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.