Peter from the snowy day
'A Poem For Peter' Recalls One Unforgettable 'Snowy Day' : NPR
'A Poem For Peter' Recalls One Unforgettable 'Snowy Day' In 1962, Peter — an African-American boy exploring his neighborhood after a snowstorm — broke the color barrier in mainstream children's publishing. A new book pays tribute to author Ezra Jack Keats.
Author Interviews
Heard on Morning Edition
'A Poem For Peter' Recalls One Unforgettable 'Snowy Day'
In A Poem for Peter, Andrea Davis Pinkney introduces young readers to Ezra Jack Keats, the author and illustrator behind The Snowy Day. The story begins with Keats' parents fleeing Warsaw, seeking a better life in the United States. It is illustrated by Lou Fancher and Steve Johnson. Lou Fancher and Steve Johnson/Penguin Random House hide caption
toggle caption
Lou Fancher and Steve Johnson/Penguin Random House
Author Andrea Davis Pinkney used to sleep with a copy of The Snowy Day. "I loved that book — it was like a pillow to me," she says.
More than 50 years ago, Peter — an African-American boy exploring his neighborhood after a snowstorm — broke the color barrier in mainstream children's publishing. The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats would go on to win a Caldecott Medal. Now, Pinkney pays homage to Keats in a new book called A Poem for Peter, and there is an animated, Snowy Day special streaming on Amazon.
When Pinkney was asked to write a book about Keats, she says she jumped at the chance "like a kid on a sled." The Snowy Day was her favorite book as a child; she says it brought her comfort to see her own life reflected on the page.
"Up to that point, there were many picture books but they were in rural settings," she says. "And here was this book that made my life, my experience, valid. City streets, sidewalks, stoops — everything that I held so dear."
As she worked on the biography, Pinkney learned that Keats was also a city kid, the child of immigrants who fled anti-Semitism in Poland.
As a child, Keats wanted to become an artist, but his father died when he was a teen, World War II broke out, and his dreams were put on hold. After serving in the Army, Keats returned to face discrimination at home.
"He could not find a job," Pinkney says. "There were literally signs in windows that said: 'Jews need not apply.' Ezra was born with the name Jacob (Jack) Ezra Katz. When he saw those signs, he changed his name to Ezra Jack Keats."
With each tube of colored oil, / Ezra let his imagination grow. / And he drew, oh, how he drew. Lou Fancher and Steve Johnson/Penguin Random House hide caption
toggle caption
Lou Fancher and Steve Johnson/Penguin Random House
Eventually, Keats landed a job as an illustrator.
At some point he saw a series of photos of a young, black boy in Life magazine. He held on to those pictures for 20 years.
"And then he gets an invitation to create his own children's book," Pinkney explains. "And he said: This is the boy I am going to use as the star."
And that's how Peter was born. With its beautiful illustrations and sweet story, The Snowy Day was an instant hit. But there was also a backlash because Keats was white.
"Ezra was criticized for presuming to be able to write about a black child," explains Deborah Pope, executive director of The Ezra Jack Keats Foundation. But Keats had a simple response. He said he put black characters into his books "because they're there," Pope says. Keats felt they'd "always been there, but we've never seen them — we need to see them."
That need still exists, Pinkney says, "We need more Peters. We need more stories that are universal in nature ... that appeal to all children just because of their beauty, and whimsy, and fun and discovery.
"
In her new book, Pinkney introduces Peter — and the man who created him — to a new generation of young readers:
Like a snowflake you fell,
right into our hearts.
You arrived.
A little Snowy Day surprise!
Like a crystal flake from the clouds,
you fluttered down
with your own one-of-a-kind
cutie-beauty.
Peter and Ezra, / you made a great team. / Together you brought a snowstorm / of your dreams. Lou Fancher and Steve Johnson/Penguin Random House hide caption
toggle caption
Lou Fancher and Steve Johnson/Penguin Random House
Peter and Ezra, / you made a great team. / Together you brought a snowstorm / of your dreams.
