The Snowy Day

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The Snowy Day, a 1963 Caldecott Medal winner, is the simple tale of a boy waking up to discover that snow has fallen during the night. Keats's illustrations, using cut-outs, watercolors, and collage, are strikingly beautiful in their understated color and composition. The tranquil story mirrors the calm presence of the paintings, and both exude the silence of a freshly snow-covered landscape. The little boy celebrates the snow-draped city with a day of humble adventures--experimenting with footprints, knocking snow from a tree, creating snow angels, and trying to save a snowball for the next day. Awakening to a winter wonderland is an ageless, ever-magical experience, and one made nearly visceral by Keats's gentle tribute.

The book is notable not only for its lovely artwork and tone, but also for its importance as a trailblazer. According to Horn Book magazine, The Snowy Day was "the very first full-color picture book to feature a small black hero"--yet another reason to add this classic to your shelves. It's as unique and special as a snowflake.

Book Description

No book has captured the magic and sense of possibility of the first snowfall better than The Snowy Day. Universal in its appeal, the story has become a favorite of millions, as it reveals a child's wonder at a new world, and the hope of capturing and keeping that wonder forever.

Customer Reviews:

Great Classic.......2007-10-17

My kids love it just as much as I did when my mom read it to me.

Can't go wrong.......2007-08-01

You can't go wrong with a Keats book. The collage art work is super interesting and the multicultural aspects of the book are wonderful. This is a great winter book.

The Joy of being a Little Boy.......2007-06-29

"The Snowy Day" was the first book written by Ezra Jack Keats (formerly Katz). It was the winner of the Caldecott Medal in 1963, was cited by the NY Public Library as one of the 100 most influential books of the 20th century in 1996, won a citation from the Brooklyn Art Books for children in 1973 and was chosen by the US State Department for its Touring Collection in 1971. The author Keats grew up in Brooklyn and changed his name from Katz to Keats after World War II. Because of the discrimination he faced, he became the first American picture book maker to give a black child a major role in children's books and literature.

Keats was inspired to write this book and develop the central character of Peter (a boy in this book about four) because he had become so enchanted with a photograph of a small boy in Life magazine. He cut out these pictures and put them on his studio walls. This boy in the magazine developed into Keat's character named Peter. Peter would become the main character in six more books until he was portrayed as a young adolescent in "Pet Show".

This is a lovely book which has Peter waking up to a "world of snowy white" delighted with the new snow and his day of playing with snowballs, making snowmen and angels and dreaming of another new day (although he feared that the snow would have melted over night). To Peter's delight, he woke up on the second day to even more new snow. The book is delightful. I loved the part where Peter, just being filled with the joy of being a little boy, tried to capture the day and the snow by putting it in his pocket so that he could take it inside when he has to go into his house.

Keats writes, "Before he got into bed, he looked in his pocket. His pocket was empty. The snowball wasn't there. He felt very sad." What a delight when the little boy is once again filled with joy the next day discovering that the snow is still there as well as some new cover.

This is a wonderful book to experience for any young child. Keeping that wonder alive in a child so that they look at the world with the eyes of Peter embracing each new day is awesome. There are lessons to be taught in the book as well about diversity, friendship, hope, love, being patient about growing up and being able to enjoy the moment and seize the day.

Keats summed up the purpose for writing this book and series with this statement: "Just to get the feeling of this wonderful little boy. I wanted to convey the joy of being a little boy alive on a certain kind of day - of being for that moment -The air is cold, you touch the snow, aware of the things to which all children are so open."

A very sweet book.

Bentley/2007

The Snowy Day

An Instant Favorite at our House.......2007-04-15

I recently bought this for my 2 year-old son, and he immediately fell in love with it. It's a lovely little story about a relatively uneventful day in the life a young boy. It perfectly captures the mood of the first day of a major snowfall-quiet, magical, and peaceful--even in a bustling urban environment. It's amazing how a story with so few words can so beautifully convey the spirit and wonder of the mind of a little boy. My son particularly loves when Peter knocks some snow on his head and when he tries to save a snowball in his pocket.

good one.......2007-03-16

I don't like the prints and pictures very much. But my son doesn't mind. He likes it!

