The Snowy Day

My children, now adults, enjoyed this book.
Now, my daughter lives where there is no snow so I bought this when she brought my almost-3 year old grandson to visit us in the north. He didn't connect too well with it but I believe it will come clear as he reflects on his time in the snow.
Big fan.
Simple delightful pictures, sweet story.

I have always loved this little story about the little boy who loved snow so much that he ventured out in it to play. He gathered a snowball, placed it into his pocket for safe keeping. I don't have to tell you what happened. But Mother Nature works wonders, there is more snow in the near future. Great little story.

Wonderful children's book with striking illustration. Simple but sweet story about a young boy on a snowy day. Love seeing African American children featured as the lead in more children's books. Definitely a "must have" for any library!

The Snowy Day is one of those perfect, quiet, simple little books that children want to hear over and over again. It shows the wonders of winter: watching snow fall, playing outside in it and experiencing its ephemeral nature. The lovely thing about snow is that while one snowfall may disappear, there is always another one to enjoy.

Loved this since childhood. I prefer the board book edition, but the story is perfect for your small child. Perfect before bedtime. A wonderful cadence to call your child. Great illustrations to keep your child engaged. I'm surprised more people haven't read it! It's the perfect addition to a baby shower basket.

Many years ago I transcribed a braille edition of A Snowy Day for the Library of Congress. It immediately became one of my favorite children's books. I have given copies of it to innumerable children over the years, and am told they are still being passed down to younger generations. I bought the 50th Anniversary Edition for myself and my youngest grandson. It is as fresh and delightful as ever, and we enjoy reading it together. I personally liked the photos and background information as well.

The book arrived in perfect condition.

Carol A. Stockton

A classic! And the board book version is beautiful. My son loved it at 18 months. It was his favorite during all the snow. I remember reading this when I was little and I love that the fun is still relevant.

My 3 and 2 year olds like this story, and so do I! It's simple, not too long and not too short, and it explores an experience that is familiar and interesting to most little ones. I love that the main character is a person of color; I want my kids to see more diversity in their books.

It's a cute book but it's really for younger children, 5 or six and under. My grand daughters Brownie troop had them read it as part of a winter badge. She's almost nine and thought it was "babies". I think may depend on the child's reading level and age.

Happy Birthday Moon written and illustrated by Frank Asch was first published in 1982 and is still in print today. I love this story because it really focuses on the idea that the gift itself really isn't that important; that the thought behind the gift is what truly counts. With our culture's strong focus on material things, teaching kids this lesson is more important than today than ever.

The story is about a bear who decided it would be nice to give the Moon a birthday present. To find out when the Moon's birthday is, Bear climbs up into the mountains to ask the Moon and find out. The bear is answered by his own echo and believes that the Moon's birthday is the same day as his. So he uses all the money he has to purchase a present for the Moon. Bear leaves the gift Moon in a nearby tree. The gift is blown out of the tree by the wind and is on the Bear's doorstep the following morning, which Bear believes is the Moon's present to him.

The present ends up getting lost in the end and Bear apologizes to the Moon for the present getting lost and Moon (Bear's echo) apologizes back. They both say that it doesn't matter and that they still love each other. This is a story that I remember reading when I was a kid and I remember it being one of my favorite stories for a while. I decided to read it to my son, I was reminded why I enjoyed it so much and why I still love this story today.

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I bought this book for my brother's 50th birthday, I looked to see what was on the best sellers list in the year he was born and got him a copy of a book for young children, one that was best selling for adolescence and one for adults, he really loved the selection and that I was able to get the cover as they were in the year he was born. Was a great gift for a guy who has everything.

This is a great children's book, but the kindle version is awful. Talk about a lazy port. The only reason I bought this is because it's better than nothing on an airplane. Do not buy the kindle version is you want to read this at home with your kids.

I remember this book from my childhood....I purchased it when my daughter was young. So it was the first book I thought to purchase for a baby shower instead of the usual greeting card. Love the story!

My almost 3 yr old I and both love this book. I am a little nostalgic b/c I remember it from my childhood, but the pictures are cute - esp the one of the little boy sitting in the bathtub as he thinks about his day - and she thinks the story is funny.

I never read this book but, it was recommended as a contribution to my company's library for donation to a Children's Library. I know the book has been around for years and, from what I understand, it's a great book!

We will read this until it falls apart. I remember seeing this book on Reading Rainbow as a child and thinking it was such a great story. My kiddos love it as much as I did as a child. I give this as a gift time and time again.

My grandson loved The Snowy Day Board Book! Board books are the greatest books for little toddlers as you know they love to feel them, hold them, and yes they always go to the mouth. My grandson LOVES to be read to and most of his books are board books as they are so durable. He also loves, loves, the lift flap books. It would be great if they would come out with The Hockey Sweater in a board book.

I have fond memories of having this book read to me as a kid. So, it's even more special from me to be able to read it to my 2 year old. He loves it and now waves at the moon often.

One of my favourite children's books of all time.

I remembered this book from my childhood and I loved it! Perfect snow day read for any child. Ended up buying it for a cousin's baby shower and it was a hit. Book came in perfect condition and just how I remembered it. Had to skim through it before giving it as a gift just to enjoy it again!

This book was supposed to be a hardcover book instead it was soft bound and has property of library written across the front and the book itself is somewhat sticky and gross. Was just expecting a somewhat better condition and definitely hard bound.

I know this is a gold medal winner - as clearly shown on the cover, but I'm not sure why. The story is really short, which is fine, because I usually like children's books to be about 5-10 minutes at the most, I mean, I definitely don't want to read a bedtime story that takes 20 minutes. However, the storyline is really mediocre. The illustrations aren't that great either. It's basically about a little boy waking up to a snow day, and the things that he does outside because of the snow. It wasn't something that captivated me like MY childhood favorites: The Little Red Hen, Strega Nona, the Dr. Seuss books, A New Coat For Anna, Stone Soup, Princess Furball, etc.

Anyway, it arrived within a week with Free Super Saving Shipping.

Can't figure out why everyone thinks this author is so great. The books are boring and the pictures not so exciting. Yes, the characters live in a city, which is a refreshing change from the usual farm animals, but I need a more exciting book to go along with it. Weirdly, I bought this on the strength of Keats's "Over in the Meadow," which had great rhymes despite once again featuring a cast of fauna.

I was really disappointed in this book .... I am editing my review because I found out that my two year old grandson loves this book. For me it left too many unanswered questions. It talks about how the little boy put a snow ball in his pocket but gives no indication of why it was gone in the morning. I thought my grandson would wonder why it wasn't still there but apparently it didn't trouble him. I also thought the illustrations were not well done because it was hard to tell which way the foot prints were pointing but that also did not bother my grandson... so.... I have to upgrade it from two stars to four on the basis of how much HE likes it.

I was looking for board books for a year old baby. This was advertised as one, but it is a paperback with paper pages, it will not hold up. I would like to have the book, and will keep it for later on. Disappointing though!

It's a pretty straightforward, basic book. It describes a snowy day with a little boy. It's fairly famous for being one of the first picture books to depict a black child just doing normal, everyday things. The main character being black is not even important to the story. For black children, they see themselves. For non-black children, they see that black children are just like them. So historically, it's interesting because of that. It was published in 1962, so in the middle of the American Civil Rights Movement.

