Ezra Jack Keats
Ezra Jack Keats was an American writer and illustrator of children's books. He won the 1963 Caldecott Medal for illustrating The Snowy Day, which he also wrote. Many of Ezra’s stories are about a group of friends growing up in the city. The neighborhood they live in looks like the streets where Ezra grew up in Brooklyn, New York. He was born Jacob Ezra Katz, the third child of Polish-Jewish immigrants Benjamin Katz and Augusta Podgainy. The family was very poor. Jack, as he was known, was artistic from an early age, and joyfully made pictures out of whatever scraps of wood, cloth and paper that he could collect. Benjamin Katz, who worked as a waiter, tried to discourage his son, insisting that artists lived terrible, impoverished lives. Nevertheless, he sometimes brought home tubes of paint, claiming, "A starving artist swapped this for a bowl of soup." With little encouragement at home, Keats sought validation for his skills at school and learned about art at the public library. He received a medal for drawing on graduating from Junior High School 149. Although unimpressive-looking, the medal meant a great deal to him, and he kept it his entire life. Keats attended Thomas Jefferson High School, where he won a national contest run by Scholastic for an oil painting depicting hobos warming themselves around a fire. At his graduation, in January 1935, he was to receive the senior class medal for excellence in art. Two days before the ceremony, Benjamin Katz died in the street of a heart attack. When Keats identified his father's body, he later wrote, "I found myself staring deep into his secret feelings. There in his wallet were worn and tattered newspaper clippings of the notices of the awards I had won. My silent admirer and supplier, he had been torn between his dread of my leading a life of hardship and his real pride in my work." His father's death curtailed his dream of attending art school. For the remainder of the Great Depression until he was drafted for military service in World War II, Keats took art classes when he could and worked at a number of jobs, most notably as a mural painter under the New Deal program the Works Progress Administration (WPA) and as a comic book illustrator. At Fawcett Publications, he illustrated backgrounds for the Captain Marvel comic strip. He spent his military service (1943-45) designing camouflage patterns for the U.S. Army Air Force. In 1947, he petitioned to legally change his name to Ezra Jack Keats, in reaction to the anti-Semitic prejudice of the time. Keats spent most of 1949 painting and studying in Paris, realizing a long-deferred dream of working as an artist. After returning to New York, he focused on earning a living as a commercial artist, undoubtedly influenced by his father's anxieties. His illustrations began to appear in Reader's Digest, The New York Times Book Review, Collier's and Playboy, and on the jackets of popular books. His work was displayed in Fifth Avenue store windows, and the Associated American Artists Gallery, in New York City, gave him exhibitions in 1950 and 1954. In his unpublished autobiography, Keats wrote, "I didn't even ask to get into children's books." In fact, he was asked to do so by Elizabeth Riley of Crowell, which brought out his first children's title, Jubilant for Sure, written by Elisabeth Hubbard Lansing, in 1954. To prepare for the assignment, Keats went to rural Kentucky, where the story takes place, to sketch. Many children's books followed, including the Danny Dunn adventure series, by Jay Williams and Raymond Abrashkin, and an ethnographic series by Tillie S. Pine and Joseph Levine, beginning with The Indians Knew. All told, Keats illustrated nearly 70 books written by other authors. In 1983, Keats died at the age of 67 following a heart attack. His last projects included designing the sets for a musical version of his book The Trip (which would later become the stage production Captain Louie), designing
29 Books Written
Winner of the 1963 Caldecott Medal!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.The adventures of a little boy in the city on a very snowy day."Keats's sparse collage illustrations capture the wonder and beauty a snowy day can bring to a small child."—Barnes & Noble"Ezra Jack Keats's classic The Snowy Day, winner of the 1963 Caldecott Medal, pays homage to the wonder and pure pleasure a child experiences when the world is blanketed in snow."—Publisher's Weekly"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
This is the simple story of Peter, who longs to whistle for his dog, Willie, and persists until he does. When Whistle for Willie was first published in 1964, The New York Times wrote, "Mr. Keats's illustrations boldly, colorfully capture the child, his city world, and the shimmering heat of a summer's day."