Average customer rating:

Well Loved Classic Poem
Provides for an Interactive Story Time
An Old Favorite, Well Done
Great Book for Babies, Kids and Adults to Share!
An excellent rendition!

Over in the Meadow (Picture Books)
Ezra Jack Keats
Manufacturer: Puffin
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0140565086

Book Description

Welcome to a lush meadow bustling with activity, where one turtle digs, two fish swim, three bluebirds sing, and so on to ten fireflies that shine in the night. Keats's collage-style illustrations perfectly complement this classic Appalachian counting rhyme, which is also a popular song for toddlers.

Customer Reviews:

Well Loved Classic Poem.......2007-07-22

Reading this sweet poetry aloud to young children and having them respond to the rhyming has been a delightful activity of mine for thirty years. As mom, teacher and now librarian I have never encountered an unappreciative audience. The illustrations are delightfull, especially the fire flies on the last page. The sounds of the poem are fun for the listener while at the same time relaxing,even soothing.This version is the best.

Provides for an Interactive Story Time.......2006-10-23

This is my most favorite rendition (Ezra Jack Keats, Illustrator). I believe different versions of this picture book use different verses from the original poem by Olive Wadsworth since they include different creatures. I've been using this particular version for years.

This story (regardless the rendition) provides for interactive story telling as kids like to guess what number comes next before you turn the page. If it doesn't come natural to them, simply prompt them.

I began sharing this story with a Scholastic edition which had a read-along cassette with a musical re-telling (I highly recommend it). Now, I sing this text and the kids provide the turn the page signals (I prompt them to hum the tune that was used on that Scholastic cassette, now CD).

A counting story, a story in rhyme. Playful.

An Old Favorite, Well Done.......2005-05-25

There are many, many different illustrations of these verses, but Mr. Keats has certainly done an excellent job of making his book distinctive.

Whereas most of the other books have pastel, baby-style, cartoonish drawings, this book is done in a 'more mature' style, using watercolors in a darker palette. [I would direct you to the Amazon "Search Inside this book" feature but ironically it doesn't seem to be working. Instead take a look at the turtle on the back cover to get an idea.]

Five Stars. A classic rhyme with distinctive artwork. This is a book for preschoolers and kindergarteners, etc. that well may be weary of babish artwork.

Great Book for Babies, Kids and Adults to Share!.......2003-05-01

We love this book! I hope it never ever goes out of print. We started reading it with our son when he was about 11 months old. He loved the rhythms and we all loved the illustrations. It is beautiful to look at while you read. Now our son is almost two and I find that this book just gets better and better for us to read. We all have it memorized (my son chimes in at the end of each line). We are trying to teach him to count and he loves animals, both of which are so wonderfully illustated by Keats. A true classic! A "must have" for kids! I am buying it now for a friend who is pregnant and, like me, loves nature.

An excellent rendition!.......2000-04-25

From the award winner Ezra Jack Keats comes another masterpiece of a picture book. Based on the original by Olive Wadsworth, Keats's animals come alive on the page as the babies perform their mothers' commands. Keats uses bright colors and simple lines to make this a good book for sharing with a large group or single child.

Average customer rating:

The Loose Tooth (Easy-to-Read, Puffin)
Anastasia Suen , and Ezra Jack Keats
Manufacturer: Puffin
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 014250064X

Book Description

It's class photo day, and Peter has a looth tooth. If he loses the tooth, his smile will have a hole in it, just like in last year's picture. Then again, he'll get money from the tooth fairy, which would help him buy a new basketball!

Illustrated by Allan Eitzen

Average customer rating:

Rich, vibrant colors from a remarkable author
Love the books about Peter...
Grew up with this book!
Goggles
Goggles!

