Book Review: THE SNOWY DAY by Ezra Jack Keats

Book Review The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats

1.     BIBLIOGRAPHY

Keats, Ezra Jack. The Snowy Day. New York: Viking Press, 1962. ISBN: 067001270X

2.  PLOT SUMMARY

Overnight the world is transformed into a snow-covered wonderland. Peter, a young boy, spends his day exploring and interacting with the snow, making tracks and snow angels; watching in a snowball fight; conquering a snow mountain; and even slipping some snowballs into his pocket to save for a later moment. Peter later finds that although the snowballs didn’t survive the indoor temperatures, the snow lingers for another day of adventure.

3.     CRITICAL ANALYSIS

Ezra Jack Keats’ illustrations capture the joy of a young boy playing in the first snowfall of winter. His artwork has incredible texture created through collage combined with watercolor. Each illustration is a masterpiece, visually engrossing the reader in first the pictures, and thereafter the text. It feels as though the reader should be able to touch the snow and feel its iciness seep into his fingertips. The collage work also adds dimension to the story, making it seem also three dimensional rather than flat on the page.

The story itself is simple, detailing common snowy day activities. Peter experiments with making a variety of tracks in the unbroken snow. He builds snowmen. He makes snow angels. He wishes he were old enough to play with the big boys. And of course, like many small boys, he experiments with smuggling snowballs into the house, only to find them melted when he checks on them at bedtime. The very simplicity of the story makes it possible for the reader to relate to.

Both the illustrations and the text in The Snowy Day invite the reader to explore their dreams and memories of a snow-covered wonderland. Ezra Jack Keats captured this moment of joy and wonder perfectly.

4. REVIEW EXCERPT(S)

CALDECOTT MEDAL WINNER

HORNBOOK REVIEW: "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."

BOOKLIST: “...graceful animation brings to life the joyful experiences of a small boy on a snowy day.”

5. CONNECTIONS

*This book would serve well as a springboard to a discussion about winter and winter activities.

*Compare The Snowy Day with other books written and illustrated by Ezra Jack Keats. Look for similarities and differences in illustration techniques. Compare those to his illustrations for books written by other authors.  

*Other books with collage as the medium of illustration:

Baker, Jeannie. MIRROR. ISBN 0763648485

Carle, Eric. THE VERY HUNGRY CATAPILLER. ISBN: 0399226907