The Snowy Day and the Art of Ezra Jack Keats: Explore the Author-Illustrator's Amazing Legacy at the Jewish Museum
Submitted by Stephanie Ogozalek on
Ezra Jack Keats’ kid-lit classic The Snowy Day turns 50 in 2012, and it's the focus of a brand-new exhibit at the Jewish Museum: The Snowy Day and the Art of Ezra Jack Keats. For those unfamiliar with the 1962 picture book, it's about an adorable red-hooded boy named Peter who spends a day exploring his snow-filled neighborhood. When it was released, readers were charmed by its simple story and colorful illustrations. But most importantly, The Snowy Day was the first children's book published in the United States to feature a main character who was African-American.
As a child, The Snowy Day made a lasting impression on me. Keats' gritty city setting spoke to me, and opened my suburban eyes to the world beyond my grassy lawn. (It's a big reason I fell in love with New York City.) The book also captures this feeling of childlike wonder, as Peter explores his block solo—something my elementary-school-aged son and his peers don't do these days.
The Snowy Day and the Art of Ezra Jack Keats is a wonderful way to examine Keats' bold collages. Although the show itself isn't aimed at kids—most of it is hands off—there's a lovely reading room, and some great family events and art workshops happening in conjunction with the exhibit.