Goggles (Picture Puffin)
Ezra Jack Keats
Manufacturer: Puffin
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0140564403

Book Description

Generations of children have read, re-read, and loved Ezra Jack Keats's award-winning, classic stories about Peter and his neighborhood friends. Now, for the first time, Peter's Chair, A Letter to Amy, and Goggles! are available in paperback exclusively from Puffin. A well-loved character, a familiar childhood situation, and an urban setting are the components of this winning picture book, one of Keats's best. -- Booklist Ezra Jack Keats (19161983) was the beloved author and/or illustrator of over eighty-five books for children.

Customer Reviews:

Rich, vibrant colors from a remarkable author.......2006-04-20

This is the story of two boys who find a pair of motorcycle goggles. They wear them long enough for a group of older boys to try and take them. Fortunately the boys who found the goggles are wiley enough to escape. The last line of the story is cute..."Things look fine now!"

I gave this book a 5 because of the art work. Ezra Jack Keats is so talented! Rich vibrant colors mark the illustrations of two adventurers in the city. The illustrations by Keats are appealing because of their gritty realism and exciting colors. While the pictures will appeal to children, they also captivate the imaginations in all of us. Keats records part of our society and culture as children experience them.

Everybody should experience Ezra Jack Keats.

Love the books about Peter..........2006-01-06

I think this is a great book, along with the other books in the series. My two-year old daughter likes to read the books about Peter and in fact, will turn the pages and "read" the book herself, talking about the pictures which vividly tell the story. We live in the city and I like that these books are not set in the suburbs or countryside as many children's books only show that type of lifestyle. I would not characterize these books as being set in the ghetto or inner city as other reviewers have; I think it's just a portrayal of life in the city vs. the typical idyllic children's book setting.

Grew up with this book!.......2004-02-04

As a tyke in the 70's, I remember reading "Goggles!" many times and always finding myself emerced in the story. I now have twin boys that I can read it to and show them what their dad grew up with. Great book.

Goggles.......2002-12-16

This is a very good book. It is about two boys who live in the ghetto. When they were in a junkyard playing around, Henry stumbled upon a pair of motorcycle goggles. They looked great on him. One the walk home two bullies want to take the goggles. The punk pushes henry down and the goggles fall out. Everyone looks at them, Then the dog runs off with them. The boys split up and go to the secret hideout. The dog gos slowly after. They run though a pipe and give the goggles to henry.

Well hope you enjoy reading this book. It is written by Ezra Jack Keats. It is one of the many books she has written, hope you get a chance to read them all.

Goggles!.......2002-10-23

I enjoyed reading the book Rich Cat, Poor Cat! It was about these two cats one is a street cat and is poor, scubby, dirty, no one pays attention to him, and he has to find his own way to live, his own shelter, food, and the other cat is a indoor cat that lives with a very rich family that cleans, feeds, give shelter, and takes care of him! Yes, I think this book is great for kids because it makes you think about all the cats out there that don't have homes! I think children would like to read this book because it teaches you things about cats and you should take care of every pet you own!

Average customer rating:

Peter's Chair - the best for sibling issues
great book
Pull Up a Chair
One of Ezra Jack Keats Best Books
We Loved This Story!

Peter's Chair (Picture Puffin)
Ezra Jack Keats
Manufacturer: Puffin
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0140564411

Book Description

Customer Reviews:

Peter's Chair - the best for sibling issues.......2007-08-31

My daughter is over thirty years old. But when she got "Peter's Chair" at 18 months, she asked that it be read to her - over and over - so much that she could open the book, turn the pages, and "read" it to herself. She did it almost verbatim except came up with the word "crocogator" when she saw Peter's favorite play animal. The story is about Peter's acceptance of the fact that his new sister was with the family to stay. Ezra Jack Keats's books are all good, but this is my favorite to give to any child who has a new sibling.

great book.......2007-05-20

One of my favorite author...love all of Keats books. Great for children who have a new sibling in the home.

Pull Up a Chair.......2005-09-22

This is a wonderful story with delightful illustrations about a young boy who is feeling displaced because he has a baby sister on the way. He is upset to see his old layette painted pink for baby Susie and his infant toys passed down to her.

