The Snowy Day

Kids loved this book. Classic.

This book challenges the assumption that more is better, bringing back memories of my own easy-going childhood. Ezra Keats is remarkable in his ability to create a story that so many people can relate too and the books illustrations also manage to pull you back into your own childhood memories and moments of wonder at snow. His artwork is spare yet the pictures burst with brilliant color and expression. In many of the pictures, Peter lacks facial features except his eyes, but Keats manages, with the angle of his head and the composition, to convey feeling. The text, similarly economical, is made up of just enough words to tell the story -- none of them too hard for a young reader to sound out or for a young listener to understand -- and they are vivid words used powerfully, often rhyming or repeating. The result is that kids (and parents too!) can settle into Peter's snowy world. A bonus in this sparkling story is the African-American main character -- an all-too-rare occurrence, still, in children's literature. I try to expose my child to a diverse array of characters in his story books and am still left disheartened when I return from the book store because, unfortunately there really are too few choices that are quality stories that both the adult and child can enjoy reading. This is one of those books. The story is engaging and still simple enough that a child can follow along.

Such a wonderful book!

A must-have book for anyone of any age! Find out what happens on a snowy day for one adventurous little boy, who loves to play in the snow. The illustrations are unique and captivating, and blessed readers with the eclectic artwork and storytelling of Keats. This book is very special to me, as I was recently nominated for the 2015 Ezra Jack Keats Award for new author of the year. When I read this book, my heart swells with appreciation for the work of this man, and that I am even being considered for an award bearing his name. He was indeed a pioneer of children's books in his own right. I especially liked the chance at the end of the book, to get to read about and see how the book became the award winner that it is. His unique ability to transform words and art into captivating children's stories is phenomenal. I am grateful for his part in the paving of the literary road, so that new authors like me can use his works to continually inspire us to write from the heart, and through the loving, imaginative eyes of a child. If ever I feel doubtful in my own writing career, I will always read his books and remember that his name is synonymous with greatness. To even be considered for an award with his name on it, has indeed changed my life as a person and a writer. I hope my writing career will make him proud, that I was considered for his namesake award.

This is an easy review to write, as there is nothing I dislike about "The Snowy Day." Although it was published in 1962, it is still as fresh and new as, well, newly-fallen snow. Keats knew how to tell a story well, in both words and through his beautiful and colorful images. It is a perfect children's book, because it is written from their point of view, imbued with their unalloyed sense of wonder and enchantment. Most importantly, I think, is that Keats' main character, Peter, is a little African-American boy, who lives in an urban setting. Peter is neither caricatured nor is he a symbol of or vehicle for speaking about social issues, which would have been very easy to do at the time it was written. Instead, it is a timeless story about a young child discovering snow for the first time and trying to understand its mysterious nature. Although Peter does not fully comprehend snow, he enjoys experiencing it just the same. In simple and direct prose, Keats captures and conveys what it is like to be very young and to encounter the beauty and mystery of the natural world, even in an urban setting. I plan to read this book to the younger children in my church's Sunday school...but it's really for me.

This is my favorite book!

My little one loves this book it is just like the tv movie

This is delightfully simple story about a boy’s adventures on a snowy day. It’s a universal story of childhood wonder and fun, artfully illustrated. It’s a perennial favorite for generations with good reason. It belongs in the pantheon of Children’s literature.

Bought this as a board book for a young relative of mine. I had this book as a small child and remember loving it!

Bello e colorato ovviamente in inglese

Vor allem durch die Geschehnisse der letzten Wochen in den USA ist uns bewusst geworden, dass wir genau 0 Bücher haben, in denen auch Kinder mit anderen ethnischen Hintergründen vorkommen. Es ist bewiesen, dass die Bevorzugung der eigenen "Farbe" schon im Säuglingsalter beginnt und Kinder auch schon im Kleinkindalter lieber mit Anderen spielen die ihnen am ähnlichsten sind, so beginnt Rassismus. Es ist aber auch schon belegt, dass man dem entgegen wirken kann, indem man Kinder von Anfang an multikulturellen "Möglichkeiten" aussetzt. Gesagt, getan, Bücher, Filme, Spiele gesucht und gekauft die auch endlich mal andere Kinder in den Vordergund rücken. Unser 2 Jähriger sieht endlich auch afrikanische, asiatische, indische, etc. Kinder die ihre Abenteuer erleben und Geschichten erzählen. Er sieht, dass es normal ist, und dass es mehr als "nur" uns gibt. Dieses Buch ist ein kleines Buch mit Kartonseiten die bestimmt viel aushalten. Man kann sie auch schon einem kleinen Kind schenken. Es geht um Peter, der das erste Mal Schnee erlebt und sich Abenteuer vorstellt. Es ist sehr süß gemacht und wir werden definitiv wieder Bücher von diesem Autor kaufen. Unser Sohn liebt Bücher, er hat das Buch bekommen und er hat gleich nach dem fertig lesen wieder zum Anfang geblättert und von Vorne angefangen. Er liebt Peters Abenteuer und ich freue mich schon sehr auf die nächsten Bücher die wir bestellt haben.

The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats is a beautifully illustrated and heartwarming story that perfectly captures the joy and wonder of a child experiencing a snowy day. Pros: ✅ Beautiful, Timeless Illustrations – The artwork is simple yet striking, with bold colors and unique textures that make every page a delight. ✅ Relatable & Wholesome Story – The book follows Peter, a young boy exploring his neighborhood after a snowfall. His adventures, from making footprints to building snowmen, resonate with children and evoke nostalgia in adults. ✅ Encourages Imagination & Exploration – The story inspires kids to engage with nature and find joy in simple moments. ✅ Diverse Representation – First published in 1962, this book was groundbreaking for featuring an African American child as the protagonist in a mainstream picture book. It remains an important and inclusive classic. ✅ Perfect for Young Readers – The language is simple, making it a great choice for early readers or bedtime stories. Cons: ⚠️ A Quick Read – The book is fairly short, so some kids might want more story time. However, its charm makes it easy to read over and over again. Final Verdict: ⭐ 5/5 Stars – The Snowy Day is a must-have classic for any child’s library. It’s a gentle, joyful, and beautifully illustrated book that perfectly captures the excitement of winter. Whether for a bedtime story or a cozy winter read, this book is a wonderful addition to any collection!

Lovely book, my child loves it!