When Peter finds out that his blue furniture is being painted pink for his new baby sister, he takes the last unpainted item, a chair, and runs away.
A procession travels to Bethlehem, bringing gifts for the newborn baby Jesus. The little drummer boy comes along, although he is too poor to bring a present fit for a king. Instead, he plays a song on his drum for the Christ Child. Within the little drummer boy's seemingly simple gift lies the true spirit of Christmas. Ezra Jack Keats' vivid, jewel-toned artwork perfectly illustrates this classic holiday carol. Music for the song appears at the back of the book. "Keats evocatively portrays this story." -Publishers Weekly
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.? -- BooklistEzra Jack Keats (1916?1983) was the beloved author and/or illustrator of over eighty-five books for children.
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 BookEzra Jack Keats (1916-1983) was the beloved author and/or illustrator of more than eighty-five books for children.
How can you enter a pet show when your pet runs away? That's the question Archie faces when he can't find his cat to enter in the neighborhood pet show. Fortunately, he does some fast thinking to win a prize in this beloved classic from award-winning author-illustrator Ezra Jack Keats.
On his way to hang out with the neighborhood kids, Archie very innocently greets a stray cat who follows him and gets in the way. The cat ruins everything - Archie's street show is a mess and his audience drifts away. But things aren't all bad: when Archie goes, the cat follows him all the way home, too!
Caldecott Medalist Ezra Jack Keats’s vibrant retelling of the popular African American folk ballad. Have you heard the tale? John Henry was born with a hammer in his hand. He was taller and stronger than anyone around. When men started talking about laying railroad tracks across the prairies and deserts, and right through the mountains, John Henry knew he and his hammer had to be a part of it. And drive those spikes he did! Then came the day when a challenge was announced: Who could dig a tunnel through a mountain faster—John Henry and his hammer? Or a steam drill?
In his apartment in the city, Sam hears voices, barking dogs, snoring, and all kinds of other noises. One rainy day he also hears the sad sounds of a harmonica, and wonders who's playing. Sam's search leads him to Apt. 3, where he finds not only the source of the music--but a new friend.
Jennie's favorite aunt is sending her a new hat, and Jennie is sure it will be beautiful. But when the box arrives, the hat inside is very plain. She had imagined a wonderful hat with big colorful flowers and even tries to make her own hat from a straw basket! Jennie is almost ready to give up on her dream when she receives a fanciful surprise from some very special friends. Ezra Jack Keats's timelessly charming illustrations will leave readers wishing for a dream hat of their own.
Louie's unhappy because the other kids call his father "the junkman." But his father knows that it's not just "All a person needs is some imagination! And a little of that stuff can take you right out of this world!" So Louie builds the Imagination I, a spaceship fueled entirely by imagination -- and blasts off into an adventure that will dazzle children and adults alike.
Susie and Roberto are putting on a puppet show and all of their friends have come to see it, including she Louie. As the show begins, Louie becomes fascinated by the smiling puppet Gussie and shouts "Hello!" in front of a silent audience. After the show, Louie goes home and dreams about Gussie. When he wakes up, he discovers that his friends have left a gift for him. This classic Ezra Jack Keats story of love and generosity is as meaningful today as when it was first published more than twenty years ago.
Roberto is excited about the paper mouse he made in school, until Amy asks, "Does it do anything?" Roberto isn't sure, so he leaves the mouse on his window sill and goes to bed. Before long his apartment building is quiet, but Roberto can't fall asleep. So he gets up to look out the window and sees Archie's cat being chased by a big, snarling dog! Roberto doesn't know what to do, but fate steps in and an unlikely hero comes to the cat's rescue. "The artist's skillful use of a combination of acrylic painting and collage has never been more effectively employed than in this quiet tale." - The Horn Book
When his family moves to a new neighborhood, Louie has to leave his friends behind. Playing alone, he creates a scene out of a shoebox. it has a magical effect, calling his imagination back to old friends, old times. Then the spell ends, and -- satisfyingly -- a real-life adventure begins as Louie joins some new friends for Halloween night.
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.
When Maggie's pet cricket is stolen, she andher friends embark on a search for the "pirate" thief which ends in a small tragedy, but the making of a new friend.
