Today is the birthday of children’s author and illustrator, Ezra Jack Keats. Keats is known for more than twenty books he wrote and illustrated, in addition to many more he illustrated for others. He was a favorite read, especially on a snowy day, when our girls were growing up, and he is still is a favorite of mine.
The first book Ezra Jack Keats wrote and illustrated himself , “The Snowy Day”, was published in 1962. It was awarded the Caldecott Medal for children’s literature in 1963. It was followed by several other books about the little boy you see here on the cover, Peter, and many other books that have entertained and honored childhood for fifty years. “
The Snowy Day” is a simple story of a little boy on a snowy day in the middle of a very big city. It was remarkable for its time in that it was one of the first books for children that depicted a child of color. It remains a classic today.
I was first introduced to Peter on a snowy of my own, in a children’s literature class in college. My “kiddie lit” teacher was a diminutive woman who was often seen carrying teetering piles of children’s picture books out of her office, the Normal Public Library, and the Milner Library on our campus. Her love of children’s books, authors and illustrators and her dedication to bringing literature alive for youngsters in a meaningful way by teaching elementary education majors was contagious (though I had a lingering case of kiddie lit fever from the time I learned to love books on my grandmother’s lap).
When our darling grandson was born, his parents chose the name of Ezra. I could always tell who the elementary school teachers were when I said our grandson’s name was Ezra, for they all said, with gleeful enthusiasm, Ezra Jack Keats!
Our Ezra’s middle name is Petros, the Biblical Greek for Peter. Peter was my father’s name and I will be forever touched by their honoring him so.
Peter and Petros and Ezra and snowy days; they all seemed to float together today like our recent flurry of snowflakes. I was excited learn that today was Mr. Keats’ birthday and I look forward to one day reading some of Ezra’s books to our very own Ezra.
There is a fabulous website about Ezra Jack Keats, his life, his books, his illustrations and more. If you have the time, click on in celebration of his birthday – and of children everywhere. www.ezra-jack-keats.org/introduction/a-biography/
I love this post! This was one of my daughter Molly’s favorite books and now it is one of my granddaughter Lucy’s favorites! It captures the essence of a child’s love of snow, which none of us ever really forgets.
I’m so glad you did, Deborah. Isn’t it wonderful when a book can continue to capture imaginations through the generations like this one does?
I too was introduced to Ezra Jack Keats in Kiddie Lit. I remember the class but not the teacher. I believe you and I took it at different times. I love the books he wrote and have noticed that some of his stories are included in the basal reader anthologies that are still used in our school. The kids still love them. I hope they are included in some of the newer series as well. I am sure I know a Yia Yia who will be buying some books soon for a grandson. Love this post.
You took kiddie lit the semester before me, Janet – and I couldn’t wait to take it after you had. We may have had a different teacher (wish I could remember her name – I loved her). All of his books are wonderful. I’m thinking right now of “Goggles”. Did you go to the link for the website? There is a wonderful biography of Keats there. I didn’t know he did murals for the WPA during the Depression. Thank you, Janet. You are forevermore my kindred spirit in many things, especially children’s literature.
Penny, I’ve never even heard of Ezra Jack Keats, and I was a child of that era. Thank you for bringing him to my attention. It will be great to get some of his books for Cooper. He loves to be read to, and I love reading to him.
Thank you again.
You are so very welcome, Andra. Check on the link to the website as he wrote many wonderful books that will be great ones for Chandler. I hope you BOTH enjoy Ezra Jack Keats.
What lovely connections Penny. I like the vibrant colours and simple design of the book cover – not an author I’ve ever heard of, but he will be on my radar now. How exciting it will be for little Ezra to have stories read to him by another Ezra.
I hope you will find some of Keats books there in NZ, Juliet. His illustrations are wonderful and he covers a bevy of subjects for young children, especially little “monkeys” like Mira.
It’s funny that I didn’t think of Ezra Keats when you first mentioned your darling’s name. I went directly to the biblical name, but I love to read Whistle for Willie and Pet Show. I think those may be the only two I own, but Snowy Day relates back to my previous comments about children in my classroom not particularly relating to snow. LOL! Maybe I should have known about and read them that book! I definitely hope my granddaughters will never forget how much I have read to them. And now Sophia is starting to read and I’m so thrilled with this emerging ability. This is a lovely post, Penny. I love how you stay tuned into Children’s Lit. It’s always a great reminder to me.
And fitting that you did, Debra, as his name was taken from the Bible. Whistle for Willie – I’d forgotten that one and will admit to not having read Pet Show. Isn’t it fun to have our continued discoveries? I think The Snowy Day is likely more read in the northern climes where snow, especially snow in the city, is common. How fun that Sophia is learning to read – and I’m certain she will remember you reading to her and her sister. Thank you, Debra. I seem to be a child at heart and do keep younger books about me.
Its new to me…. and I know I am going to love it…. and Liam and Dexter, Clark and Izzie ( and the bump we only learned about this week ) will love it too. Thanks Penny.x
Oh, a bump! How exciting that is, Janice. Keats wrote and illustrated so many good books that I’m sure all the children will love him. Enjoy!
Lovely post and link! These books will make wonderful gifts for your own Ezra! Lucky yia yia (I hope I spelled that right). And lucky blessed child with both the wonderful names!
Thank you, Sallie. Ezra does have this one and I’m sure more will follow. You did spell yia yia right. I’m impressed you remembered.
If I had a penny for every time I read this book to our sons………… but then I could say that about a lot of books. If I remember correctly, The Snowy Day was a softcover, not all that thick, but much loved. Thanks for reminding me of it. Our grandchildren are much too old for it to appeal, but perhaps granddaughter would like it for her classroom.
I know what you mean, Joyce. Our piggy banks would be quite heavy, wouldn’t they? The Snowy Day is a short book, and ours was softcover as well. It is such a sweet story with just enough words to hear them and not too many to cloud imaginations.
I have never heard of this particular Keats, Penny! Thank you for the introduction.
It is a good one to read on a snowy day, Kate, though there are many others by Keats a well. Yes. A different Keats – but a notable one, just the same.
In New York City there is a city wide book design contest for students, elementary through high school, with a winner in each age group and an overall winner, in honor of Ezra Jack Keats. I am proud to say that my daughter’s student won the overall prize. The work is an astonishing pop-up book. I wish I could figure out how to link the video of it here. Ezra would be proud!
Thank you for letting us know about this design contest honoring Ezra Jack Keats. What a fantastic initiative for students and teachers, and what an amazing prize for your daughter’s student. I can just imagine how proud you feel of your daughter, and rightly so.I’m sure she is amazing teacher. I have several pop-up books, appreciating not only the art work, but, the mechanics of putting one together. Indeed, Ezra would be proud. I’m so thrilled that you commented.
You can try copying then pasting the link on the comment section here. I could then do the same in my browser and see if that works. I would love to see it.
I think you can see my email address so please email yours to me and I will have my daughter email you the video she made of the book. Her name is Leslie Bernstein in case you wonder what a strange email is doing in your in box!
I just discovered your blog through Booksnob’s blog and am enjoying it very much.
I love children’s books but I have to say I was not familiar with this author or his books until reading your post. Your grandson has a great name (Petros, included!) and I’m sure between you reading to him and his name, he will grow up with an attachment to this author!
He does have a great name, Janet, and I’m sure he will come to know Ezra Jack Keat’s many books. I’m sure we will be reading many of the stories Keats wrote about.