Lou Fancher and Steve Johnson/Penguin Random House
Sponsor Message
Become an NPR sponsor
Breaking Color Barriers, Quietly : NPR
'The Snowy Day': Breaking Color Barriers, Quietly The classic children's book by Ezra Jack Keats turns 50 this year. When it came out in 1962, it was one of the first major kids' books to feature a non-caricatured black protagonist. It became a huge hit, and was embraced by parents, teachers and children of all colors.
-
- NPR One
- Apple Podcasts
- Spotify
- Google Podcasts
- Amazon Music
- RSS link
Books
Heard on All Things Considered
By
NPR Staff
'The Snowy Day': Breaking Color Barriers, Quietly
One morning many years ago, a little boy in Brooklyn named Peter woke up to an amazing sight: fresh snow.
Peter is the hero of the classic children's book by Ezra Jack Keats, The Snowy Day, which turns 50 this year. Peter has a red snowsuit, a stick just right for knocking snow off of trees, and a snowball in his pocket. And, though this is never mentioned in the text, Peter is African-American.
"It wasn't important. It wasn't the point," Deborah Pope tells weekends on All Things Considered host Guy Raz. Pope is the executive director of the Ezra Jack Keats Foundation.
"The point is that this is a beautiful book about a child's encounter with snow, and the wonder of it," Pope says. Peter was among the first non-caricatured African-Americans to be featured in a major children's book. But Pope says Keats — who was white — wasn't necessarily trying to make a statement about race when he created Peter.
"He said, well, all the books he had ever illustrated, there had never been a child of color, and they're out there — they should be in the books, too," Pope says.
"But was he trying to make a cause book, was he trying to make a point? No."
That approach earned Keats a lot of criticism from civil rights leaders who felt he had not gone far enough. "They were worried," Pope says. "This was a time when the African-American community was fighting for a place at the table, was fighting to be heard ... and in the past, when white authors had written about black characters, it had not done well. It was not good."
Ezra Jack Keats wrote and illustrated nearly 25 books for kids, and illustrated more than 80. He died in 1983. With special permission from The Ezra Jack Keats Foundation hide caption
toggle caption
With special permission from The Ezra Jack Keats Foundation
Ezra Jack Keats wrote and illustrated nearly 25 books for kids, and illustrated more than 80.
He died in 1983.
With special permission from The Ezra Jack Keats Foundation
Hear LeVar Burton Read 'The Snowy Day'
But The Snowy Day became a huge hit. It won the Caldecott Medal, given to outstanding picture books. It was embraced by parents, teachers and children of all colors — and eventually the criticism subsided.
"It was no longer necessary that the book say, 'I am an African-American child going out into the snow today,' " Pope says. "They realized that you don't put a color on a child's experience of the snow."
Keats received thousands of fan letters from children, featuring their own versions of his deceptively simple collage illustrations. Even children in places like decidedly un-snowy Florida could relate to Peter's adventures. But one of the most touching reports came from a teacher whose students had read The Snowy Day.
"There was a teacher [who] wrote in to Ezra, saying, 'The kids in my class, for the first time, are using brown crayons to draw themselves.
' " Pope says. "These are African-American children. Before this, they drew themselves with pink crayons. But now, they can see themselves."
Keats' Inspiration
In 1940, Life magazine published a short photo essay focused on a little boy in Liberty County, Ga., who was about to undergo a blood test. Keats was struck by the sweet images of the child, and cut the group of photographs out of the magazine. That little boy was the inspiration for Keats' character Peter, the African-American protagonist of The Snowy Day and six books that followed.
With special permission from The Ezra Jack Keats Foundation
Sponsor Message
Become an NPR sponsor
The most fabulous pictures of snowy St. Petersburg
Komsomolskaya Pravda
SocietyABOUT MISCELLANEOUS
Anna SUKHODOEVA
January 18, 2016 14:28
A delightful winter has come to the northern capital.
