I’m pretty sure you’ve heard about the The Snowy Day book by Ezra Jack Keats. It’s such a simple, beautiful, book. It’s also the New York Public Library’s most circulated book in its 125 year history. Earlier this year I got a new library card just so I could have the special edition library card they made to mark their quasquicentennial anniversary (Mom helped me with that big word). I love this book!
First written and illustrated by Keats in 1962, The Snowy Day book is about an African-American boy named Peter who explores his neighborhood with wonder and joy after the season’s first snowfall. Keats received the 1963 Caldecott Medal for his collage artwork, which made The Snowy Day the first picture book with an African American protagonist to win a major children’s award.
This book uses short sentences and lots of white snow imagery. It’s fun to see Peter discovering things — like the sound of the snow when he puts his foot down. I love how Peter plays in the snow, with pointing his feet in and out. And I really love how he loves his day so much he tries to keep a souvenir in his pocket. I felt sad when he discovered he’d lost his prized possession but happy when the next day he woke up and the world was full of possibilities again.
Mom loves how this book focuses on the big wonder and amazement one can find in the little things. She says right now everyone might benefit from reading this book. And then, after she said that, we read it three more times.
Buy the Book on Amazon OR Buy the Book on Bookshop
Do you remember the first time you saw or touched snow? Tell me about it on social media:
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DOWNLOAD FREE SNOWY DAY PRINTABLES
Solve a Maze – And get a boy like Peter through the snow and into his warm home.
Write the letter S— Trace lines to write upper case S and lower case s, like snow!
HAVE SOME BOOK-INSPIRED FUN! Play a footprints in the snow role playing activity for preschoolers
CRAFT VIDEO: Make your own paper snowman using items your probably already have at home
FIND MANY FREE ACTIVITIES AND LESSON PLANS AT THE EZRA JACK KEATS FOUNDATION’S WEBSITE – they have their own YouTube channel with a playlist just for The Snowy Day too!
Sign this quirky “Save the Snow Day” Pledge and/or download this super fun free coloring sheet, it’s part of a Campbell’s Soup campaign that seems right in line with Peter’s snowy day of fun.
PS – To continue the wintry/holiday theme, download our free special holiday activity book with more preschool worksheets and hours of holiday fun!
TALKING POINTS
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What was your favorite part of the book? Why?
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Where do you think the story takes place? Why do you think this?
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What are some ways you are like Peter?
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Do you remember waking up to a snowy day? What was it like? What did you do?
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Have you ever held snow? What was it like?
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Why do you think the snowball in Peter’s pocket wasn’t there when he checked before bed?
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Can you name something else that melts?
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Can you think of a way Peter could have saved his snowball?
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Is there anything in this book that you’d like to talk about?
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Is there anything in this book that you didn’t understand?
USEFUL INFO FOR GROWN UPS:
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Book: The Snowy Day
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Written and illustrated by Ezra Jack Keats
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Age Range: 3 to 5
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Board Book: 16 pages
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Publisher: Viking Books for Young Readers (January 01, 1996)
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ISBN-978-0140501827
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