The one thing that has escaped the fate of the pink paint is his old toddler chair. Peter stashes his chair away and later sets up a clever trap to fool everyone into thinking he is hiding behind the curtains. Peter tries to reclaim his old seat, but he has long outgrown it.

Sadder, but wiser, he accepts his new sister and even gives her a prized gift. This is a wonderful classic!

One of Ezra Jack Keats Best Books.......2005-07-30

I don't know what ken32 is talking about but Peter's Chair has nothing to do with gender difference. It is about a boy, Peter, who is disgruntled at the change that is occuring around the house for his new baby sister Susie. Peter sees that his baby items are being painted over in pink, which is the color that will identify if the baby is going to be a girl. Babies don't care what color their furniture is.
But Peter feeling that everything he has is going to be given to his sister, takes his childhood chair and runs away from home. But he realizes that he isn't a little boy anymore. He is a boy but not a baby. He has to accept change in the household when a sibling is born. Peter is not seen as a spoiled brat. He just doesn't want to have to give in to Susie. Peter learns a valuable lesson and is willing to help his family any way he can.
Ezra Jack Keats, rest in peace, is a good storyteller. His stories are centered around the urban areas. He doesn't paint a negative view of the city. He rather illustrates it as a community of supporting and close-knit citizens. His books dispel the media misconception of the dying city.

We Loved This Story!.......2004-05-27

This story is about Peter who has a new baby sister. He is very jealous and doesn't want to share his things. Peter finally gives her his old chair that is too small for him. We liked this story because Peter learns to be a good big brother. You should read this story because the pictures are really nice.

For You Are a Kenyan Child (Ezra Jack Keats New Writer Award)

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Incorrect Swahili
It doesn't get better than this...
Juneau 2nd grader
Wonderful!
Asante sana

For You Are a Kenyan Child (Ezra Jack Keats New Writer Award)
Kelly Cunnane
Manufacturer: Atheneum/Anne Schwartz Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 068986194X

Book Description

Imagine you live in a small Kenyan village, where the sun rises over tall trees filled with doves. You wake to the sound of a rooster's crow, instead of an alarm clock and the school bus. Your afternoon snack is a tasty bug plucked from the sky, instead of an apple. And rather than kicking a soccer ball across a field, you kick a homemade ball of rags down a dusty road. But despite this, things aren't that different for a Kenyan child than they would be for an American kid, are they? With so much going on around you, it's just as easy to forget what your mama asked you to do!

Customer Reviews:

Incorrect Swahili.......2007-06-23

I am a Kenyan residing in the U.S. and my 10-year-old cousin also from Kenya just borrowed this book from the library and ran to me saying some of the Swahili was wrong. I went through the book and was in total shock by the way the author had totally used words that were out of context.
First, I'd like to commend her for writing a book about a Kenyan village and to state that the illustrations are quite good. I am sure she had the purest of intentions when writing it.
I cannot claim to have flawless Swahili but having learned and spoken the language since childhood, I can easily identify mistakes.
It is unfortunate that there are thousands of children out there reading incorrect Swahili.
Her father says the following:
"It is bad that she has placed the wrong meaning of Swahili words in the English context and she ought to have consulted a Swahili scholar or native speaker (a Tanzanian/Kenyan) so as to write the language correctly.
No book would be published in English with incorrect spellings and context and we hope that measures will be taken to correct these errors."
We also believe that the publisher has an obligation to ensure that the books they sell which are geared to millions of people/children are correctly edited by native speakers/scholars of the respective foreign languages.