Citizens share photos on social networks
PHOTO: instagram.com/sv.starikova/
At the end of December, it rained in St. Petersburg, then twenty degrees of frost struck. Now the weather has more than rewarded the townspeople for all the torment.
A delightful winter came to the northern capital last weekend. Slow snow was falling, and the trees were covered with frost. This made our beautiful city even more fabulous than usual. Residents and tourists happily shared pictures on social networks.
In two days, more than a thousand of them appeared on Instagram alone. And whatever photography is, it's a masterpiece.
fluffy city it was incredibly beautiful. As if the whole of Petersburg was plunged into a fairy tale. High spirits for the next week is guaranteed! users noted.
Today's frosted city Photo: smelov.photo
Others confessed that because of the beautiful weather they had given up transportation and walked all day long – admiring.
Luckily, the cold weather is over for the weekend. As if on purpose so that people could enjoy the wonders of nature to their fullest.
#Peter #beloved #snowy #city #blue #lantern #branches #winter #January #January2016 #St. #petersburg #sbpru #spbrussia #piter #piterfoto #piteronlinePhoto: elena_tesoro
There were also those who thanked the officials that this year they decided to abandon reagents - there is no brown slurry on the roads now. And instead of dirt, even in the crowded center, everything is clean and white-white.
Everything is white, and people are walking along the frozen canals in St. Petersburg #allwhiteeverything #stpete #instagramrussia #instagram of the week #vsco #vscohub #vscogrid #vscorussia #so clear #peter #spb #peterburg #petersburg #piteronline #instapiter #petersburg #lovespb #ohmyrussia # vsco_hubPhoto: head_in_clouds_
- Today is a beautiful winter again! Thank you for returning to childhood without reagents. I have already forgotten how cheerfully the snow creaks underfoot, - says Kirill Shamanov.
just bluePhoto: petrosphotos
And even the frosts, which again returned to the city on Monday, could not spoil the people's mood.
Magic day!!! #spb_guide#ilovespb#gallery_of_all#igworldclub#worldplaces#spbgram#ig_russia#igs#igs_europe#lovelyrussia#gopitershare#russiaphoto#russiaphoto_rus#rusphoto#russiandiary#picturetokeep_hdr#ok_hdr#tv_hdr#kings_meteo#kings_hdr#love_petersburg#mskpit#versatile_photo_#spbfull#be_one_city #petersburgcity#petersburgmycity#spbcamPhoto: natalia_krasnova_
- St. Petersburg hasn't had such a beautiful winter for a very long time! It’s cold outside, but when you see all this beauty, you forget about the frost and enjoy the snow-covered landscapes,” Darina Malinovskaya wrote on VKontakte.
#sunnyday#sunny#frozenday#frozen#daschund#mylovelydog#winerday#winter#wintergramPhoto: anymimi
The water tower nearby the St. #winter #spb #saintpetersburg #spbgram #petermyeyes #peterfmPhoto: anelabulen
#spb #saintpetersburg #spbgram #vscospb #spblive #ilovespb #instaspb #instagood #sky #winter #wintertime #beautiful #amazing #strelkavasilyevsky island #winter #wintercame #sunset #peter #thispeterbaby #typicalpeterPhoto: maria_ermolova
Photo: 0urfin0dz4
Winter fairy tale in St.
Petersburg # peter # st. petersburg # winter # spb #spb #saintpetersburg # marsovopole #spbgram March 2021
CHIEF EDITOR OLESIA VYACHESLAVOVNA NOSOVA.
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF OF THE SITE - KANSK VICTOR FYODOROVICH.
THE AUTHOR OF THE MODERN VERSION OF THE EDITION IS SUNGORKIN VLADIMIR NIKOLAEVICH.
Messages and comments from site readers are posted without preliminary editing. The editors reserve the right to remove them from the site or edit them if the specified messages and comments are an abuse of freedom mass media or violation of other requirements of the law.
