Module 2: Classics
The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats
Keats, E.J. (1962). The Snowy Day. New York, NY: Viking Penguin Inc.
Plot Summary:
Keats' The Snowy Day follows a young boy named Peter on a winter day when snow has fallen. Peter is intrigued by the snow. As soon as he has eaten breakfast, he goes off crunching through the snow in his snowsuit. He plays in the snow and makes pattern with his feet. First with his feet pointed out and second with his feet dragging through the snow to make tracks. He takes a stick and makes tracks too. Next he uses the stick to smack the trees and makes the snow fall, which results in a head topped with snow for Peter.
Since he isn't old enough to join the older boys in a snowball fight, Peter makes a snowman and angels in the snow. He climbs up a hill of snow, like a mountain climber, and slides down it. As Peter heads home, he grabs some snow and puts it in his pocket, so he can play with it the next day. Once in his warm house, Peter regales his mother with his adventures. At bedtime, Peter checks his pocket for the snowball, but finds that it has melted. Heartbroken, Peter goes to bed and dreams of the sun melting away all the snow. To his joy, Peter awakens to another day of snow, which he goes out to enjoy with his neighbor.
Impressions:
This is a simple, sweet tale of a boy's snow day. The plot is basic and straightforward, so it makes for a quick read. What I most enjoy about the book were the pictures. I love all of the textures patterns colors that were used throughout the book. It looked almost as if each object were cut from a different piece of decorative paper and pasted together. It gave a charming feel to the pages. I was also thrilled that the snow was not just white, white and more white. Blues and pinks were mixed into the snow and gave a watercolor look to it. The snow looked a bit grungy, but I would still love to dive into it.
The Snowy Day is usually brought up because is was the first full-color picture book that featured an African-American lead character. Both of the articles from which I pulled reviews, go in to elaborate upon the significance of Keats book. Although the historical significance is an aspect that will keep The Snowy Day a staple in any library, the book will always be treasured because it epitomizes the wonder of a snowy day.
Reviews:
NPR Staff. (2012, January 28). 'The Snowy Day': Breaking Color Barriers, Quietly. Retrieved from http://www.npr.org/2012/01/28/145052896/the-snowy-day-breaking-color-barriers-quietly.
"'The point is that this is a beautiful book about a child's encounter with snow, and the wonder of it,' Pope says. Peter was among the first non-caricatured African-Americans to be featured in a major children's book. But Pope says Keats — who was white — wasn't necessarily trying to make a statement about race when he created Peter.
'He said, well, all the books he had ever illustrated, there had never been a child of color, and they're out there — they should be in the books, too,' Pope says. 'But was he trying to make a cause book, was he trying to make a point? No.'
That approach earned Keats a lot of criticism from civil rights leaders who felt he had not gone far enough. 'They were worried,' Pope says. 'This was a time when the African-American community was fighting for a place at the table, was fighting to be heard ... and in the past, when white authors had written about black characters, it had not done well. It was not good.'
But The Snowy Day became a huge hit. It won the Caldecott Medal, given to outstanding picture books. It was embraced by parents, teachers and children of all colors — and eventually the criticism subsided."
Gurdon, M.C. (2012, January 7). The Book That Broke the Color Line. Retrieved from http://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052970203513604577142642552328870
Reviews:
NPR Staff. (2012, January 28). 'The Snowy Day': Breaking Color Barriers, Quietly. Retrieved from http://www.npr.org/2012/01/28/145052896/the-snowy-day-breaking-color-barriers-quietly.
"'The point is that this is a beautiful book about a child's encounter with snow, and the wonder of it,' Pope says. Peter was among the first non-caricatured African-Americans to be featured in a major children's book. But Pope says Keats — who was white — wasn't necessarily trying to make a statement about race when he created Peter.
'He said, well, all the books he had ever illustrated, there had never been a child of color, and they're out there — they should be in the books, too,' Pope says. 'But was he trying to make a cause book, was he trying to make a point? No.'
That approach earned Keats a lot of criticism from civil rights leaders who felt he had not gone far enough. 'They were worried,' Pope says. 'This was a time when the African-American community was fighting for a place at the table, was fighting to be heard ... and in the past, when white authors had written about black characters, it had not done well. It was not good.'
But The Snowy Day became a huge hit. It won the Caldecott Medal, given to outstanding picture books. It was embraced by parents, teachers and children of all colors — and eventually the criticism subsided."
Gurdon, M.C. (2012, January 7). The Book That Broke the Color Line. Retrieved from http://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052970203513604577142642552328870
"The book remains beloved because Mr. Keats so beautifully captures the wonderment of a boy encountering his first snowfall."
Library Use Suggestions:
I chose this book as a further study for one purpose only: a story time. Prior to reading this book, I had been putting together a snow themed story time. I love dressing up in costume and I have an Elsa costume in my closet that I agreed to bust out for a story time revolving around snow. I didn't want to just go in reading Frozen books and spin-offs. I wanted to get classics, and this class dropped The Snowy Day right in my lap. The Snowy Day would be perfect for a story time talking about the winter or snow. It's a nice little trip through a winter day.
Library Use Suggestions:
I chose this book as a further study for one purpose only: a story time. Prior to reading this book, I had been putting together a snow themed story time. I love dressing up in costume and I have an Elsa costume in my closet that I agreed to bust out for a story time revolving around snow. I didn't want to just go in reading Frozen books and spin-offs. I wanted to get classics, and this class dropped The Snowy Day right in my lap. The Snowy Day would be perfect for a story time talking about the winter or snow. It's a nice little trip through a winter day.
Another use for The Snowy Day would be as part of a display or reading list during Black History Month. The younger children do not have as many books that tie into Black History Month as those who are older. This book has great significance in African American history and it could be a great way to introduce that part of history into the lives of the young children.