Some mistakes found in the book include:
Una taka chepati? = Unataka Chapati?
* Chapati is not a pancake, it is a type of flat-round-bread with its origin in India
Jambo, Mzee - Mzee means an old man/elder not exactly respected one as stated
* Mheshimiwa means respected one
Una taka shika rungu (fly-whisk)? = Unataka kushika rungu?
* A rungu is a club, not a fly-whisk, not sure what a flywhisk means in Swahili
Una taka maziwa lala? = Unataka kunywa maziwa lala?
* Maziwa lala is not sleeping milk but cultured milk/Natural yogurt
Una taka ndudu? = Unataka mdudu/dudu?
Una taka cheza? = Unataka kucheza?
Kabisa means completely/totally but not `of course' as implied

Most of the people I have spoken to including my friends are in total shock at the incorrect use of Swahili. It isn't right.
Once again, we are grateful that such a book exists but hope that the errors will be corrected.

It doesn't get better than this..........2007-04-06

My 8 year old and 2 year old boys love this book. It's fun, it's beautiful, and it celebrates an African boy's day.

Joyfully, the message is "boys will be boys" no matter where they live.

This book combines a wonderful story with the work of a VERY talented illustrator. I hope to see more from author Kelly Cunnane, and I'm going to seek out other books illustrated by Ana Juan...and I'll even spring for the hard cover versions.

You'll find your kids reaching for this book over and over.

Juneau 2nd grader.......2007-03-24

How would it fell growing up in another country? This book is about a boy who has to take care of his grandfather's cows. I liked it because it sounds like how I'd like to live. The boy is a lot like me because he is supposed to be watching the cows but he gets easily distracted by people around him.
I recommend this book for everybody.

Wonderful!.......2007-03-23

My bi-racial baby is half Kenyan and I'm sure she'll love this book for years to come. A bit stereotypical but not too bad. Wonderful artwork.

Asante sana.......2007-03-16

This book is fabulous! Having worked in East Africa for several years, I thoroughly enjoyed this magnificently illustrated and cleverly told story of a typical Kenyan boy. A must buy.

Average customer rating:

Archie, charming as ever
Pet Show - Cute Even For the Moms and Dads Who Read It :)
Great children's book and what pictures!!

Pet Show! (Picture Puffins)
Ezra Jack Keats
Manufacturer: Puffin
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0142300004

Book Description

Everyone is talking about the neighborhood pet show, and Archie can't wait. His friends are bringing dogs and birds, and he is going to enter the cat who lives near by. But when it's time to go, the cat is nowhere to be found. The contest is about to start. What can Archie do?

"The succinct, satisfying story is illustrated with vibrant, brilliantly colored paintings." (Booklist)

Customer Reviews:

Archie, charming as ever.......2001-08-19

It's the day of the neighborhood pet show, and Archie plans to take his cat. But where IS the cat? Archie can't find it, so Peter, Roberto, and Susie reluctantly go to the pet show without him.

Ensuring that each contestant is a winner, the judges give out blue ribbons to everyone, creating categories on the fly, such as "cat with the longest whiskers," "friendliest fish," etc. Archie finally arrives, but an old woman shows up just as Archie is displaying his hasty last-second entry (a jar, containing a germ). Beside the old woman is Archie's cat. The old woman is given the blue ribbon for displaying the cat.

Archie displays good humor and grace. The old woman offers the blue ribbon to Archie, but he insists that she keep it. Archie and his friends all enjoy themselves.

Like most of Ezra Jack Keats' books, _Pet Show_ is populated with children and adults of several ethnicities, but primarily African-American. The book design is marvelous. Basically the book looks like _A Letter To Amy_ and _Whistle for Willie_.

My son and I read this one all the time. He's almost 2 1/2 years old, and while I expect that most children are enjoying this at age 4 and age 5, my son thoroughly loves it. When we reach the section where Archie is late for the pet show, he almost can't contain himself until he sees Archie's silhouette racing along, jar in hand, and he belts out "Here Goes Archie!"-- _Pet Show_ is a winner.

Ken32

Pet Show - Cute Even For the Moms and Dads Who Read It :).......2000-09-08

Poor Archie. In the previous EJK book "Hi Cat," a darn alley cat follows him home after wreaking havoc with his day. Now, in "Pet Show," Archie is ready to enter the contest with said cat -- but cat has vanished. Archie ultimately displays cleverness as well as kindness, a wonderful lesson for little ones. EJK's books are always visually gorgeous, with colors and textures that delight readers. But even the grownup who reads this book will appreciate clever little Archie and the reminder that sometimes, tough situations require a little ingenuity and a helping of grace.