EDITORIAL ADDRESS: CJSC "Komsomolskaya Pravda in St. Petersburg", Gatchinskaya street, 35 A, St. Petersburg. POSTAL CODE: 197136 CONTACT TELEPHONE: +7 (812) 458-90-68
Exclusive rights to materials posted on the website www.kp.ru, in accordance with the legislation of the Russian Federation for the Protection of the Results of Intellectual Activity belong to JSC Publishing House Komsomolskaya Pravda, and do not be used by others in any way form without the written permission of the copyright holder.
Acquisition of copyright and contact with the editor: [email protected]
St. Petersburg - the snowy city of Christmas - a tour for 3 - 4 days along the route Pushkin (Tsarskoe Selo)
-
Program for a 3-day tour
4
-
Independent arrival in St. Petersburg.
10:30 meeting of the group in the light hall of the Moscow railway station (main hall, near the bust of Peter the Great) with a sign "Petersburg Mosaic".
In the event of an early arrival of the train, it is possible to check-in your belongings to the hotel's free luggage room (early check-in is possible subject to availability). In this case, meeting with the group at 10:45 am in the lobby of the Oktyabrskaya Hotel (Ligovsky Prospekt, building 10 - opposite the Moscow Railway Station).
11:00 meeting with the guide in the hotel lobby.
Out-of-town excursion to Tsarskoye Selo (Pushkin) “The Pearl of the Gallant Age”.
Excursion to the Catherine Palace.
One of the most splendid residences of the Romanov dynasty, which has preserved the interiors of the middle of the XVIII century, made in the style of "Russian baroque". The "golden enfilade" of the rooms of the Catherine Palace, created by the architect Rastrelli, was conceived to amaze anyone with its richness and splendor. The "Amber Room", which is part of the Golden Enfilade, increased the glory of the Catherine Palace.
Free time for a walk in the Catherine Park and for additional excursions.
For those who wish - an excursion to the Alexander Palace (for an additional fee).
The main residence since 1904 of the last monarch Nicholas II. The Alexander Palace was the center of court life, it was here that ambassadors were received, the 300th anniversary of the Romanov dynasty and the 200th anniversary of Tsarskoye Selo were celebrated. This place, where Nicholas II was born, became the last refuge. It was from here that the royal family, at the behest of the Provisional Government, was sent to exile in Tobolsk, and then transported by the Bolsheviks to Yekaterinburg.
A tour of the ceremonial halls and private chambers, which tells about the daily life and life of the imperial family.
Return to St. Petersburg.
End of the program in the city center (Moskovsky railway station, Oktyabrskaya hotel) approximately at 17:00–17:30 (depending on the traffic situation).
Free time.
Overnight at the hotel.
Bus for a country excursion.
-
Breakfast at the hotel.
11:00 meeting with the guide in the hotel lobby.
Bus thematic tour "Traditions of celebrating the New Year and Christmas in St. Petersburg."
The Christmas holiday had not only a family, home character, but was also a secular, court and social event, which was reported in newspapers along with balls and receptions in high society. The time between Christmas and New Year was the most cheerful and bright holiday of the year, the time for balls and masquerades, skating and sleigh rides.
Nevsky Prospekt and Mikhailovskaya Square, Anichkov and Winter Palaces, the Neva Embankment near the Senate, the Field of Mars and the Admiralty Garden are associated with the traditions of celebrating Christmas and New Year and the customs of Old Petersburg. Visit to the Museum Historical Model Theater "Petrovskaya Aquatoria".
Here you can trace the history of the emergence of the Northern capital and the birth of the Russian fleet in an interactive miniature. The model recreates old estates, parks, palaces, some of which we will never see again.
End of the program in the city center (Petrovskaya water area) approximately at 15:00–16:00.
For those who wish - an excursion to the cathedral of your choice (for an additional fee):
- excursion to St. Isaac's Cathedral;
Acquaintance with one of the largest domed structures in the world (101.5 meters high). You will be able to appreciate the grandeur and luxury of the cathedral, admire its stone decoration, rich interior, and learn about the history of the construction of the cathedral and its interiors.
