In recent moments, while browsing Amazon Prime with my son, I stumbled upon an animated adaptation of the beloved children’s book, The Snowy Day, authored by Ezra Jack Keats. Memories flooded back of my childhood days, reading about Peter, a young boy clad in a vibrant red snowsuit, joyfully exploring the wonders of freshly fallen snow alongside my mother. Now, Peter and his iconic snowsuit are being honored with a series of four Forever stamps from the United States Postal Service, featuring memorable illustrations from Keats’s cherished tale. These stamps will be available individually or in a booklet of 20.
While many are familiar with Peter’s adventures, the backstory of his character remains lesser-known. The Snowy Day stands out as one of the pioneering illustrated children’s books to feature a black protagonist. Ezra Jack Keats, originally named Jacob Ezra Katz, was the son of Polish Jewish immigrants. When he penned The Snowy Day—his first book that he both wrote and illustrated—he had already gained experience as an illustrator. He had always included children and people of color in the background of his artwork, but none had taken center stage in their own narrative until Peter. This character was inspired by a photograph of a young black boy that Keats had saved from a magazine.
The timing of the book’s release in 1962 was significant, coinciding with a pivotal moment in American history when civil rights were at the forefront of national dialogue. By choosing to depict Peter as a black child, Keats provided representation for a community that often lacked positive portrayals in popular media. At that time, figures like Martin Luther King Jr. were not yet the icons they are today; the nation was witnessing the harsh realities of racial injustice as peaceful protesters faced violence. A story like The Snowy Day was essential for young black children, who were frequently reminded of their marginalization.
Children are profoundly influenced by imagery, and picture books are designed to reflect their experiences. It was crucial for black children to see characters that looked like them, rather than being told about their identities through text. The visibility of Peter in The Snowy Day empowered young readers to see themselves represented. As Deborah Cross, the executive director of the Ezra Jack Keats Foundation, recounted in an interview with NPR, “A teacher reached out to Ezra, saying, ‘For the first time, my students are using brown crayons to draw themselves.’” This transformation marked a significant shift in how African-American children saw themselves in literature.
Fifty-five years have passed since The Snowy Day first graced the shelves, and while there has been progress for black Americans, the fight for representation, especially in publishing, continues. Although there have been notable children’s and young adult books featuring black main characters, the number of works by authors of color remains insufficient. The journey towards equity in literature is ongoing, but none of it would have been possible without the impact of Peter and his iconic red snowsuit. The commemorative stamps will officially go on sale starting October 4, with pre-orders available online for those eager to commemorate this classic piece of literature.
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In summary, the release of commemorative stamps celebrating The Snowy Day serves as a tribute to the significant role that representation plays in children’s literature. This iconic book not only entertained generations but also paved the way for more inclusive narratives in the publishing world.