Book Review for The Snowy Day

Book Review by Allie Davis
MLIS 5603 Literature for Children and Young Adults

BIBLIOGRAPHY
Keats, Ezra Jack. 2010. The Snowy Day. Ill. by Keats. New York, Scholastic, Inc. ISBN 0590733230

PLOT SUMMARY
Peter is a young African-American boy who wakes up one morning to see snow on the ground.  After eating and dressing appropriately,  he goes outside to play: making tracks in the snow, smacking trees with a stick, building a snowman,  making snow angels, and using his imagination.  He pretends to be a mountain climber on the snow and then slides down.  The climax and conflict are introduced when he is getting ready to go inside. He makes snowballs to play with later, but they melt when he sticks them in his pocket. When he discovers this, he is very sad.  The resolution to the conflict comes when he wakes up the next morning and there is still snow on the ground for him to play in with his friend.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS
     When assessing the plot of this Keats book, it could easily be assumed that the author's purpose for writing it is simply entertainment.  The deeper meanings that are subtly hinted at are deep within the context of the story itself so they do not come across as preachy, but rather get lost in the typical play of a snowy day.  Peter, the main character, learns he can play by himself without the older boys and still have a good time.  He also demonstrates knowledge in knowing how to play with others the next morning.  He learns that he does not have to have "something to do" all the time, but can use his imagination to make wonderful memories to think about.  Finally, Peter also learns that life goes on, even when sad things happen to you.  These themes are universal in context, things all people will recognize and relate to.  The author also makes use of onomatopoeia with sounds such as "Crunch, crunch, crunch" and "smacking" to gain and hold the reader's attention.  Slight juxtaposition is used to create contrasting moods in the story when Peter wakes up from his dream,"He dreamed that the sun had melted all the snow away, but when he woke up, his dream was gone.  The snow was still everywhere." All in all, the plot elements continue to intrigue new generations of readers.
     The illustrations are created using a  scrapbook-style technique in very vibrant colors.  They are done with layered images, one on top of the other, in almost a seamless manner.  On one page, the buildings are on top of the sky, the snow is on top of the buildings, the gate is on top of the snow, and Peter is standing between the gate posts.  They look much like construction paper images which creates interesting pages for young readers to look at, especially those accustomed to working with the construction paper medium.  They are style appropriate for the story, and create an energetic feel in the story which reflects Peter's adventures.

AWARDS

·       1963 Caldecott Medal

REVIEW EXCERPT(S)

·       Horn Book Guide, "Because of the boldness of Keats' graphic images, this classic story about a small boy experiencing the joys of a snowy day works well as a board book.  The shiny images even enhance the effect of the collage-like art..." © Copyright 2010.
·       Publisher’s Weekly "...The Snowy Day pays homage to the wonder and pure pleasure a child experiences when the world is blanketed in snow." (c) 1996

CONNECTIONS

Gather other Caldecott books to read such as:
·       Locomotive, ISBN 1416994157
·       Sleep Like a Tiger, ISBN 0547641028
·       Journey, ISBN 0763660531

Gather other Ezra Jack Keats books to read such as:

·       Whistle for Willie, ISBN 0670880469
·       Peter's Chair, ISBN 0140564411
·       Goggles, ISBN 00140564403

Use as an introduction to snow, creative play, feelings, discovery, or weather units.
Create snow ice cream and invite children to share memories of snow while eating it.
Create an art image using the same layered construction paper techniques Keats used.

Read also:

·       Livingston, Tim. Buddy and the Magic Chicken Tree. ISBN 0963575732
·       Britt, Jan. The Mitten. ISBN 0399231099
·       Buehner, Caralyn. Snowmen at Night. ISBN 0153524855