- excursion to the Cathedral of the Savior on Spilled Blood.
Fabulous nine-domed temple, built on the site of the mortal wound of the liberator Tsar Alexander II. The cathedral is a real museum of mosaic art, as more than 7,000 square meters of mosaics are used in the design of its facades and interiors.
Free time.
Overnight at the hotel.
Bus for a thematic tour (to the museum).
-
Breakfast at the hotel.
Release of numbers. Self-delivery of things in the storage room of the hotel or station.
11:00 meeting with the guide in the hotel lobby.
Bus and walking tour "Petersburg makes wishes come true".
The New Year is coming soon, and grown-up people become a little children, they begin to believe in bright fairy tales and the most impossible miracles again! To the sound of the chimes, everyone makes wishes, and, raising a sparkling glass, they believe that everything will certainly come true.
In St. Petersburg, you can touch the magic of magic without waiting for the cherished hour. To do this, you can go along the fabulous St. Petersburg route and all desires will be fulfilled. We will go to the pedestrian Malaya Sadovaya Street, elegant, shining with lights and filled with a cheerful festive mood. Street musicians give wonderful concerts, cafes and restaurants cordially invite you to taste New Year's treats. In the shop window of the merchants Eliseevs, Mikhail Shemyakin settled 12 characters from the New Year's fairy tale The Nutcracker. Vasilisa the cat and Yelisey the cat modestly standing on the eaves of the houses will help fulfill their cherished desires, and at the monument to the “Petersburg Photographer” you can learn interesting stories, and, of course, take a picture with him, saving this joyful New Year’s day forever. Visit to the State Hermitage Museum (self-examination). For those who wish - the purchase of an audio guide or excursion service (for an additional fee).
A fascinating journey to the freest country in the world - the world of art. This is the greatest art museum in the world. They say that the Hermitage has everything: ancient Greeks, Romans and Egyptians, all ancient gods, all possible saints, all generals of 1812, all Russian emperors and tsars, all famous Italians, Dutch, Flemings, Spaniards, Germans, French - this is an endless art magic.
End of the program on Palace Square approximately at 16:00–17:00.
Bus for a thematic tour (to the Hermitage).
-
Program for a 4-day tour
-
Independent arrival in St. Petersburg.
10:30 a group meeting in the light hall of the Moscow railway station (the main hall, near the bust of Peter I) with a sign "Petersburg Mosaic".
In the event of an early arrival of the train, it is possible to check-in your belongings to the hotel's free luggage room (early check-in is possible subject to availability).
In this case, meeting with the group at 10:45 am in the lobby of the Oktyabrskaya Hotel (Ligovsky Prospekt, building 10 - opposite the Moscow Railway Station). 11:00 meeting with the guide in the hotel lobby.
Out-of-town excursion to Tsarskoye Selo (Pushkin) “The Pearl of the Gallant Age”.
Excursion to the Catherine Palace.
One of the most splendid residences of the Romanov dynasty, which has preserved the interiors of the middle of the XVIII century, made in the style of "Russian baroque". The "golden enfilade" of the rooms of the Catherine Palace, created by the architect Rastrelli, was conceived to amaze anyone with its richness and splendor. The "Amber Room", which is part of the Golden Enfilade, increased the glory of the Catherine Palace.
Free time for a walk in the Catherine Park and for additional excursions.
For those who wish - an excursion to the Alexander Palace (for an additional fee).
The main residence since 1904 of the last monarch Nicholas II.
The Alexander Palace was the center of court life, it was here that ambassadors were received, the 300th anniversary of the Romanov dynasty and the 200th anniversary of Tsarskoye Selo were celebrated. This place, where Nicholas II was born, became the last refuge. It was from here that the royal family, at the behest of the Provisional Government, was sent to exile in Tobolsk, and then transported by the Bolsheviks to Yekaterinburg. A tour of the ceremonial halls and private chambers, which tells about the daily life and life of the imperial family. Return to St. Petersburg.