The story: A little boy named Peter looks outside his window. Snow is falling. Everything is covered in snow. He puts on his snowsuit after breakfast and goes and plays in the snow. He finds a stick and hits things with the stick, knocking snow onto his head. He's too little to join in a snowball fight. He makes a snowman and snow angels. He slides down a snowy hill. Then he saves a snowball for tomorrow in his pocket. He goes home and his mother gives him a bath. He thinks about his day, and finds that the snowball is already melted. He sleeps and dreams that the sun has melted all the snow away, but wakes to find that the snow is still there. The next day he plays with a friend in the snow.

Nothing bad here, but nothing great. Groundbreaking for its time, but it didn't hold my attention at all. It's well-written and well-illustrated, but the story is pretty boring. It reminds me of "Lucky Song," a book about a little girl doing things throughout her day. I mean, he's got some feelings, like sadness because the snowball melted, but I don't feel like there's a lot of insight into this kid. Maybe I'd feel differently if I lived somewhere where there was snow instead of Southern California. It's a pretty solidly middle-of-the-road book. Nothing to be impressed about, but nothing to be upset about.

Message: Playing in the snow is fun.

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In Keats’ beloved classic, a little boy enjoys the wonder of his first snowfall. Peter wakes up to see snow covering everything as far as the eye can see. After breakfast, he ventures outside and plays in the snow, making snow angels, playing with footprints, making a snowman, and climbing a mountain. He goes home and tells his mother about his day, takes a warm bath, discovers that the snowballs he saved in his pockets are gone, and goes to sleep, only to wake up to another snowy day. The groundbreaking book was the first picture book to feature an African-American child as the hero of his own story and is still popular with audiences of all cultures and backgrounds today; it is the story of a child enjoying a snowy day – preschoolers will enjoy thinking about their favorite snowy day and appreciate moments that Peter experiences that may be familiar to them: the feeling of snow hitting him on the head, getting hit with a snowball when he tries to play with older boys, and the feeling of a nice, warm bath when he gets home.

Mr. Keats used illustrations consisting of cut-outs, varied textures, strong watercolors, geometric shapes, and collages, was also considered an artistic breakthrough. The images are not outlined, giving making for a softer appearance and will keep young audiences interested while the plain black font allows for a read-aloud that will keep audiences interested in the pictures while the reader weaves the tale. The endpapers provide a comfortable lead-in and phase-out to the story, with multi-colored snowflakes on a sponge-like background. Peter also appears in Keats’ books Peter’s Chair; A Letter to Amy; and Goggles!

I have a two year old son who is obsessed with the moon, so I figured this book would be right up his alley. I was right. He loves this book and wants it read over and over. The problem is that the book is horrible from an adult perspective. It's the story of a bear who thinks he's talking to the moon, but actually it's just his own voice echoing back to him. It's the same lines being repeated over and over and over again. I'm glad my son loves the book, but anyone who reads this book to him ends up making up their own story-maybe that's why he likes it so much? Cute book, but as a parent it's a very annoying book to read every night.

I use the Kindle Cloud Reader on an iPad. This book is one of many classics that publishers are doing a shoddy job delivering digitally. The normal pinch-and-zoom feature we are all now trained to use is apparently not allowed by the publisher, Picture Puffin. They should merge with the other publisher who is doing an equally terrible job with these old time gems, Houghton, and just call themselves Puffin Mifflin. But I digress, it is a shame you can't enjoy the beautiful artwork of the original. Who wants to squint to make it out?? Do not waste your money on the digital version until they do a better job with it. This is likely going to be the case with a lot of wonderful classics, but I'll keep trying until I find a publisher who is doing things better. So while I LOVE the story, I truly HATE what Houghton has done with it digitally. Wake up, publishers!

So I'm ashamed to admit that this was the first time I had ever read this book to my son. I mean come on it is a classic. I must have read it about 50 times as a kid and here I am..bad mommy that I am I have never read this one to my son. Well, I happily remedied that mistake and in doing so can cross another book off the 1001 book challenge.

Snowy day tells the adventures of one little boy spending the day out playing in the snow. He even puts a snowball in his pocket to play with later only to have it melt from being in his warm house. He dreams of the snow all melting but when he wakes up he discovers the snow is still there and that even more is falling.

This classic is just amazing. It really captures the fun of running out in the snow and all the things you do from making prints in the snow to dragging your feet to make looooong line tracks to making snow angels. This is just a fun book all around and it stands the test of time. It doesn't feel dated at all. And that iconic image of the little boy in his red snow suit is unforgettable.

My son enjoyed this one a lot and has already requested I read it to him a second time. So I'm pleased to have found another book to add to our permanent collection

5 out of 5 stars.

This book was absolutely adorable. It depicted a snow day with all of the crunching of snow and snowball fights. I loved it. It really put me in the winter setting and made me think of all the times I've played in the snow.

When he mentions the snow being pushed to the side to clear a path, it reminded me of my time in Chicago.

The illustrations were just as wonderful as the story. Some where done with water color while others looked like spray paint. The hues were brilliant and mesmerizing.

The author did a great job capturing the character as well. I got to be in the character's shoes, which is rare for a children's book. I loved that he wanted to play with the big kids but knew it wouldn't be wise to. I liked that he tried to carry the snowball home. I am sure most kids have done that at some point in their life. Many kids put them in their freezer. When it melted, I imagine he was surprised.

This was a really great book and it stands out among others. I would love to read more from this author/illustrator. I just can't get over how well this was written. It's the first book I've ready where the author really captured the character's age without over doing it. I do think that in real life the mom would have supervised him, but I'm willing to suspend my disbelief.

I came across this book on the store, and it brought back so many memories! I remember having this book read to me when I was little. I remember Peter and his delight at the snow. I remember sharing his delight as I experienced the first snowfall of the season, and copying the way Peter made footprints in the snow. I loved watching him as he went on his adventures, and the delightful, colorful pictures. I was too young to appreciate it then, but I am glad now, that the hero was black. I was so used to seeing all the heroes of my other stories being white, that this untrumpeted change was good for me. And I'm sure, for others as well.

While it would be nice to say that it's shocking that "The Snowy Day" was ground-breaking 52 years ago, it's obvious we've not come quite far enough to forget the fact that having an African American child as the protagonist of a picture book (and one which was not explicitly about race) was considered novel.

"The Snowy Day" was accepted by the general reading public with so little notice of race from Caucasian readers and so much for African American readers, and the love for this book is all well-deserved. The words are too advanced for new readers to understand on their own, but the text is large enough for new readers to follow along with ease. The images are simple, but evocative of that calm, snow-filled day. And the entire piece is peaceful that most readers must find themselves similarly put at ease as they read.

A strong contender for any household, but always a must for public libraries.

