mind-full's Full Review: Ezra Jack Keats - The Snowy Day
As a small child, I remember watching Captain Kangaroo every morning, not for Mr. Moose and Bunny Rabbit, or a visit with Mr. Green Jeans, but for the story that the good captain read each day with his warm, friendly voice. This is one of them.
A Story with Staying Power
The Snowy Day, by Ezra Jack Keats is one of my oldest and fondest reading memories. In my mind, I can still hear the smooth, inviting voice of Captain Kangaroo reading, " . . . the snow was piled up along the street to make a path for walking . . ." Wow. The word "path" is still one of my favorites and I have passed it on to Daughter of Mine who charms people with it.
Keats masterfully chooses the most appropriate wording for his stories. He has to -- there aren't many, yet they invoke memories, create new ones and paint so vivid a picture that they may stay in a reader's mind forever (30 years and counting, for me!).
A Few Flurries to Get Your Snowy Day Started
The Snowy Day takes a reader into the world of Peter (main character) for one day, a snowy one. From waking to snow outside his window in the morning, Peter takes readers along to enjoy the events of the day in good order, covering several experiences and emotions.
Walk along with Peter as his feet go "crunch, crunch, crunch" through the snow, and plan to make your own tracks in the snow (or mud!) as he does. What other things might make good tracks?
Play along with Peter after he passes the older children in the throes of a snowball fight -- too much for a child Peter's size -- a little disappointing not to be able to join the fun, but he'll find other diversions!
What does happen to snowballs that come inside for the night? Think about it along with Peter as he relaxes in the bathtub after a busy day in the snow, and then enter his dreams of snow melting during the night. But, just when you're feeling a little sad that he'll wake to a soggy, gray morning, the day dawns to the realization that not only didn't the snow melt, but "new snow was falling"!
On the last page of the story, your little reader may enjoy imagining that he/she is the friend by Peter's side as he heads out into a new day of adventure in the snow.
How Little Ones React
I've enjoyed reading The Snowy Day to Kindergarteners and watching their faces as they recognize Peter's (the main character) experiences and feelings. One doesn't even need snow on the ground or the hope of it -- with The Snowy Day, it's the feeling of empathy a child has at any point in the story that makes this book what it is. Kindergarteners, and even younger children have been where Peter is: too small to play with the big kids, hoping for snow (or for the rain to stop, or for rain to start, depending!). They've all held anticipation for something at some time and can express those feelings with the opportunity and a little assistance.
Children ask for this book at all times of year because it is fresh, detailed and simple to read and understand. We have taken The Snowy Day on road trips during the summer and Daughter pages through it with an expression of bliss on her little face. She sits with her little sunshade in the window to shield her from the summer rays as she enjoys the bright whiteness of snow contrasting with the reds, blues, greens, browns on the pages . . . it's a KIDS' book. No frills, just pure, child-centered story and complementary illustrations that allow even a non-reader or pre-reader to enjoy the story and "get it". You won't find fireworks, but The Snowy Day will captivate your child and have you remembering "when".
An Interactive Story -- Yet No Mouse Needed!
I read this story now, to my almost-four daughter and one-year old son and watch them interact with the words and pictures, actually touching the pages to "feel" the flying snowballs or "feel" the wet pocket on Peter's coat (what did happen to the snowball?). If we're lucky, we'll have our own snow outside for creating our own snow angels, and feel the thrill of waking in the early morning to discover the snow still outside with more coming!
One of my favorite "interactive" parts of The Snowy Day occurs without even opening the book, for when encountering a part of life that she recognizes from The Snowy Day, Daughter pipes, "Hey! This is just like in The Snowy Day!"
You Don't Need Mittens or a Warm Coat to Enjoy a Snowy Day
Snowy days are part of the lives of everyone, whether real, imagined or hoped for. Peter and his adventures in and with the snow, represents the simplistic yet meaningful thoughts and actions of all children, whether they've ever been snowbound or not. Children can relate to Peter in his excitement, successes, disappointments and innocence.
Ezra Jack Keats, author/illustrator of several of the simplest yet most poignant children's books ever published, puts together a whole day in the confines of a children's picture book. The illustrations follow the story and help the reader/listener to go a little farther than the words take them. Children can't wait to demonstrate or explain the passages:
" . . . He walked with his toes pointing in, like this . . . "
"He wanted to join the big boys in their snowball fight, but he knew he wasn't old enough . . . not yet."
"Down fell the snow -- PLOP -- on top of Peter's head."
" . . . and he made angels . . . "
"He looked in his pocket. The snowball wasn't there!"
Whether you've read the story before or not, these passages probably spark something in your memory and will create memories in the child who shares The Snowy Day.
Drift In to These Sites for Your Copy
You may find The Snowy Day (by Ezra Jack Keats) at
for a range of prices, depending on format (board book, soft cover, hard cover).
I recommend a board book for the sake of travel purposes as well as for reading at home (although for my collection, I have a hardcover copy, too). The board book version loses nothing in the illustrations or story, and lets you tuck it into a diaper bag, purse of backpack with room to spare.
The Snowy Day makes a great gift for any child, as well as for teachers at the primary level, and for nursery/pre-school classrooms.
May you and your child have many "snowy days" in your future -- whether you live where it snows or not.
No book has captured the magic and sense of possibility of the first snowfall better than The Snowy Day. Universal in its appeal, the story has become...More at HotBookSale
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 awarenes...More at Buy.com Marketplaces
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