End of the program in the city center (Moskovsky railway station, Oktyabrskaya hotel) approximately at 17:00–17:30 (depending on the traffic situation).
Free time.
Overnight at the hotel.
Bus for a country excursion.
-
Breakfast at the hotel.
11:00 meeting with the guide in the hotel lobby.
Bus thematic tour "Traditions of celebrating the New Year and Christmas in St.
Petersburg." The Christmas holiday had not only a family, home character, but was also a secular, court and social event, which was reported in newspapers along with balls and receptions in high society. The time between Christmas and New Year was the most cheerful and bright holiday of the year, the time for balls and masquerades, skating and sleigh rides. Nevsky Prospekt and Mikhailovskaya Square, Anichkov and Winter Palaces, the Neva Embankment near the Senate, the Field of Mars and the Admiralty Garden are associated with the traditions of celebrating Christmas and New Year and the customs of Old Petersburg.
Visit to the Museum Historical Model Theater "Petrovskaya Aquatoria".
Here you can trace the history of the emergence of the Northern capital and the birth of the Russian fleet in an interactive miniature. The model recreates old estates, parks, palaces, some of which we will never see again.
End of the program in the city center (Petrovskaya water area) approximately at 15:00–16:00.
For those who wish - an excursion to the Cathedral of the Savior on Spilled Blood (for an additional fee).
A fabulous nine-domed church built on the site of the mortal wound of the Tsar-Liberator Alexander II. The cathedral is a real museum of mosaic art, as more than 7,000 square meters of mosaics are used in the design of its facades and interiors.
Free time.
Overnight at the hotel.
Bus for a thematic tour (to the museum).
-
Breakfast at the hotel.
11:00 meeting with the guide in the hotel lobby.
Bus and walking tour "Petersburg makes wishes come true".
The New Year is coming soon, and grown-up people become a little children, they begin to believe in bright fairy tales and the most impossible miracles again! To the sound of the chimes, everyone makes wishes, and, raising a sparkling glass, they believe that everything will certainly come true. In St. Petersburg, you can touch the magic of magic without waiting for the cherished hour.
To do this, you can go along the fabulous St. Petersburg route and all desires will be fulfilled. We will go to the pedestrian Malaya Sadovaya Street, elegant, shining with lights and filled with a cheerful festive mood. Street musicians give wonderful concerts, cafes and restaurants cordially invite you to taste New Year's treats. In the shop window of the merchants Eliseevs, Mikhail Shemyakin settled 12 characters from the New Year's fairy tale The Nutcracker. Vasilisa the cat and Yelisey the cat modestly standing on the eaves of the houses will help fulfill their cherished desires, and at the monument to the “Petersburg Photographer” you can learn interesting stories, and, of course, take a picture with him, saving this joyful New Year’s day forever. Visit to the State Hermitage Museum (self-examination). For those who wish - the purchase of an audio guide or excursion service (for an additional fee).
A fascinating journey to the freest country in the world - the world of art.
This is the greatest art museum in the world. They say that the Hermitage has everything: ancient Greeks, Romans and Egyptians, all ancient gods, all possible saints, all generals of 1812, all Russian emperors and tsars, all famous Italians, Dutch, Flemings, Spaniards, Germans, French - this is an endless art magic. End of the program on Palace Square approximately at 16:00–17:00.
Free time.
Overnight at the hotel.
Bus for a thematic tour (to the Hermitage).
-
Breakfast at the hotel.
Release of numbers. Self-delivery of things in the storage room of the hotel or station.
11:00 meeting with the guide in the hotel lobby.
Bus thematic tour "Temples and Shrines of St. Petersburg".
The tour is dedicated to the most significant Orthodox churches of St. Petersburg and St. Petersburg saints - the heavenly patrons of the city. On the tour you will find out who "protects" the city and where are the places of veneration of its patron saints.
Learn more
