Book Title: The Snowy Day

written by Ezra Jack Keats
illustrated by Ezra Jack Keats
published by Viking, ©1962 (various since then)

Caldecott Medal Winner, 1963

This morning, the American Library Association announced its Youth Media Awards for 2011, which recognizes “the best” children’s book in a specific category. Among the most recognized of these awards is the Randolph Caldecott Medal and John Newbery Medal. The Eastern half of the United States also happens to be in the midst of an historic winter. So the timing couldn’t be better for talking about an award-winning book for a snowy day.

Book Details

audience: Children’s Book, ages 1 to 6
format: Children’s Picture Book
topics: Snow, winter, urban living, African Americans, multiculturalism, award-winning books, exploration, imagination, nature

Story Summary

Peter wakes up to find that it snowed overnight. Lots of adventures await him as he explores his everyday world covered with a blanket of snow. Join him as he ventures outside to play and discover its wonders.

What Makes it Old School (and Timeless)

When you say “snow” I instantly think of this book. It is the quintessential expression of winter for a child … from the awe of seeing a world covered in white to the melted snowball in Peter’s pocket. The story is written in such a way that you’ll use all your senses and enjoy the day just like Peter.

The illustrations are original and the pieces of the story are familiar and yet new, too. Peter is a wonderful character. Kids can see themselves now and we can remember ourselves then. The seasons may change, but some things from our childhood never do.

This is a picture book that all ages can appreciate, share, and enjoy. It is the comfort of hot cocoa on a winter’s day.

Guest Author Notes for this book review

This post is written by Terry Doherty, Founder and Executive Director of The Reading Tub, a nonprofit for family literacy. One of the organization’s goals is to offer reviews of children’s books that parents will want to share with their kids. Year in and year out she and her volunteers read hundreds of children’s books. Many come from publishers, but plenty come from the public or school library, as well as our own shelves.

The Backlist lets us share books that have been around for at least a year, and you may not have heard about. Most importantly, these are the books you’ll never tire of reading with your kids and grandkids. This is a children’s book you’d buy for yourself and/or other people.

To write your own guest post on Comluv, visit the ‘write for us‘ page to see how. It can be to the subject of your own blog or even a review of a children’s book like this post.