Can a puppy be a kitten? This puppy thinks he is. As he plays with four kittens, he tumbles and stumbles, thumps and slurps, spills and falls. Then his mother arrives. Will the five new friends be able to play again? Award-winning author and illustrator Ezra Jack Keats's appealing illustrations will have readers purring with contentment."A visually delightful book." ( The Horn Book )
Keats departs from his traditional style for his one and only wordless picture book, Clementina's Cactus. Clementina and her father are out for a walk in the desert when Clementina discovers a lone cactus, all shriveled and prickly. But Clementina discovers there is something beautiful hiding inside that thick skin.
After moving to a busy new neighborhood with his mother, Louie decides to explore and see if there is anyone he might like to have as a father.
Juanito is miserable—his family has just moved to New York, and because he only speaks Spanish, he has no one to talk to. What's more, his dog, Pepito, is lost! Juanito knows that most of his neighbors won't understand “Mi perro se ha perdido,” so he asks a man at the bank to help him make a sign in English. Suddenly, people all over the city want to help Juanito find Pepito...and the search is on!
The 1963 Caledecott Medal winner, The Snowy Day, Ezra Jack Keats’s lushly illustrated story of Peter, a young boy experiencing the year’s first snowfall, has delighted millions of readers. When Whistle for Willie, featuring Peter and his dog Willie, followed 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.” These two classics are now available together in a striking package. Complete with a DVD that includes a fillm of each book, this is a must have gift for the holidays.
From one red sun to ten playful pooches, preschoolers will delight in counting the bold, colorful objects in Ezra Jack Keats's appealing collages. Extra sturdy pages with safe rounded edges make this oversized board book just right for little hands. Available in book form for the first time ever, One Red Sun is a perfect introduction to counting.
SKATES! is Keats' second wordless picture book featuring animals rather than people as characters. The first one was PSSST! DOGGIE. In both books, the reader is encouraged to participate in the action of the "story" in his own way. Children of all ages are drawn into the humorous drama of this story by the vivid and engaging illustrations.
Keats explores the universality of spiritual thought in this distinguished picture book, first published in 1966. Quoting simple phrases from disparate religious traditions, he threads together ancient and modern ideas of spirituality, celebrating both their diversity and commonality. Full color.
This is the debut of two new characters created by Keats. The newcomers don't talk very much, but when they get together, things happen. In this book with animal characters, a cat asks a dog to dance. From that point on, we are carried with them on a flight of imagination from country to country and from age to age. The musical motion of the changing scenery and costumes, and the humorous antics of the somewhat unusual pair on the dance floor, offer much to look at, but at the same time leave room for the child to fill in details from his own imagination.
Books in this series - Once Upon A HippoB - The Big Blank Piece of PaperC - You Be the Bread and I'll Be the CheeseD - Why Does Water Wiggle?E - How to Talk to BearsF - Bathtub VoyagesThe Stories contained within this volume My Dog Is Lost! by Ezra Jack Keats&Pat Cherr+ The Lost Lake by Allen Say+ "Dinosaurs on the Road" from the book "Dinosaurs A Guide for Families on the Go" by Laurie Krasny Brown and Marc Brown+ Dinosaurs, Dragonflies, and All About Natural History Museums by Gail Gibbons+ Planet of the Grown-Ups by Gus Gedatus+ The Tub People by Pam ConradThe demensions of the book 10 1/4 inches tall+ 7 1/4 inches wide+ 1/2 inch thick
Scholastic Storybooks Treasures series, brings to life seven Ezra Jack Keats books, including The Snowy Day and Whistle for Willie. Read a-long words along with narration and music. Color, Scholastic Cat. # NNVG154731lt6
Night has always inspired in man a sense of wonder, of romance, of fear, and of mystery. It is a time of rest, and therefore a welcome time. But it is also a time of shadows, of strange silver moonlight, of sounds and voices not heard in the day. Night is a rich darkness that reveals, questions, and promises.In this book are excerpts from many kinds of literature—from plays, novels, poetry—all of the paths that man has taken through words to express the varied faces of night. And with the words are photographs that sensitively penetrate night's many moods.