This is a very simple story about something I used to find a great deal of joy in as a young child. The simple magic of snow. I am just surprised I did not take the time before to say well done Eza Jack Keats! If you would like to read another book with great African American characters try my book, "Tyronne Carter Kid Scientist."Tyronne Carter Kid Scientist

"The Snowy Day" was the first book written by Ezra Jack Keats (formerly Katz). It was the winner of the Caldecott Medal in 1963, was cited by the NY Public Library as one of the 100 most influential books of the 20th century in 1996, won a citation from the Brooklyn Art Books for children in 1973 and was chosen by the US State Department for its Touring Collection in 1971. The author Keats grew up in Brooklyn and changed his name from Katz to Keats after World War II. Because of the discrimination he faced, he became the first American picture book maker to give a black child a major role in children's books and literature.

Keats was inspired to write this book and develop the central character of Peter (a boy in this book about four) because he had become so enchanted with a photograph of a small boy in Life magazine. He cut out these pictures and put them on his studio walls. This boy in the magazine developed into Keat's character named Peter. Peter would become the main character in six more books until he was portrayed as a young adolescent in "Pet Show".

This is a lovely book which has Peter waking up to a "world of snowy white" delighted with the new snow and his day of playing with snowballs, making snowmen and angels and dreaming of another new day (although he feared that the snow would have melted over night). To Peter's delight, he woke up on the second day to even more new snow. The book is delightful. I loved the part where Peter, just being filled with the joy of being a little boy, tried to capture the day and the snow by putting it in his pocket so that he could take it inside when he has to go into his house.

Keats writes, "Before he got into bed, he looked in his pocket. His pocket was empty. The snowball wasn't there. He felt very sad." What a delight when the little boy is once again filled with joy the next day discovering that the snow is still there as well as some new cover.

This is a wonderful book to experience for any young child. Keeping that wonder alive in a child so that they look at the world with the eyes of Peter embracing each new day is awesome. There are lessons to be taught in the book as well about diversity, friendship, hope, love, being patient about growing up and being able to enjoy the moment and seize the day.

Keats summed up the purpose for writing this book and series with this statement: "Just to get the feeling of this wonderful little boy. I wanted to convey the joy of being a little boy alive on a certain kind of day - of being for that moment -The air is cold, you touch the snow, aware of the things to which all children are so open."

A very sweet book.

Bentley/2007

The Snowy Day

As kids, we all loved to enjoy it snow outside all day for a lot of reasons. It causes schools to close down for the day, you can make a great snowman, and you and your friends can have a good snowball fight. In Ezra Jack Keats' award-winning book, it shows a great example of that.
In "The Snowy Day", we see a little boy named Peter who wakes up to see a ton of snow outside his apartment, and goes outside to experience it. First, he feels the crunch of the snow below his feet. Second, he builds a snowman and makes a few snow angels. Finally, he sides down a snowy hill and put a snowball in his coat pocket as a winter souvenir. But when he returns home, Peter find the snowball melted. What will happen then?
When I first read this book as a child, I thought it was a great story with good art to help tell the story. Also, it turns out to be a very modern classic. It's a simple story of how a little boy ventures in a snowy land. I wouldn't call it a Christmas book however. I think it's also a perfect book to help teach kids how to read. But no matter what, Ezra Jack Keats' book will always be one of the most enjoyable books for kids.

The Snowy Day is a cute book about a boy and his love for snow. He is so excited to head out into the snow. Following along on his adventures, the children just adore all that he can do. If it is winter and snowing outside, children will love to join in the fun as well.

I think the end of the book, ends off with a great since lesson. Peter, wants to save some snow. Can you guess what happens when he looks into his pocket?

I am not sure what attracts the children, Is it the cute illustrations or fun relatable story line?

What ever the case may be, The Snowy Day is a really cute book to read to any kindergarten classroom.

Do you remember the first time you awoke to find the world all filled with white snow and the quiet that follows a large snowfall? It was beautiful, and its stillness and pristine appearance drew you out into the cold very quickly. This book wonderfully recreates that experience, making us all young again, and helping youngsters appreciate the potential joys of snow. The book has remarkable artwork that combines imaginative snowflake cut-outs with collages of hand-made papers and figure cutouts to make you feel like you've entered a fairy land, which you have.
"Snow had fallen during the night. It covered everything as far as he could see." After breakfast, the boy puts on his snowsuit and is out the door. There are enormous snow piles from where the sidewalks have been cleared. He walks carefully through them. He makes funny shaped tracks in the snow, and admires his handiwork. A stick helps him knock snow out of a tree . . . onto his own head! He thinks about joining the older boys in a snowball fight, but realizes he isn't ready yet. Instead, he draws with a stick in the snow, builds a smiling snowman, makes snow angels, and pretends he is a mountain climber. After scaling the snow piles, he slides down. Before going in to get warm, he makes a snowball and puts it in his pocket. He tells his mother all about his fun while he takes off his wet socks. Soon he is thinking in the tub. Before going to sleep, he checks his snowball. It has melted! He is sad before drifing off. He dreams that all the snow has melted.
Good news! He awakes in the morning to find more snow falling, and heads across the hall to find his friend to go out to play some more after breakfast.
One of the positive elements of the illustrations is that they portray a young man of color in an unselfconscious way. He nicely represents every boy and girl who has ever enjoyed the snow.
I felt a very peaceful feeling after reading the book, as though I had just been out playing in the snow with him and was enjoying being fatigued in the warmth of the house.
This will make a great book to read to youngsters because they will be interested in the illustrations and the activities that are portrayed. With a close matching of illustrations to words, this book will also be helpful in preparing your child to learn to read. I was reminded of Snowflake Bentley as I reviewed the many wonderful snowflake patterns on the pages.
The book is well deserving of its Caldecott Medal for outstanding illustrations.
After you finish, I suggest that you think of ways that the rain, fog, and sunny days can provide magical opportunities for pretend fun, as well. After all, you can't make snow angels every day. But you can use your imagination, always!
Look for the beauty in every moment and in every one!

Admittedly, this is the first moon bear book I have read. I like that it's a birthday book- young children will enjoy.
It's warm and endearing. The text lends itself well to discussion about echos and such. Illustrations were pretty limited and basic. It's imaginative. Worth reading, once.

It is easy to "see" why this is an award winning book. The illustrations are masterful! Transcending the visual, they evoke the cold air and that strange quietness that envelopes everything when covered with a blanket of snow. Although any child can identify with the little boy who is the central figure in the illustrations, it is especially nice that he is an African-American. His dark skin makes for an emotion-provoking contrast to the whiteness of the snow. Each illustration is jewel-like in both color and composition. The simplicity of the setting creates a sense of timelessness, as fresh today as when it was first published in the early 1960's. It is highly appropriate for the long range bookshelf in the home, school, or library. It is a shame there are not more books of this all-around quality in which a beautiful Black child is the central character rather than just a little dark face in the crowd.

So, we live in a subtropical balmy climate. It's almost perverse how much you can long for a snowy day. Purely going by title, I ignored this book with its deceptively simple title. Until I didn't...and flipped it open. Whoa. The illustrations wowed me. I loved the protagonist. I bought it for me and didn't know what my 18mo would think of this book. Kid has good taste. LOVES THIS BOOK. Excellent balance of gorgeous illustrations and simple, elegant text for a toddler to comprehend. Yeah, you gotta get this one. I am now adding other Keats titles to our library collection. LOVE reading this with my son over and over and over again. Now I understand why this is a classic.

