The Snowy Day

Bibliography
Keats, E. L. (1962). The snowy day. Picture Puffin. ISBN 3118000004000

Summary
A brief look into one snowy day in young Peter's life. Peter tells of his adventures after waking up to a snow filled view from his bedroom window. His excitement is clearly seen as he ventures out into the snow to discover things like footprints, snowmen, snow angels, and snowballs only to bring to light that he can't hang on to it forever. 

Critical Analysis
Keat's writing is sweet and simple as he creates the character of Peter, the adventurous little boy who finds joy in the simple pleasures of Mother Nature. Peter is synonymous with the typical characteristics found in young children today. The mere fact that he thought he could save the snowball in his pocket until tomorrow just goes to show that children are sponges waiting to be filled with experiences and knowledge. 

The setting, portrayed by Keat's collage work, is a significant part of the story with it's entirety based on the snow that has collected outside Peter's city home. Keats uses a simple color palette with basic shapes that make it easy for young children to identify with. His writing style is fun yet thought provoking with his use of onomatopoeia "crunch, crunch, crunch..." and word play "s-l-o-w-l-y".

The Snowy Day is a benchmark in racial representation due to it featuring the first African-American protagonist in a full-color picture book published in 1962. It would be a great story to add to any young reader's collection. 

Review Excerpt
The Horn Book Magazine: "Perfect for a snowy day's preschool story hour"
Publishers Weekly: "pays homage to the wonder and pure pleasure a child experiences when the world is blanketed in snow"

Connections
-Students create a snowy day scene with all the elements found in the story using various craft supplies
-Students create a word map to describe snow using various adjectives and/or onomatopoeia
-Students discuss all the creative possibilities if we had a snowy day
-Similar book: 

Pinkney, A. D., Johnson, S., Fancher, L., & Waites, C. (2017). A poem for Peter: The story of Ezra Jack Keats and the creation of The snowy day. New York: Viking / Penguin Young Readers Group.

Roettger, D., & Keats, E. J. (1987). Whistle for Willie. Logan, IA: Perfection Form.


Rylant, C., & Robinson, C. (2016). Little penguins. New York: Schwartz & Wade Books.

Awards
Caldecott Award Book