Possible activities:

Do a simple science experiment about melting (states of matter), and relate it to the snow that melted in Peter’s pocket. Set cups of ice in different locations around the classroom or school. Predict which cup of ice will melt the fastest. Afterwards, reflect on the results.

Use white puffy paint (equal amounts of glue and shaving cream) on blue construction paper and have students make tracks, a snow angel, or a snow man similar to what Peter made in the snow. Students can add a cutout of Peter to complete the picture.

KNUFFLE BUNNY: A CAUTIONARY TALE by Mo Willems

Review by Christi De Leon

1.    BIBLIOGRAPHY

Willems, Mo. Knuffle Bunny: A Cautionary Tale. New York: Hyperion Books, 2004. ISBN 978078681870

2.    PLOT SUMMARY

A young girl named Trixie accompanies her daddy on a trip to the Laundromat. Their outing goes successfully until Trixie realizes something is missing. Trixie babbles and fusses in attempt to let her daddy know. Unfortunately, daddy does not understand. When they reach home, Trixie’s mommy notices that Knuffle Bunny is missing. The family goes back to the Laundromat together to look for the stuffed animal, and daddy eventually finds it. Trixie is so overjoyed that she says her first words: Knuffle Bunny.

3.    CRITICAL ANALYSIS

This story has few words, and heavily relies on the illustrations. The presence of Knuffle Bunny in this book controlled the reactions of not only Trixie, but also everyone else. I especially took notice to all of the bystanders. At beginning, the people were all minding their own business as Trixie and her daddy walked to the Laundromat. Even when Trixie was throwing clothes around, her daddy still had a smile. Because Trixie was happy, daddy was happy, too. On the trip home, however, everyone was staring oddly as Trixie completely loses it and goes “boneless.” I also found it entertaining that Trixie could say “Knuffle Bunny” at the end of the story, but could not communicate this to her daddy the entire time the stuffed animal was missing. This story also reveals a typical, yet humorous truth of how a mommy often pays closer attention to details than a daddy. Trixie’s daddy had no idea why she was so upset, but mommy knew immediately asking, “Where’s Knuffle Bunny?”

The style of illustrations used in this story is highly suitable for its simplicity. The character illustrations consist of bright, hand-drawn sketches. Digital photographs with a sepia tone complete the setting. The sketches of the characters tend to jump out, showing expression and humor.  These series of sketches could almost tell the story, especially since the emotions are evident. Seeing cartoon drawings among a realistic background make the book even more appealable. It’s a fascinating and clever combination.

4.    REVIEW EXCERPT(S)

2005 Caldecott Honor Book

From Booklist: “This comic gem proves that Willems has just as clear a bead on pre-verbal children as on silver tongued preschoolers.”

From The Horn Book: “There’s plenty here for kids to embrace. There are playful illustrations and a simple, satisfying story. This everyday drama will immediately register with even pre-verbal listeners.”

From School Library Journal: “A seamless and supremely satisfying presentation of art and text.”

5.    CONNECTIONS

Gather other Caldecott Honor books to read such as:

Muth, Jon J. Zen Shorts. ISBN 9780439339117

Gather other books from the Knuffle Bunny Series to read such as:

Knuffle Bunny Too: A Case of Mistaken Identify ISBN 9781423102991

Knuffle Bunny Free: An Unexpected Diversion ISBN 9780061929571

A Kindergartener’s response:

“I like when she said her first words. She was so happy!”

Possible activities:

Allow students to draw a picture or write a story about their favorite stuffed animal or toy. Students could each bring their special stuffed animal or toy to show to their class as they tell their story.

Conduct a picture walk, looking only at the illustrations of Trixie. By observing her many facial expressions, develop a list of adjectives that describe her many emotions throughout the story. Students could also try emulating each facial expression.

LAST STOP ON MARKET STREET written by Matt De La Peña and illustrated by Christian Robinson

Review by Christi De Leon 

1.    BIBLIOGRAPHY

De La Peña, Matt. Last Stop on Market Street. Ill. by Christian Robinson. New York: G.P.     Putnam’s Sons, 2015. ISBN 9780399257742

2.    PLOT SUMMARY

A young boy named C.J. rides the bus across town with his grandmother, Nana, on Sundays after church. This particular Sunday, it is raining and C.J. is wondering why they must go. On their trip, Nana teaches C.J. how to appreciate their surroundings. They encounter many different people on the bus, and Nana points out the best in each of them. C.J. even gets lost in the rhythm of a guitar player’s song. Once they reach Market Street, they walk the rest of the way to their destination. Once again, Nana shows C.J. the beauty around them. C.J. ends up being glad to visit the neighbors on the other side of town.

3.    CRITICAL ANALYSIS

Along for the bus ride with C.J. and Nana, the reader gets a glimpse into reality with a true perception of diversity. It is impossible not to love Nana’s character. Through her positivity and kindheartedness, she relentlessly leads a curious boy to discover what’s beautiful in life. As a deeper approach, this story truly exemplifies how to instill selflessness in youth and the life-changing impact of a compassionate grandparent. I also particularly loved the use of personification by the author, such as the tree “drinking through a straw” and how the bus “sighed and sagged.”

The illustrations brilliantly complement the story through use of acrylic paint and collage. The bold, bright colors and defined shapes portray the setting as it is described. Subtle details added throughout the story have great symbolic significance to the story, such as the graffiti and the rainbow. I admire the way they wonderfully intertwined words with art as C.J. saw “sunset colors swirling over crashing waves” and “a family of hawks slicing through the sky.”

4.    REVIEW EXCERPT(S)

2016 Newbery Medal

2016 Caldecott Honor Book

2016 Coretta Scott King Illustrator Honor Book

New York Times Book Review Notable Children’s Book of 2015

Wall Street Journal Best Children’s Book of 2015

From School Library Journal: “The urban setting is truly reflective, showing people with different skin colors, body types, abilities, ages, and classes in a natural and authentic manner…A lovely title.”

From The Horn Book: “De La Peña and Robinson here are carrying on for Ezra Jack Keats in spirit and visual style. This quietly remarkable book will likely inspire questions… it will also have some adult readers reaching for a tissue.”

5.    CONNECTIONS

Gather other Caldecott winning books to read such as:

Mattick, Lindsay. Finding Winnie: The True Story of the World’s Most Famous Bear. ISBN 0316324906

Henkes, Kevin. Waiting. ISBN 0062368435

Gather other Matt De La Peña books to read such as:

A Nation’s Hope: The Story of Boxing Legend Joe Louis. ISBN: 0147510619

A Kindergartener’s response:

“I liked that C.J. and Nana were being so kind to others.”

Possible activities:

Discuss the meaning of volunteering, and give students the opportunity to serve their community.

Introduce imagery by playing several pieces of music as students close their eyes. Afterwards, students can share what they imagined during each song.