This book is an absolute GEM! We love it. It was a gift from a friend. The first day we read it (~ November 2013), my then 19 month old daughter had us read it to her 12 times in that one day. A record. Tonight I decided to write the author to tell him how much this book meant to my daughter, only to find that the dear author was born in 1916! This is a beautiful article about him and his inspiration for Peter, the protagonist of the story (the newspaper clippings on the right can be clicked to see in large view). [...]

Recently I overheard my daughter "reading" this book, though I have not read it to her in a while. (We had let a neighbor down the hall borrow it.) So, for the author, and to share with all, I share my 23 month old reading a couple of days ago. I think the clip speaks for itself, the highest of recommendations. [...]

I would like to suggest that the recommended age range be modified from 4 down to 1.5 or 2 years old. I haven't tested for any younger age, but no doubt a child even younger would appreciate it.

Thank you, Ezra Jack Keats, for these gifts to humanity - your artwork, your vision, and your compassion.

I do volunteer reading tutoring to first and second graders. Most of the kids I see are children of immigrant parents who are not able to sufficently help their children read English. So I am always looking for books to help a child WANT to read, and to inspire enthusiaism to find the fun in reading and learning. Many of the immigrant children see most children's books with white children, yes, old classics get re-printed with all white children. So this book, with its non-white child, speaks to the (often) non-white child of immigrants that I tutor. The story and its little boy is charming, and renews the child-like curiosity of experiencing a first snow fall. It's a step toward making learning to read FUN.

The Snowy Day is a simple, elegant story which traces a young boy named Peter's first experience with snow. It is highly oriented to the physical senses -- perfect for young children -- and captures the wonder of this kind of early learning experience. Peter discovers the snow's ability to hold his footprints, its weight as it falls off a tree onto his head, its sculpting possibilities, and its slickness as he slides down a hill. Then he returns to a warm home and a mother who welcomes him with a bath and listens to all of his adventures.

The book is notable not only for its freshness, its vivid tactile experience, and its healthy family context, but because fifty years ago it was one of the first picture books to picture a young African American as its protagonist. For all these reasons it earned a Caldecott Medal and has become quite influential. It's now widely used in school classrooms, and the author followed it with six more books about Peter. Unlike most sequels, these are similar in mood and quality to the original.

This makes a very nice addition to a winter reading basket. It's probably best for preschoolers as a read-aloud, but it can also be a good fit for elementary students.

The Snowy Day is the perfect book to read at the start of the winter season. The weather is finally cold and snow has finally arrived. The Snowy Day is told through simple words and simple images, yet the simplistic joy of playing in the first snow of the season is beautifully told. What child doesn't love to wake up to see a blanket of white covering the entire city? A playground awaiting!

Ezra Jack Keats uses the simplistic joys of snow to tell this story: snowball fights and snow angels. Keats' illustrations and use of color give you images that stand out, again using simplistic styling. Peter stands out against the snow in his red coat. Keats uses paper to convey different textures, a technique that is rarely executed beautifully.

There is nothing as simple yet beautiful than a child, as with anyone, enjoying the simplistic joys provided by nature. This is a must read for every child and adult who enjoy the winter season and all it has to offer.

Just a fabulous book. I remember this one from my childhood, and I love reading it to my young ones now - and more importantly, they love it too. The 3-plus-year-old really gets engaged, asking why the kid in the story isn't big enough to play with the big kids, why the snowball isn't there the next morning, etc. I particularly value it because the main character is independent and makes his own fun out of very little - I think it's important for kids to see that there is fun in all sorts of things, and it doesn't have to involve expensive toys.

The Snowy Day, written and illustrated Ezra Jack Keats, won the Randolph Caldecott Medal in 1963. This popular children’s book introduced multiculturalism into the picture book genre, and Peter became a character that many children were able to relate to. In addition to the Caldecott Award, The Snowy Day was ranked fifth on the list of the “Top 100 Picture Books” in the School Library Journal, 50 years after its original publication in 2012. In addition to this book, Ezra Jack Keats continued to write about Peter in various situations as he grew up and proceeded to experiment with various techniques and styles in his illustrations.
As an illustrator, Ezra Keats was innovative in his artwork as he developed the mode of collage as a means of illustrating a book. After Keats spent many years illustrating the books of other authors, he began writing and illustrating his own books, and was able to complete 22 throughout his career. In particular, The Snowy Day used a mixture of techniques and texture to create a mood that parallels the relaxed, yet lively words and message of the story. The combination of collage and cutouts, as well as the integration of multimedia, draws the readers further into the easygoing and simplistic nature of Peter. Ezra Keats uses many warm colors to realistically illustrate winter. He uses Peter’s red snowsuit as the main focus on the page. In terms of shape, there are many simple, geometric forms that come to life through the variety of texture included.
In The Snowy Day, the story begins by the main character, Peter, waking up to the first snowfall of the winter. The book leads the readers through his adventure in the snow, beginning with him putting on his iconic snowsuit and going outside to play. Peter walks around in the snow, leaving his footprints behind, then continues to move through the snow by dragging his feet to make tracks. Peter longs to join in on the snow fight that older children are participating in, but knew he was too young. At the end of the day, after continuing to play games and make a snowman, Peter put a snowball in his pocket to save for the next day. That night, Peter learned a lesson about what happens to snow when he takes it inside, but is excited to wake up the next day and see that new snow was still falling to the ground.
The Snowy Day is an exciting book for children ages 4-8 that can allow children to experience the adventure of a day in the snow. It is a carefree, easy to understand story that any child can relate to, whether or not they live in a city where it snows. For students of color, this clear and uncomplicated book is a must have to let them have a character that is easy to relate to. Although Peter is a male character, there are no distinctive features that would make it difficult or unappealing for a female reader. With The Snowy Day and Peter being so relatable, the overall goal of the book is to express the wonders of the world to children and show them that there are so many ways to experience nature, whether alone or with friends. Ezra Jack Keats expresses the fun, easygoing way of life that is possible for every child to achieve.
I would recommend this book to a teacher of students from preschool age to second grade. This book could be a great tool to use as an introduction to an art project or writing assignment, depending on the age of the students. In the winter, teachers can read this book aloud to their class, let them imagine themselves in the book, and then proceed on with the activity. Especially for teachers in a classroom with multicultural students, this book would give African American students the chance to relate to a young boy with the same skin color as their own.

This book is a simple, sweet story that is perfect to read with young children in the wintertime. I didn't understand it when I was a kid because I lived in a place that never snowed, but I still loved it. I can see how it would be uplifting and get kids excited about outdoor fun in the winter. The illustrations are eye-catching (red coat--adorable!).

This is a good story about a bear who wants to give the moon a birthday present. He goes all over trying to find a spot where the moon can hear him. Finally he reaches some mountains. When he yells out at the moon he thinks the moon replies back but really it's just his echo. So when Bear yells out that he wants a hat for his birthday, it echos back and Bear thinks that is what the moon wants too. Bear goes out and buys the hat and sets it on the top of the tree. The next morning Bear finds the hat which was blown down from the tree on his doorstep and thinks that the moon got it for him for his birthday. I think this book is a really cute book for kids to read or even parents to read to there kids. It will teach them about friendships and giving. In the end the hat blows away and Bear cannot find it. He tells the moon and the moon of course says the same thing back. Bear then tells the moon that he still loves him , which the moon then says to Bear. So another thing that the story shows is that it's not about the gift that they got each other but the thought of it.