Great children's book and what pictures!!.......1999-07-23

I liked this book because of its colorful illustrations that enliven the story. The stories that Ezra Jack Keats write are so good to use for children to relate to. I recomend his books to teachers to use in bibliotherapy and for just anyone to read. I also have read "Peter's Chair" and again just as in all his other books you find real life situations in relation to life. Then there's his wonderfull illustrations.

My Name Is Yoon (Ezra Jack Keats New Illustrator Award, 2004)

Average customer rating:

A Wonderful Addition the School Library
What's in a name? Letters, I s'pose.
Great illiustrations, great message
Young Immigrants Featured Review
Mischievous and fun

My Name Is Yoon (Ezra Jack Keats New Illustrator Award, 2004)
Helen Recorvits , and Gabi Swiatkowska
Manufacturer: Farrar, Straus and Giroux (BYR)
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0374351147

Book Description

Getting to feel at home in a new country

Yoon’s name means Shining Wisdom, and when she writes it in Korean, it looks happy, like dancing figures. But her father tells her that she must learn to write it in English. In English, all the lines and circles stand alone, which is just how Yoon feels in the United States. Yoon isn’t sure that she wants to be YOON. At her new school, she tries out different names – maybe CAT or BIRD. Maybe CUPCAKE!

Helen Recorvits’s spare and inspiring story about a little girl finding her place in a new country is given luminous pictures filled with surprising vistas and dreamscapes by Gabi Swiatkowska.

Customer Reviews:

A Wonderful Addition the School Library.......2005-09-20

This book is a great ice breaker for those first few days of school. The story is well written, and beautifully illustrated.
Young students can relate to the character, Yoon, on many levels.

What's in a name? Letters, I s'pose. .......2005-08-02

In 2001 a book came out entitled, "The Name Jar" about a girl from Korea who had moved to America and wanted an Americanized name. Then, in 2003, "My Name Is Yoon" came out with practically the same plot. Normally, I have little sympathy for children's books that mimic their predecessors. In this case, however, there can be little doubt as to which book is the better of the two. "My Name Is Yoon", is a complex tale of imagination, flights of fancy, and gradual acceptance. By contrast, "The Name Jar" was simply okay. You can find ho-hum picture books lining the shelves of most libraries and bookstores around the globe. It is far rarer to find books quite as remarkable as the stunning, "Yoon".

Yoon isn't exactly thrilled to be in America. Wherever she looks, she sees that life is different in this strange new land. In Korea, where Yoon was born, her name meant Shining Wisdom. Despite her father's assurances that it means the same thing here, Yoon isn't so sure. And then there's the fact that when she writes her name using English characters, it's just a series of sticks and circles, whereas in Korean, "The symbols dance together". She's right. They do. Yoon carries her unhappiness to school where each day she learns a new word and makes that her name. One day it's cat. Another it's bird. Still another (and most amusingly) it's cupcake. In the end, Yoon learns to like her new country, supposing perhaps that maybe that being different can be good too. And in the end, she embraces her real name. "It still means Shining Wisdom".

I hate summarizing picture books where the plot, when written down, sounds so much hokier than it feels on the page. What I've just written sounds nice but bland. The book is anything but bland. Yoon's a distinct and remarkable character. With each new name she adopts, she becomes that object in her dreams. For example, when she becomes BIRD she wishes she could fly back to Korea once again. The book also skips what I've come to feel is the obligatory foreign-child-gets-teased sequence. The kind of thing you tend to find in books like, "Molly's Pilgrim". I was grateful for the oversight. "My Name Is Yoon" is tackling more important problems here. The acceptance of one's own self in a foreign environment, for example. Becoming your own name. Becoming your own self. What could be greater than this?

