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. —Amazon.com

Peter's Chair
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Binding: Hardcover
ISBN: 0670880647Number Of Pages: 40
Publication Date: August 01, 1998
Publisher: Viking Juvenile
Reading Level: Ages 4-8

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 more charming or contemporary child than Peter...is hard to bring to mind." —Library Journal

Pet Show!
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Binding: Paperback
ISBN: 0142300004
Number Of Pages: 40
Publication Date: September 10, 2001
Publisher: Puffin
Reading Level: Ages 4-8

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)

Whistle for Willie
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Binding: Hardcover
ISBN: 0670762407
Number Of Pages: 40
Publication Date: September 04, 1964
Publisher: Viking Juvenile
Reading Level: Baby-Preschool

When Whistle for Willie was first published in 1964, The New York Times wrote Mr. Keats' illustrations boldly, colorfully capture the child, his city world. and the shimmering heat of a summer's day. Now the story of Peter, who longs to whistle for his dog, is accessible to even the youngest child in a durable board book edition, with reinforced pages, a handy trim size, and safe, rounded corners. Ezra Jack Keats, who died in 1983, was the award-winning author of such children's favorites as The Snowy Day, which won the Caldecott Medal, and Goggles, a Caldecott Honor Book.

Goggles
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Binding: Paperback
ISBN: 0140564403
Number Of Pages: 40
Publication Date: November 01, 1998
Publisher: Puffin
Reading Level: Ages 4-8

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.
—Amazon.com