Mr. Keats created the best children's book about silence that anyone ever will create. It's not what I hear, it's what I don't hear that I love every time I look at this book; especially with someone like Peter who is focused on the immense silence that a snowfall brings. His thoughts are narrated. Also, the massive snow dwarfs the diminutive Peter who sees just how small he is in the world, but also just how amazing the silence can be. Authors love to expose children to onomatopoeia thinking that big, brilliant words promote a memorable text. Not this one. It's the silence here that overpowers everything in it. The limited dialogue and huge pictures prove it. It's a quiet book and should be appreciated as such.

This is a wonderful and wise story, of a simple, unassuming bear who wants to give and appreciates what he receives in return. I still get a lump in my throat, and have for many years, everytime I read it to a group of children. "Happy Birthday Moon" is also a useful tool when attempting to instill tolerance of cultural differences to children. I ask my fifth grade students when they hear the story--and chuckle at the silly Bear--why, in our culture, the Moon spoke to the Bear, and they respond straight away that he was in the mountains and there was an echo. I then suggest if you slip into Bear's "culture", why did the Moon speak to the Bear? They answer after a moment's thought, because the Bear spoke first and it is rude not to answer back! From there we discuss why the Bear bought the hat for the Moon, why the Moon "tried on the hat", why the Moon gave the Bear a hat in return, etc, from Bear's culture as opposed to our own. This same lesson can be taught using the equally fine story "Moongame".

"One winter morning Peter woke up and looked out the window. Snow had fallen during the night. It covered everthing as far as he could see..." Peter can't wait to jump into his snowsuit and run outside. There are footprints to make and watch as he walks along, snowmen to build, and angels to carve into the snow with his arms and legs. There are mountains of heaping snow to climb and then slide down, again and again, snowballs to pack, and snowball fights among the bigger kids to watch. And after a long cold, wonderful day outside, there are warm and cozy snow dreams to dream until he wakes the next morning to another fun-filled snowy day..... Originally published in 1963, Ezra Jack Keats' The Snowy Day, is still as fresh and inviting today, as it was forty years ago. Mr Keats' gentle, engaging text captures the essence of the child in all of us on a snowy day, and is complemented by his simple, expressive and evocative, award winning illustrations. Together, word and art brings all the wonder, magic, and imaginative possibilities of a big snowfall to life on the page. Perfect for preschoolers, The Snowy Day is a captivating treasure, to read and share now with friends and family and future generations in the years to come. A MUST for all home libraries, this is a timeless classic that shouldn't be missed.

There aren't a lot of books that both a little child and a weary (wee bit bored, perhaps?) adult can both appreciate. This is one. Keats understands how young children think, how they look at the world. When the young protagonist Peter sits in the tub and thinks and thinks about the day's adventures, I'm struck by recognition both as a parent and as a former small child. I've seen that faraway expression, that serious working through.

The deftness of the language and the beautiful illustrations humble me. The focus of the story and the things that fascinate young Peter also fascinate my little boy, who is 19 months old. He asks me to read this to him at least three times a night. And it's so wonderfully done, I don't even mind.

Whether your child is white, black, purple, green or checkered, get this book. This is a wonderful book.

Children like stories where characters have mistaken ideas of what the moon is. The Caldecott winning book, "Many Moons" (which I HIGHLY recommend you run out and read immediately if not sooner) supposes that the moon is no larger than a thumbnail and made of pure gold. In this book, "Happy Birthday, Moon", a small cuddly bear supposes that the moon is like any other creature and, if you get close enough, you can have a conversation with it. Through a series of misadventures (echoes, trees, and winds) Bear comes to the conclusion that the moon would like a beautiful hat for its birthday. In the end, he and the moon have (in his mind) grown closer over the course of the story.
And boy oh boy is this picture book simple. No extraneous details or folderols here. The lines are clear cut and smooth. From the perfectly circular and yellow moon in the sky to the deftly lined Bear, not a single line or color is out of place here. For those parents wishing to calm their little ones down with a simply told, simply drawn story, this book is ideal. Concepts are not difficult to grasp and words never get any more difficult than "birthday" or "beautiful". It is a nice little book.

What a wonderful day it would be, spending it playing in the snow! Reading this story made me reminiscence about my own snow days when I lived in Washington. I enjoyed looking at the pictures and seeing many different textures: a crisp white for the snow on the trees, a pattern of brown and black for the tree bark, wisps of white swirls for clouds, and a water color white and blue for the snow on the ground which gave it an authentic feel. Overall, this book was an easy read and the pictures complemented the text well. When I read this book to my preschoolers, they did not focus on the text as much but were more fascinated by the pictures. On student said, "I like the picture of the big piles of snow." Another happily said, "The snowball fight was the best!" I would think this book would work best in a first grade or second grade classroom. The language is the book would be easy for them to understand, but more difficult for a child who is just learning to read.

Exra Jack Keats' "A Snowy Day" is utterly timeless. As simple and charming and lovely today as it was when first published in 1963, it describes the small adventures of Peter, a city boy who wakes up one day to find the city entirely shrouded in snow. Peter does what any other red-blooded child would do: he puts on his snowsuit and runs outside. There he indulges in the age-old pursuits of making funny footprints in the snow, hitting a tree to watch the clumps of snow fall from it, making a snowman and snow angels, and sliding down a hill covered with snow. He even packs a snowball into his coat pocket.
The story is minimalist, as are the collages which illustrate the text, but the overall effect is delicious. Peter is a nimble expression of childhood vitality and play, and the pictures combine fabric, rubber stamps, what looks to be wallpaper, paper cut-outs, and fiber to very great effect. It's short, it's sweet, and it's simple--just like the best snowy days.

This exciting children's book teaches a wonderful lesson about giving to others using the moon as an imaginary friend. The book also has an underlying mission that teaches the reader (Or listener) about the dynamics of an echo. It is a "must have" for every children's library. (Especially those home libraries of bedtime stories) The beautiful illustrations make it perfect bedtime reading for newborns and beyond. Once children start learning to read to themselves, this book is perfect because of its simplicity and the special lesson that it conveys.
The lesson about giving something special to somebody else to celebrate your own special occasions goes way beyond the bindings of this 28 page children's book. I have two daughters who for the past decade have been "donating their Christmas holidays and birthdays" to orchestrate fund raisers for children, animals, and disabled people less fortunate than themselves. Working together and individually they have raised over a quarter of a million dollars for bunk beds and a playground for a children's shelter, seed money to build a new animal shelter and wildlife hospital, hurricane supply kits for the disabled, and many more worthy causes. Their "credo" has always been "Rather than presents for me, I am asking everyone to "give a little" to help those who need it the most. It sounds like what Bear did in "Happy Birthday Moon". For his birthday, he wanted to get a special present for the moon rather than focusing on what he wanted for himself. What a wonderful lesson for young children to incorporate into their own set of values. Thank you Mr. Asch for this deep and wonderful message buried at the surface of this simple children's bedtime story. It was an important influence on what my daughters have been able to accomplish because it was one of their favorite bedtime stories.

