It says a lot when a children’s book reaches the “ripe old” age of 50 while still remaining universally popular.  The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats is such a one. Winner of the Caldecott Medal for the year’s most distinguished American picture book, the title was ground breaking despite its simplicity.  Through the use of colorful, textured illustrations and an unaffected story line, the book “changed the face of children’s books” by featuring a little black boy in a manner neither condescending nor provocative;  He was merely a little boy.

Although not black himself, Keats (1916-83) experienced his own forms of prejudice growing up in extreme poverty in East New York, Brooklyn. The child of Eastern European immigrants, he translated the harsh, gritty reality of those surroundings into a color saturated world full of potential and promise.

In honor of the anniversary the Jewish Museum in New York has mounted a retrospective of his work, including art (photographs, sketches and collages) as well as correspondence and notebooks.  It’s also an interactive exhibit with a reading room that invites exploration of the worlds of Keat’s books.

Photo: Suzanne DeChillo; The New York Times

In addition to a career as an illustrator and writer, in 1964 Keats created a foundation with lifelong friend Dr. Martin Pope in support of educators (both teachers and parents) and children, with a focus on literacy and love of learning. The foundation continues to fund scholarships, awards and the innovative Minigrant program for public schools and libraries around the country.