The pictures, for their part, don't hurt. Artist Gabi Swiatkowska is perhaps best known for this book and the title, "Silk Umbrellas" by Carolyn Marsden. "My Name Is Yoon" is good as a story, yes. But the Yoon we see here is a complex original human being. A one-of-a-kind gal. When her imagination soars it takes off like nothing else, aided by Swiatkowska's realistic images. I especially liked looking at the pictures of her in her home. Here, the black and white tiles of the floor bend and twist in strangely surreal patterns. I'll be honest with you, though. The book could've been awful and I still would have loved it just so long as it continued to contain the picture of Yoon floating through her classroom window as a delicious fluffy cupcake.

Realism is what grounds "My Name Is Yoon". Surrealism sets it apart from the rabble. If you're stocking your personal library with only the most essential picture books out there, you'd be doing yourself a disservice not to include this truly delightful title.

Great illiustrations, great message.......2005-05-01

This is a wonderful story about a young Korean girl who has moved to America with her family. At school when she write her name Yoon in English for the first time, she decides that she likes her Korean characters more than the English version because, "My name looks happy in Korean. The symbols dance together."

She decides that she would like to go back to Korea because everything is different in America. Every day at school, her nice teacher asks her to write her name on a paper, and Yoon instead writes a different word that she has recently learned. The beautiful illustrations go along with these words, showing Yoon as a bird, cat, and cupcake. In the end Yoon realizes that perhaps America will be a good home, and that, "maybe different is good."

A great story for children to read, to aid in understanding and acceptance.

Young Immigrants Featured Review.......2004-12-06

Immigrant kids recognize that hesitation during roll call when a new teacher gets to their name. I used to dread it, but the experience depended on how a grownup handled these encounters with the unfamiliar. If only all teachers (and immigrant parents) were as wise as the ones in this book! Recorvits' poetic, spare text and Swiatkowska's imaginative paintings explore one aspect of feeling "foreign" -- an immigrant child's name. In a new language and a new alphabet, Yoon's beautiful Korean name seems foreign even to herself. Are you still "Yoon" when people outside the family pronounce your name differently? When they don't know that it means "shining wisdom?" For a child to feel at home in a new country, she needs a loving circle of teachers, parents, and classmates, as well as a good measure of her own courage. Reading My Name is Yoon might compensate somewhat if any of those crucial ingredients are missing.

Mischievous and fun.......2004-04-13

Mischievous, Korean-born Yoon deals with starting school and learning English. She likes her name in Korean. It means shining wisdom. She is not so sure she likes YOON, her name written in English. The illustrations are stark, rich, and playful. Karen Woodworth Roman, East Asian Children's Books

Average customer rating:

Love it!
Perfect Peter
another great story with Peter and Willie
Another Good Story from Ezra Jack Keats

A Letter to Amy (Picture Puffin)
Ezra Jack Keats
Manufacturer: Puffin
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Ages 4-8 | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

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ASIN: 014056442X

Book Description

Generations of children have read, re-read, and loved Ezra Jack Keats's award-winning, classic stories about Peter and his neighborhood friends. Now, for the first time, Peter's Chair, A Letter to Amy, and Goggles! are available in paperback exclusively from Puffin. "A master of ingenious collages, [Keats] has made brilliant variegated pictures..." -- The Horn Book Ezra Jack Keats (1916-1983) was the beloved author and/or illustrator of over eighty-five books for children.

Customer Reviews:

Love it!.......2007-06-27

Great book. My almost [...] loves this book along with Peter's Chair. The pictures are beautiful and the story relatable to little ones. We plan on getting more Peter books.

Perfect Peter.......2007-01-04

This book in the Ezra Jack Keats series is wonderful. I am relatively new to this author but have fallen for all the books that my 3 year old and I have read so far. It is wonderfully illustrated and the simple text makes it a winner. A great addition to any childs library and a series that merits collecting.

another great story with Peter and Willie.......2001-07-01

My two year old loves Whistle for Willie, and Goggles, both by Ezra Jack Keats. I brought home _A Letter To Amy_ from the library to let him have a look.

