Author Birthday: Ezra Jack Keats
March 11
Ezra Jack Keats was born March 11, 1916 in Brooklyn, New York. Long before multicultural characters and themes were commonplace, Ezra Jack Keats crossed social boundaries by being the first American picture-book maker to give black children a central place in children’s literature.
The Snowy Day was the first book that Keats both wrote and illustrated, and it was his greatest success. It tells the story of Peter and how he enjoys a beautifu snowfall.
Keats wrote and illustrated more than 20 books for children. His books are read and loved by children the world over and have been transulated into almost 20 languages. Although he never had children of his own, Keats thought of his characters as his children.
Quote
“My books have, in a way, made me a parent. Peter and his friends grow, have fun, problems, fears, and successes, and I've been with them through it all. I love these children, and it's been one of the greatest pleasures of my life to raise them and see them off into the world.”
Visit the Falk School Library catalog to find books written by Ezra Jack Keats or about him.
Information from Biography for Beginners: All Authors. Laurie Lanzen Harris (ed.). Pleasant Ridge, Michigan: Favorable Impressions, 2005.
Prepared by Linda Herward 9/29/2011
Contact Linda Herward at herward@pitt.edu
Event Dates:
Sun, 03/11/2012 (All day)
Sponsor: