Ezra- Jack-Keats: Classroom Newsletter

Keats Film Festival

"Take Two"

Previous Takes

January "Take One"

FUN FACTS

SNOWY DAY: Originally, half of the illustrations for THE SNOWY DAY were in color and half in black and white. Ezra's publisher insisted that they all be in color! Can you imagine Peter's snowsuit in black or gray, instead of red? We are grateful that the book was produced just the way it was, in glorious color.

DREAMS: Ezra is famous for constructing his illustrations with collage. Did you know that he made the paper with swirls used in all the skys and many of the windows in DREAMS by floating colored ink on water and then pressing paper gently on top? Here is a look on how it's done, it's called marbling.

Extra Extra !

More games are coming to the Kid's Corner on our website! Stay tuned for fun and healthy activities for your kids

Dear Friends,

This has been a very hard winter here in Brooklyn, Ezra's old home town. But soon it will be spring! That's why we're featuring A LETTER TO AMY for the March installment of the Keats Film Festival. Spring is when we have thunderstorms in New York City, just like the one featured in A LETTER TO AMY. and just as Peter celebrates his birthday in this beloved book, we will be celebrating Ezra's birthday on March 11. Celebrate with us by sending in a video of a child you love enjoying A LETTER TO AMY.

Sincerely,

Deborah Pope

Executive Director

Ezra Jack Keats Foundation

"Take Two" DREAMS

Next up: "Take Three"

A LETTER TO AMY

Peter's birthday party is coming up and all the boys have been invited. But the list is not complete! There is one more friend Peter wishes would come. He writes a special invitation and goes out to mail it even though his mother warns him that a storm is coming. the wind blows the invitation out of Peter's hands and sends him on a wild chase. Then the most unlikely collision happens and now Peter wonders if his birthday wish will come true.

Fun Fact:

Look at the back cover of A LETTER TO AMY. Do you see the names of people scribbled like graffiti on the wall in the picture? Very few people know this...but those names are the names of Ezra's friends and co-workers! There are actually a few other secrets like this in Ezra's books and we'll tell you about these secrets in coming newsletters.