_A Letter To Amy_ is the story of Peter, who has an upcoming birthday. He wants to invite Amy with a letter, because she's a special friend. Peter is worried that the boys at his party won't like Amy because she's a girl. He writes a letter to Amy, and tries to mail it.

This book has the same illustration style as Whistle for Willie... very patchy, abstract, and easy to enjoy. The story is great. I know that older kids love Ezra Jack Keats' picture books-- and I'm telling you my 2 year old does, too!

He calls this book AMY BOOK, and we read it over and over again.

ken32

Another Good Story from Ezra Jack Keats.......2000-07-31

This is a story of Peter who is having a birthday. He writes a special letter to Amy to invite her to the party. The other guests will be boys so he just asked them. As Peter went out to mail his letter Amy almost saw. He was not nice to her and thought see might not come to his party. The day for the party came and finally Amy arrived. The boys didn't like it because a girl was at the party. I thought this book would be a wonderful story to read in my first grade classroom. I could use it for a mini-lesson on how to write invitations and addressing envelopes. Also, it could be used to promote friendships between boys and girls.

Keats's Neighborhood: An Ezra Jack Keats Treasury

Average customer rating:

Keats's Neighborhood
Great Art!
Great book for classrooms
Trip down memory lane . . .
Wonderful Collection of Keat's Children's Stories

Keats's Neighborhood: An Ezra Jack Keats Treasury
Ezra Jack Keats
Manufacturer: Viking Juvenile
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Literature | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

General | Ages 4-8 | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

ASIN: 0670035866

Book Description

Ezra Jack Keats is widely acknowledged as one of the first people to feature realistic, friendly, multi-ethnic urban settings in his picture books-forever changing the landscape of children's literature in the process. Now this beautiful collection brings together nine of his best-loved stories, including the 1963 Caldecott Medal-winning book The Snowy Day and Caldecott Honor book Goggles!, plus Whistle for Willie, Peter's Chair, Apt. 3, and others. Also included is artwork from an unfinished picture book, The Giant Turnip, published here for the very first time. An introduction by celebrated critic of children's literature Anita Silvey outlines Keats's career and inimitable contributions. In addition, five of the most important writers and illustrators working in the field today share their thoughts on Keats and the legacy he left behind. An afterword describes his incredible life, from his childhood in Brooklyn to children's book legend.

Customer Reviews:

Keats's Neighborhood.......2007-05-14

Wonderful collection of Ezra Jack Keats's stories! His stories and illustrations are some of the best of our times for young children! The colors are amazing and the characters are timeless.My children and now my grandchildren are enjoying his work.

Great Art!.......2007-02-04

This is an excellent culmination of stories for children as well as biography of the author. The artwork is amazing and creative. I remember reading these stories as a child and loving the creative illustrations. I have purchased this for my nephew's 6th birthday hoping he will enjoy the stories as well.

Great book for classrooms.......2007-01-20

I'm a pre-k teacher and I bought this book as part of a unit we're doing on Ezra Jack Keats. It has all the Peter stories, plus a copy of the picture of the child who inspired Peter. One thing to know is that each story's layout is very different than the original picture books. There are missing illustrations (including some of my favorites) though all of the text is there. That fact really reduces this collection's value in my opinion, especially because Keats was such a thoughtful illustrator and each picture matches with the text to evoke a much stronger meaning than words or picture alone. It's still a great book though and nice to have in the classroom or at home. If you had to choose between owning each of the originals and this collection though, go with the originals.

Trip down memory lane . . ........2007-01-10

I still have my old Keats books. They are pretty delicate and I got this to introduce my two boys to Keats. It is a great collection, some of the stories my boys love to hear over and over again.

A great buy and most of his stories are still in print.

Wonderful Collection of Keat's Children's Stories.......2007-01-10

Ezra Jack Keats writes great stories for children. I read them to my children 35 years ago and read them to my grandchildren today. His books are fun to read and the pictures are a feast for the eyes.

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