This book is a treasure for the adult and the child. For an adult to share it with a child creates a bridge where the adult enters his child's world while remembering his own. It's a joyful experience respecting the intense study a child gives his or her discoveries in play. Loved it.

Joanna Poppink, MFT
Los Angeles psychotherapist
author: Healing Your Hungry Heart: recovering from your eating disorder

I just opened the link for Happy Birthday, Moon by Frank Asch and all the reviews listed below appear to be reviews for The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats! What's going on the store? Anyway, Happy Birthday Moon was one of my favorite books as a child and now I'm purchasing copies for my children and nieces and nephews. I love the story and the illustration is simple and clean, the perfect way to wind the little ones down for bed.

I don't love everything that Ezra Jack Keats does. His books to me are like brussel sprouts -- I know I should like them -- I just don't. They seem to me too earnest, no charm. This book, however, is the exception and is charming and I do like it, very much. The Snowy Day is just the right balance of poignancy and humor. It is a pleasure to read and re-read.

Even when I don't especially like the writing of Keats' other books, I almost always love illustration. In that aspect, this book is no exception. I do love the color-blocky illustrations.

My mom read to me every night as a child and our library of children's books were immense. I have vivid memories of approx 10 books out of hundreds and this is one of them. I agree with another reviewer that this book captures the quiet and stillness of a snowy winter day in the city. It is a simple book but my daughter loves it as much as I did back in the 80's.
The other notable books from my childhood were

Harold and the purple crayon

Animalia

Goodnight Moon

Runaway bunny

Go! Dog Go!

And this whole monster series that I can not recall the exact names of....something like Monsters ABC and one about manners....I dunno.

I really love Snowy Day though...

This simple story, and the lovely, original illustrations capture the ethereal beauty of a child enjoying all the quiet magic of snowy day. Peter spends his snowy day exploring things fun and curious about snow--making funny footprints, sledding, hitting a tree to make the snow fall from its branches, up to and including a warm bath. Even the mundane is depicted with sensory detail--as a child would perceive it. He saves a snowball in his pocket, but sadly, can't figure out where it went at the end of the day. Of course the happy ending is that he awakes to find freshly fallen snow. We started reading this when my son was three, and still read it as he approaches six years.

I LOVE this book. At first I picked it randomly and then when I started reading it and looked at the pictures I remembered it was one of my favorite books when I was a little girl. I started thinking about the first time my mother read it to me, and how much I wanted to wear his red snow suit and make footprints in the snow like Peter had done. Even though the pictures are simple, as a child I couldn't stop staring at the illustrations. And then reading it again as an adult, the same thing happened. There is something about the colors and the simplicity of the pictures that draw a persons attention and lets you really use your imagination of what you would do on a snow day. I love that the pictures and text are not overpowering, it's a relaxing book to read to young children. It is a great book to read to children when the winter season comes along.

When "The Snowy Day" first came out, it was considered groundbreaking. Unprecedented. Here, at last, was a picture book in which the protagonist is black. It's not an overtly political book, mind you. Just a nice story about a kid in the city playing in the snow. Having heard about this story for a long time, I decided now was the moment to see how well this book has stood up over time. Ezra Jack Keats has long passed from idle picture book author to a somewhat god-like figure of the children's book world, so does this early work stand out even today? If it was introduced for the first time now, would it be considered as good as it is? Yes and no. The book is both a fabulous creation, and a very simple, very normal, tale that everyone on one level or another is familiar with.
In this book, Peter wakes up to discover that snow has covered the city in the night. Delighted, he pulls on his bright red (and now world known) snowsuit and plunges into a day of exploring and playing. He makes fun tracks, and hits snow off the branches of trees. He constructs a smiling snowman and slides down steep mountains of snow. At the end of the day his mother gets him out of his wet clothes and gives him a nice hot bath. The next morning the snow is still there, and an ecstatic Peter calls up a friend to do the whole day over again.
When I was a child I loved (and still do) stories that took place in the big cities. Keats never draws an inordinate amount of attention to Peter's surroundings. So while you won't see skyscrapers or taxi cabs, there's a distinctly urban feel to the lay of the land. The text is nice and easy for the youngsters to understand. As for the cut-outs, they're a delight to look at. Picture books featuring cut-outs may be remembered best as belonging to such artists as Eric Carle or Leo Lionni, but I consider Mr. Keats to be the granddaddy of the art form. Aside from the beauty of the landscaping in this pictures, I loved the papers used in the book. The section in which Peter sits on the snow, a snowball embedded on his chest, the black sky is a-swirl in greens, blues, and browns. When Peter slides down a snow covered embankment, the sky is then a delightful twisty series of white smoke-like curlicues. And Peter's home itself is eloquently rendered. From the wrought iron bed frame to the multicolored wallpaper and tiles that enhance the setting, the book is the best possible combination of elegance and realism.
If it came out today, "Snowy Day" wouldn't garner an overly enthusiastic response from publishers and critics. Which isn't to say that it's unworthy of the praise already received. As I've tried to show, the book is a wonderful amalgamation of text, pattern, and emotion. One of the finest books written for children, and a great evocative story.

I remember this book! It wasn't my absolute favorite, but I liked it because of the snow. The illustrations are simple and different from most other books, and as an artist I appreciate having been exposed to lots of different types of illustration when I was a kid.

I get tired of books in which the main characters all look the same. The Snowy Day is different. When combined with books like "Last Stop on Market Street" (by Matt de la Pena), "She Persisted" (Chelsea Clinton), & "The Great Eclipse" (C. Minge), this book can help familiarize children with the wonderful, multicultural world in which we live, while at the same time telling a beautiful story. "The Snowy Day" is a must-read book!

This is one of my children's most often requested bedtime books. Frank Asch's illustrations are vibrant and super saturated with color. Small children may appreciate how 2 dimensional the art is.
The story evolves with a child's understanding- a very young listener may believe the moon has given Bear a gift, much as Bear believes, while a slightly older child will understand the significance of the echo and the wind blowing the hat from the tree.
A sweet, comforting and amusing story for young or very young children, and especially appealing to kids who love to look at pictures.

This is a nice book for younger readers to enjoy. The size of the book seems very fitting for this kind of picture book and the age level that it is intended for. It's binding is of good quality along with the type of paper which is used for the book. The cover of the book will catch the eyes of the younger readers and encourage them to choose that particular story to look at.
This story does include African Americans in the book, but race is never mentioned. This is appropriate because at this age level, children aren't quite ready to understand the concept of racial prejudices and differences in our world. The idea of presenting the characters in a different color from the visual "white" type of character seems to be suitable since children are aware at this stage that not all people are the same color.
The author's choice of media, the use of collage, and the bright acryllic paints are a great addition to the book. They really help tell the story to the children. This utilization of color helps to extend the meaning of the story to its audience of children. There is an authenticity established by the illustrations, which are used, in the book. It makes the story stand alone from other picture books, which is no wonder that this book won a Caldecott Medal.
After reading this story to your students, explain what the word collage means. Have various colors of construction paper torn ahead of time. Let the students make their own collage with the pieces of paper by gluing them onto a big sheet of poster board.

