While browsing for kid-friendly videos on Amazon Prime with my little one, I stumbled upon the animated adaptation of The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats. It took me down memory lane, reminding me of the times I would curl up with my mom, flipping through the pages of the adventures of Peter, the boy in the bright red snowsuit, as he explored the winter wonderland.
Now, Peter and his iconic outfit are being honored with a set of four Forever stamps from the United States Postal Service. These delightful stamps, showcasing memorable scenes from Keats’s beloved book, will be available both individually and in a collectible book of 20.
While many are familiar with Peter’s charming escapades, fewer know the significance behind his character. The Snowy Day stands out as one of the pioneering illustrated children’s books featuring a black protagonist.
Ezra Jack Keats, born Jacob Ezra Katz, was the child of Polish Jewish immigrants. By the time he penned The Snowy Day, which he both wrote and illustrated, he had already spent years honing his skills as an illustrator. Though his previous works often included children of color in the background, they had never taken center stage. Peter was inspired by a photograph of a young black boy that Keats had saved from a magazine.
Published in 1962, during a critical time in the Civil Rights Movement, The Snowy Day served as a beacon for black youth who were largely underrepresented in media. At that time, the image of Martin Luther King Jr. was not yet the idolized figure he is today; he had just delivered his “I Have a Dream” speech a year later. Children witnessed the brutalities against their community, making a book like The Snowy Day crucial for instilling a sense of pride and representation.
Children are visual learners, and picture books are designed to reflect their realities. It was vital for black children to see characters that looked like them in stories. By featuring Peter, Keats empowered countless children to envision themselves in vibrant narratives. Representation matters.
Keats aimed his work at children rather than adults. Deborah Lane, director of the Ezra Jack Keats Foundation, recalls a teacher reaching out to Keats, thrilled that her students had started using brown crayons to draw themselves. Before this, they had opted for pink – not the most accurate reflection of their identities. Peter’s adventures continued in several subsequent books, including Whistles for Willie.
Fast forward 55 years since the release of The Snowy Day, and while progress has been made, the fight for representation in publishing continues. There are still far too few books featuring children of color, especially those authored by people of color.
Despite the journey ahead, we owe much to Peter and his red snowsuit. It’s a fitting tribute to celebrate this classic with commemorative stamps available starting October 4, or you can pre-order them online. This is certainly an exciting way to commemorate a timeless piece of literature.
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In summary, the release of commemorative stamps for The Snowy Day not only honors a beloved classic but also reminds us of the critical importance of representation in children’s literature.