Why I Love This Book

When it was first published in 1962, The Snowy Day was considered groundbreaking. Keats was intentional about making the main character an African American child. The author had grown up in New York City, living among neighbors from a range of ethnic backgrounds. As an adult, he'd observed that none of these people of color appeared in children’s books that were being published at that time. Also missing  were stories set in urban settings.

Keats also received push back for assuming to understand a Black child when he himself was white.  Many believed Keats to be a Black man and were disappointed or shocked to learn that he was white. When ask why his protagonist was a Black child, Keats answered, " I put Black characters my books because they were there. They are inspired by the neighbors and friends I grew up with in Brooklyn. They'd always been there but were never represented in children's literature. 

​Click HERE for a child-friendly bio of Keats.
​
Themes
  • Urban Life
  • Growing Up
  • Seasons
  • Making Memories

Awards
  • Caldecott Medal 1963 - The Snowy Day
  • Caldecott Medal 1970- Goggles

Teachable Moments
This book offers multiple opportunities for learning that go far beyond what's printed on the page or seen in the illustrations. Here's a small sample:
  • Parts of a Book (Cover, Title, Author, Illustrator, Spine, End Papers...)
  • Character Traits - How would you describe Peter to someone that hasn't read the book?  
  • Art - ​Keats created the illustrations for this book using paint and collage methods.
  • Onomatopoeia-  This is the term for words that are what they sound like.  Here are a few examples from the story: crunch, plop, & smack
  • Order of Events /Plot- What did Peter do   first, next, and last.​
  • Science- Why did Peter's snowball melt?
Picture
 ​​ Click HERE to see what's included with each
​download purchased.
Please note that you are purchasing the resources only.

Subscribers receive 2 new titles delivered to their inbox each month
​ at a 20% discount off single purchases!
Ultimate Snow Day Kit $31.99

Beyond the Book Resources

​Each $3.99 Beyond the Book Download Includes:
  • Getting Started - an introduction to the Read it Again method
  • Comprehension Questions  -  A list of  questions that tap into different levels of understanding and foster conversations about the story
  • ​Vocabulary Flashcards - Along with the flashcards, you'll also receive ideas for putting the cards to use in multiple ways
  • Compare & Contrast Venn Diagram- What does this story have in common with another similar story and how does it differ?
  • Writing - We provide an image and story prompt designed to extend the theme of the story. No, we don't expect your child to write just yet. Instead, you can take down the dictation of the story your child tells.
  • Story Elements Page - Understanding what makes a story a story is an important skill.  This activity asks your child to identify the following: characters, setting, problem, solution, favorite part, and summary.
  • Cooking ideas related to the story
  • Art ideas related to the story
  • Links to  Great Games,  toys, manipulatives, and movies
  • Information on the Research behind ReaditAgain​
Important Note: This download does not include the book, only the resources listed above. The book may be purchased separately by clicking here. ​
It's really that simple...
​ One Great Story
 Multiple Readings
Fun & Educational Follow-up Activities
Subscribers receive 2 new titles in their inbox each month
​at a 20% discount off  the single purchase prices.

The Snowy Day

​Themed Toys

Adding an element of play is yet another way to deepen the understanding of the concepts introduced within the multiple readings of the story.  You'll be surprised at the amount of learning that's transferred and reinforced through  imaginative play.
​
Why I Love These Specific Playthings:
  • Each item has a direct connection to The Snowy Day.
  • There are no batteries.
  • They encourage imaginative play.
  • They make it easy to re-enact the story.
  • ​They take the learning another step forward.
Please note that these are affiliate links.
If you purchase anything through my  links, you won't pay a penny more, but I'll make a small commission which helps me keep the lights on.  ​

Make Your Own Snow Kit  $6.99

"Children are made readers on the laps of their parents." — Emilie Buchwald