We just had our first snowfall of the year, and so of course we HAD to pull out this book to read again. It got the kids (mine are 3 and 5) all excited to go play outside. Evocative and innovative artwork really captures the wonderful fun of children playing in snow. It is simple, which is great for young readers. The lilting verse makes for a very soothing story at bedtime.
On a sidenote, I also like that the little boy in the story is black--that he just IS black, with no stereotypes present. It does not matter that he is black, as far as the story's meaning. I appreciate this subtle nudging toward accepting "differences" as being an everyday, unnoticable occurrence.

This is a darling book. The illustration is so delicate. I am impressed by the skill of the author-illustrator in conveying movement and character. The text reads from the point of view of the child. My children love reading this book. Like the protagonist, they also feel a little sad and a little baffled about the disappearing snow in their pocket. Lovely

The book reminds me of what I used to do in the snow, make foot prints. Moreover, I understand how Peter feels when he wakes up and sees the snow outside. For instance, I remember the snow being taller than me when I rode the bus to school, just like the pictures in the story. Also, I started playing with Peter, making a snowman and knocking snow off the branches of trees, as I read the book. More importantly, if your child has never made angles in the snow or engaged in a snow ball fight, let her go out and play- read them The Snowy Day.

"A Snowy Day," by Ezra Jack Keats is a true classic. The story is about a child named Peter. Peter was a city kid who woke up one morning to discover yhat the entire city was blanketed in snow. Seeing this Peter begins to engage in activities that any small child who grew up with a snowy climate would engage in such as: making footprints in the snow, striking a snow-covered tree in order to knock the clumps of snow off of the branches, making snowmen and snow angles, and sliding down a snowy hill. He ultimately sets it off when he stuffs a snowball in his coat pocket. This is a great book due to it's real like partrayal of a child and the significance of snow in his life.

The magic of the first winter snow is realized in the text and illustrations of this 1963 Caldecott winner. Young Peter awakens to the snowy day, and sets out as children do to explore the joys of being a child in the snow. He "plays" with his footprins, makes snow angels, slides down hills, and rounds out a large ball of snow that fits into his pocket as it surely will fit into the next day. But before he gets into bed, Peter discovers that his treasured ball of snow has disappeared. Peter is sad, but the next day brings more new snow and another way to explore it as only a child can.

This book is a classic from the 1960's, and a winner of the Caldecott Medal. I've always loved it, and now I can pass it on to my young nephew. It follows the activities of a young boy during perhaps his first snowfall. The illustrations are unique, and it's a great read-to or read-with book for young children and those just learning how to read. I recommend it to anyone looking for a good book with lots of pictures for kids from 2 to 5/6 years old. It's also a great way to introduce snow to kids who live in parts of the country/world where snow doesn't often or never falls. Enjoy!

This little book has staying power. It's the story about a little African-American boy who experiences snow for the first time. It's fun to read, takes one back to those thrilling childhood snow days, and gives one pause for thought.

A small book for children, particularly pre-schoolers, about a little boy who goes outside to play in the new fallen snow. It shows the simple joy and delight a child can have with newly fallen snow. I disagree with the comments of an earlier reviewer (Ms. Whittaker from Rush City, Minnesota, in 1998); the artwork is simple and direct because of the nature of the simple and quiet story and because the book is really aimed a pre-schoolers. Interestingly, the book won the 1963 Caldecott Medal for best illustration in a children's book. As far as I can tell, this book is the first winner which is centered about an African-American child. Hence, for this and other reasons, it is a book that should be on the shelf of any serious student of children literature.

I agree with other reviewers that the story in this book isn't heart-stopping exciting and it does drag on a bit toward the end, but frankly, I'm not sure that's a bad thing. The slow, languid pace of this story makes it a very calming and relaxing bed time read. The chunky, colorful illustrations are adorable, and the fact that the little boy is not very detailed makes him sort of a child's "Everyman." The story is really about a little boy whose imagination is maybe a little too big for the fact that he's only 4 and not able to do everything he'd like, but it's cute and engaging and well worth reading.

This book is about the joy of children and snow. The anticipation Peter feels when he wakes up and see the snow falling. The crunch crunch that his feet make in the snow. The shapes his feet make and of course, snow angels. The illustrations are beautiful and my 3 year old who has only experienced snow once, absolutely adores this book! An added bonus is that Peter is African-American, a rarity in the old award winners, even of the Caldecott award. Whether you live in the tropics or the snow belt, your child will probably love this story.

I've loved this book since I was in first grade(1965) I was so happy to see I could get it for my 3 yr old grandson. Gonna hold off and read it to him this winter, since I have so many other books to share now.

We all remember the joy of a snowy day as a child, before you had to shovel, right?

Making footprints in the snow. Making snowmen, snow angels, snowballs. Discovering that snow melts if you put it in your pocket for later when you come in the house.

This book doesn't attempt to tell a story with problems to solve, villains, or much of a plot. Instead, it just follows Peter through his day exploring his world and being a child. Beautiful, sweet - every library needs this book.

I'm glad I bought this book for my daughter. She didn't show much interest at first, after reading it to her few times she end up having interest, then the store have the movie on prime, that she fell in love with it.. we watch the movie e erytime it snow..

This book is part of my standard baby shower gift package along with Goodnight Moon and The Runaway Bunny. With very few words it manages to tell a very simple, yet very elegant story that young children can relate to. The pictures are beautiful and draw children further into the story. As an added bonus, the main character is African-American. Though it makes no difference to the story, it was important to me as a child reading this book 25 years ago to see a kid that looked like me in a book where race was not the focus of the plot, and is important to children of any race reading it today. I cannot recommend this book highly enough for any child of any race, boy or girl.

This book is a very well written childrens book. It is about a little boy who goes outside and plays in the snow all day. He puts snow in his pocket before he goes inside and after his bath he checks for it and notices it is gone. He is sad, he dreams that the snow melted. When he wakes up the snow is all there and he goes and plays with his friend.
I thought this book was a very easy reader. Childrenof all ages 3 to 6 would enjoy this book. So the next time you read a story to help you get your child to sleep remember about, "The Snowy Day." Written by Ezra Jack Keats.

Previous reviewers have said it: clear, recognizable, simple, colourful, engaging, delightful.
Perhaps it is anachronistic that Peter is sent out to play in a city by himself all day, and that he calls on "his friend from across the hall" in person rather than by SMS, but perhaps it shouldn't be. This book shows a young boy being capable and happy in his environment, not isolated by urbanism or fear of the elements.
And besides, this is how a child would remember such a day whether the details are the same as the story or not.
Pair it with "Rain Feet" for 2 out of 4 books in a 'weather' series (send me a comment if you have a recommendation for the other 2!) with the added bonus that both depict black characters without any reference to race at all.

These are totally decent, very soft leggings. Too bad they were not long enough for me at all! They were SO short it was funny. I am 5'11" with long legs, so there is always that chance. Too bad. Otherwise - very cozy, great price!

The books by Ezra Jack Keats seem to be some of our older son's favorites and this one has been read many times over. I expect our two younger children will come to enjoy it as well.
Anytime it snows we always manage to find a stick and a snow covered tree - plop! It is always enjoyable to watch your child take something he has read (or heard) in a book and bring it into his own little world. Fortunately, we have not had to find out what happens to those snowballs when you put them in your pocket and take them inside.

