Written and Illustrated by Ezra Jack Keats
Published in 1962
Why we picked this book:
It is a classic, a Caldecott Award winner, and T received it as a birthday gift from his dad when he turned one. Now, almost two years later, he can play in the snow himself. And although our snowman is all but melted in the front yard today, we recently enjoyed snowy days like Peter's.
Mom's Review
A young boy plays in the snow alone all day.
This story follows Peter, a young child in a red snow suit, through the snow. He engages in common snow-play activities, such as making tracks, snow angels, a snowman, and knocking snow from a tree. Unfortunately, he does not yet fully understand the nature of snow, and brings a snowball home as a memento of his wonderful day. Despite the (un?)expected result, Keats's ending is uplifting - Peter can still enjoy the snow and look forward to new adventures.
This is a book beloved by many, with a sweet story and simple, pleasing artwork. It provides an easy template for toddlers who are not quite sure how to play in the snow at first. Our neighbor has a low tree, and T loves to smack it with a stick to make snow fall off onto his head so that he can be just like Peter. Aside from the art, the snow-play ideas, and the uplifting message that we can still be happy despite disappoints, Peter's living situation will appeal to apartment dwellers. At the end of this book, Peter "called to his friend from across the hall," making it clear that he lives in an apartment building. Readers who live in apartments will identify with Peter and appreciate the reference to friends living just down the hall.
Son's Review
(age: 2 years and 11 months)
while reading: "Snow angels! Hey, I do that!"
Mom: Did you like the book?
Son: I like it.
Mom: Why?
Son: Because I liked reading it.
[Okaaay. I know that it wouldn't fly if I answered his "why?" questions like that.]
Mom: What did you like about reading it?
Son: I liked that he lost his snowball because he would build a new snowball.
Mom: How did it make you feel?
(Several months ago T would become really sad when the snowball melted.)
Son: I like problem books because I like that they are about solving problems.
While he didn't exactly answer the feelings question, he was enthralled while we were reading it and smiled at the end when we started to talk about what he thought.
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