The Snowy Day

Outline

The Snowy Day (1962) follows a young boy named Peter as he explores his city neighbourhood after a snowfall. He makes tracks, knocks snow from a tree, builds a snowman, and tries to save a snowball in his pocket for later. Ezra Jack Keats’s simple story and striking collage illustrations capture the wonder of a child’s first snow, and the book became a landmark in children’s literature.

• The story follows a boy named Peter as he explores his city neighbourhood after a snowfall.
• Simple outdoor play, like making tracks, knocking snow from a tree and building a snowman, is a source of wonder.
• Peter tries to save a snowball in his pocket for later, a small moment that shows a child's hopes.
• Ezra Jack Keats pairs a simple story with striking collage illustrations to capture a child's first snow.
• Published in 1962, the book became a landmark in children's literature.

Ezra Jack Keats (1916–1983) was an American author and illustrator known for his collage art and stories set in city neighbourhoods. The Snowy Day won the Caldecott Medal and introduced Peter, who appears in several of his other books. His works include Whistle for Willie, Peter’s Chair, and A Letter to Amy.