Our 6-year old's teacher sent this book home with him last year. I had seen the book before but never felt compelled to read it. When looking for winter and Christmas stories to read to our little ones, I added this one to the pile and was pleasantly surprised by what a sweet, yet simple book it is! The artwork is very sweet, too -- like a fabric collage. My kids and I all enjoy this precious little book.

This book has been around for 50 years and still holds the magic of the first snowstorm of the season.

In its day, this was ground-breaking work in that for the first time showed a young African American child putting on his snowsuit and having a glorious adventure in the first snow of the season.

A sweet story that is as much fun now as it was when my children were young.

The Snowy Day is such a classic children's book. It features a boys adventures on a snow covered day. The illustrations are simply stunning. I am so happy to have gotten my hands on a copy of this book for my children.

Atfer all these years, the pictures, text, and message still endure. The art has not become dated, nor has the language. Proof that "less is more" means a classic story.

The extra good aspect is that this book features an African American urban boy as a main character without making a big deal of it. That is a big deal, considering in most children's books if there are any minority characters, they are featured as peripheral side characters.

In fact, I remember this book fondly from my childhood, and only after buying it, as an older mom, for my two year old did I realize that the main character is urban and from a minority group.

So enchanting! I loved this book as a kid and the illustrations just captured my imagination totally. You could almost smell the snow, hear it squeaking underfoot. I loved seeing little Peter enjoy himself in childish ways; it completely captured the experience of a winter fantasyland.

This book, The Snowy Day,is about a young boy named Peter and his adventures through the snow. peter abd his adventures any child would do on on a snowy day. Peter made footprints in different shapes,made the traditional snowman ,made snow angels,and of coarse he found the biggest hill to slide down. i have read this book before and evey time i read it ,I couldn't wait for a snowy day. this book is the perfect description of a childs snow day.

This book, The Snowy Day,is about a young boy named Peter and his adventures through the snow. peter abd his adventures any child would do on on a snowy day. Peter made footprints in different shapes,made the traditional snowman ,made snow angels,and of coarse he found the biggest hill to slide down. i have read this book before and evey time i read it ,I couldn't wait for a snowy day. this book is the perfect description of a childs snow day.

The Snowy Day by Ezra J. Keats is a peek into a young boy's day of playing in the snow. It is set in an urban area, and Peter's imagination is the main factor, which sets the fun in motion. As we watch Peter throughout the day, the reader is made aware of the endless possibilities that a day of play and imagination can provide. This book works through its simple text and its simple illustrations. Peter could be any boy or girl. It is only obvious that he is young. This allows for the ideas to really come front and center. It is also obvious that Peter's imagination is the catalyst for making the snowy day fun and worthwhile. The tracks his feet make in the snow, how a stick can make a snowstorm from a tree, and even how a pile of snow could be a great mountain amuse him. This is a story that could have happened this past winter or even in a winter 50 years ago. Keats' picture book provides images that are comforting and calming. The colors are vibrant and warm. The most dominant are shades of pinks, blues, and yellows. The illustrations are so simplified, like the text, that they guide the reader to really focus in on the activities of playing in the snow, that Peter engages in. The activities of walking in the snow, taking a snowball to bed, and finding a stick in his path, embed the ideas of trust, affection and responsiveness. These are concepts that are associated with play and the innocence of children that have not learned to doubt these inner instincts. I believe this is why Keats' books are so well received and have endured the test of time. Peter's trust is demonstrated by easy way in which he walks out into the street to find a place to play. He is at ease with his environment and comfortable in his surroundings. Peter is responsive the anomalies that are present in his "playground," such as the stick, which he sees as a wonderful toy. Childhood affection is also imbedded in this book, it is seen between Peter and his mother at the end of the day but is best illustrate and reinforced on the last page as Peter departs the next morning, holding the hand of his friend, as they go off together to begin yet another snowy day. The Snowy Day is a wonderful book of love, wonderment, disappointment and surprise. Keats has conquered the world of play, showing it for what it is, unconstrained by the rules of society or culture, left to the devices of a pre-school, pre-molded imagination.

This book is a part of my childhood. I grew up in the inner city and this book fit into my snow days than many others. I love the illustrations as well. My children love this story as well. I'm glad that this captures rtf heir attention as much as it did mine.

If you don't know the name Ezra Jack Keats, then you just might miss out on one of the ultimate treasures of the literary world. This simple story of young Peter is a delight to read any time of the year as the protaganist wakes up to a snow-filled scene that he explores and enjoys. He even tries to capture a bit to bring home! Read this with your young ones as they anticipate the coming season or read it by the fire as you dry your feet after a winter day.

I recently bought this for my 2 year-old son, and he immediately fell in love with it. It's a lovely little story about a relatively uneventful day in the life a young boy. It perfectly captures the mood of the first day of a major snowfall-quiet, magical, and peaceful--even in a bustling urban environment. It's amazing how a story with so few words can so beautifully convey the spirit and wonder of the mind of a little boy. My son particularly loves when Peter knocks some snow on his head and when he tries to save a snowball in his pocket.

This book is a classic! A must have for every child. A simple story about a snowy day in a small boy's life which all small children can relate to. All Ezra Jack Keats books are great for children to read as they have a lot of the same characters & children like that aspect. We read about Peter here in The Snowy Day and he also appears in Keats' other stories. I highly recommend a collection of Keats' books especially The Snowy Day!

The little boy named Peter made footprints in the snow. He made a new track with a stick, He hit a tree and snow came on his head! He put a snowball in his pocket but it melted. He took off his snow gear and took a bath and went to bed. He had a dream there was no snow. In the morning, the snow was still there! I like this book because the snowball melted in his pocket and it was so funny when he hit the tree with the stick. This book has good colors and pictures.

I think this book can bring back memories to the adults and children who can remember playing in the snow for the first time. As a child's point of view, it can bring life into what snow looks and feels like if they have never experienced snow before. Reading this book almost made me feel as if I was in the setting that Ezra Jack Evans creates with the wonderful illustrations and words. Illustrations of the book are creative and look like cut outs pasted together to form the settings.

This is a classic read-aloud for a snowy day and the joys a young child can experience in the snow. My kindergarten and first grade students enjoyed hearing it after the snow fell. You can use it to inspire some snowy art projects.

I grew up on this book. I loved it then, and it still holds a special place in my heart now as an adult. I loved it so much I am giving a copy to my best friend for her soon to be born daughter.

Wonderful story, great animation, a true pleasure to read of have read to, right before bed.

As a future teacher who will have to face young children who are a lot more advanced (technologically, mentally, emotionally, and in many other respects) than I was this book offers me a feeling of comfort. A feeling that some innocene is still alive. Bears innocence is refreshing as well as delighting, and amusing. As many times as he speaks to the moon he never realizes that the moons voice sounds a lot like his. The voice that he hears, and that speaks to him uses all of the exact words that he uses. However, it never occurs to him that it is his own. His desire to make a new friend and please that friend is all he wants and although he may believe he found such a friend in the moon, he actually found it within himself. I feel that this book shows various qualities such as, forgiveness(when the hats are lost), caring(the giving of the presents), determination(bear traveling some distance until he is finally able to converse with the moon), and many more that I would like to help build in my children.