March Author Spotlight
Ezra Jack Keats
Celebrate Ezra Jack Keats 102nd Birthday on March 11th
Bio Info:
Ezra Jack Keats was a Caldecott Medal-winning picture book author and illustrator. He was born on March 11, 1916, to Polish-Jewish parents living in Brooklyn, N.Y. Keats first worked as an illustrator and was published in various magazines. He also illustrated children's book covers. In 1960, he coauthored My Dog Is Lost! with Pat Cherr, and began writing and illustrating his own books shortly after. In total, Ezra Jack Keats wrote and illustrated 22 children's books, including Peter's Chair, Whistle for Willy, and the timeless classic The Snowy Day, for which he won the Caldecott Medal. Sadly Ezra Jack Keats passed away in 1983. Credit Scholastic.com
Share: Books
The Snowy Day
Whistle for Willie
One Red Sun
Peter's Chair
Pet Show
Skates
Kitten for a Day
Goggles
The Trip
Jennie's Hat
Hi, Cat!
Ezra Jack Keats Full Booklist
Keats remains a classroom favorite for Prek-Grade 4 because children relate so well to his characters and because the books offer various perspectives—social, emotional, moral—that teachers can choose to explore in class. They are fresh, relevant and effective in teaching children about such issues as:
- bullying
- sibling rivalry
- boredom
- loss
- peer pressure
- snobbery
- disappointment
- compassion
- differences
- developmental issues
- resourcefulness and determination
- loneliness
- nature
- city life
Celebration Activities and Further Study:
Ezra Jack Keats Birthday Party Ideas and Crafts
Ezra Jack Keats Foundation Website Link
Snowy Day Book Preschool Pre-writing and Snow Paint
Online games and read alouds of many of Keats books for kids
Lesson Plans for Specific Books for grade Pre-K--3rd
Did you know?
USPS Snowy Day Forever Stamps Online Order Link
