Ezra.Jack Keats author page

Ezra Jack Keats biography

Ezra Jack Keats was an American author and illustrator best known for his work in children’s literature. He was born in 1916 and became widely recognised for his innovative use of collage and vibrant illustrations. Keats wrote and illustrated numerous books, often focusing on the experiences of children in urban settings.

Keats is particularly noted for his book The Snowy Day, published in 1962 by Viking Press. This book features a young boy named Peter exploring his neighbourhood after a snowfall and is recognised for its pioneering portrayal of an African American child as the central character in a full-colour picture book. Keats both wrote and illustrated The Snowy Day, and the book received the Caldecott Medal in 1963.

Throughout his career, Keats created more than twenty books as both author and illustrator, and he also illustrated works by other writers. His stories often depict everyday moments and emotions, with a focus on inclusivity and the urban experience. Keats’s distinctive artistic style, which frequently incorporated collage, paint, and patterned paper, has been influential in the field of children’s literature.

Ezra Jack Keats’s The Snowy Day was awarded the Caldecott Medal in 1963.