The Snowy Day

Author: Ezra Jack Keats

This is a really great winter read for teachers and parents alike. Keats is masterful in creating a fun day in the snow, full of events and choices that children can relate to. The fact that this book won the Caldecott Award also goes a long way in vouching for credibility.

There are also many opportunities for discussion based on the text, particularly those dealing with science through explaining cause and effect relationships within the text or hypothesizing what may happen next after a certain event. As a teacher, I see this story as a good primer for actually going outside and trying some of the activities Peter enjoys in the book. An excellent follow-up would be a winter craft, such as shaving cream art.

All in all, I would highly recommend this story for your personal collection, as it is one that can be enjoyed again and again. As children age beyond the discovery phase, I'm sure they will reach a nostalgic position as they remember when they were small and enjoyed the simple magic of a snowy day.

Overall Rating: 5 of 5 Stars