Bibliography

Select works by Ezra Jack Keats (1916-1983)

We have chosen the following books to create the annotated bibliography because we feel as though these books provide a reliable representation of Ezra Jack Keats’s writing style and illustrative approach. Keats is both the author and illustrator for all of these books. Likewise, many of these books use literary techniques that could be highlighted as point of instruction for students. One such technique is Keats’s use of illustration as the predominate conveyor of meaning within his books. See Kitten for a Day for a prime example of this.

Keats, Ezra Jack and Cherr, Pat. (1960) My Dog is Lost! New York: Thomas Y. Crowell.

Juanito is recently moved to the United States from Puerto Rico. As a recent immigrant, Peter does not speak much English. While he goes around the neighborhood looking for his dog, he meets a variety of children from different parts of New York City. This book is great for bilingual classes as the text and dialogue move between English and Spanish.  For ages 3-8. Themes: multiculturalism and community. 32 Pages.

Keats, Ezra Jack. (1962) The Snowy Day. New York: Viking Press.

The Snowy Day is a book that explores that wonders of snow, how it falls, and all the adventures and amazement a child can have on a snowy day. It features a young African American boy named Peter, who wears a red jacket and pants and wakes up one morning to find mounds of snow outside of his window. As the reader turns the pages they become immersed in the Keats’ descriptive language of Peter’s adventures in this wonderland of snow, from the snow ball he tries to save in his pocket and how it “disappears in the morning” to his many footprints left all around in the clean, white snow.  It is a great book that captures the interests, experiences and curiosity of students regardless of their gender, race or cultural background. Themes: weather, snow, the African American experience, winter, and outdoor urban activities. The Snowy Day is a level J and its grade level equivalency is a 3.2. 40 pages.

Keats, Ezra Jack. (1964) Whistle for Willie. New York: Viking Press.

Keats, Ezra Jack. (1965) John Henry, An American Legend. New York: Pantheon Books.

John Henry tells the tale an African American steel driver who engages in the mythical struggle of man vs. machine when he challenges a Steam Drill to a drilling contest through a mountain.  John Henry's narrative paints him as a righteous and heroic person since birth who was destined to become a legend.  In the end John Henry beats the steam drill, but he dies as he walks out of the tunnel making him a martyr and hero for all who dare to persevere.  Themes: legend, myth, African American Hero, railroads, industrial revolution. This book's treatment of a historical and mythical tale can be incorporated well with the RL standards for grade 4, while its grade level equivalency is 3.3. 32 pages.

Keats, Ezra Jack. (1966) God is in the Mountain. New York: Henry Holt.

This vivid and sublime work by Keats uses his artistic style to illustrate religious quotes from around the world, drawing from diverse sources ranging from the Quran, Bhagavad-Gita, Lao-Tzu, and Rabbi Hillel, among others. Some of the quotations relate to each other, others do not. This book is simply a celebration of the diversity of human culture and our common spirituality. Themes: cultural diversity, religion, spirituality. This book could be used for both young students and older students depending on its treatment. For ages: 5-100. 36 pages.

Keats, Ezra Jack. (1966) Jennie’s Hat. New York: Harper & Row.

Keats, Ezra Jack. (1967) Peter’s Chair. New York: Harper & Row.

This book also features Peter. Peter has a new baby sister and so his parents start to paint baby furniture pink. When they try to paint Peter’s chair, he decides to run away with his dog, Willie. For ages 3-8. Themes: Sibling rivalry. 40 Pages.

Keats, Ezra Jack. (1968) A Letter to Amy. New York: Harper & Row.

Peter is having a birthday party! He wants to invite his friend Amy, so he writes her an invitation. He wants the invitation to be a surprise but on the way to the mailbox, he bumps into her. He worries that the surprise will be ruined. For ages 3-8. Theme: friendship. 32 pages.

Keats, Ezra Jack. (1969) Goggles! New York: Macmillan Publishers.

Keats, Ezra Jack. (1970) Hi, Cat! New York: Macmillan Publishers.

Keats, Ezra Jack. (1971) Apt. 3. New York: Macmillan Publishers.

Keats, Ezra Jack. (1972) Pet Show! New York: Macmillan Publishers.

Keats, Ezra Jack. (1973) Pssst! Doggie-. New York: Franklin Watts.

Keats, Ezra Jack. (1973) Skates! New York: Four Winds Press.

Keats, Ezra Jack. (1974) Dreams. New York: Macmillan Publishers.

Roberto leaves the paper mouse that he made in school that day on the ledge of his window. That night, everyone in Roberto’s apartment building falls asleep except Roberto. Sleepless, he gets up to look out the window and sees his friend Archie's cat being cornered by a big dog. Roberto doesn't know what to do, but his paper mouse saves the day! For ages 3-8. Theme: shadows. 40 pages.

Keats, Ezra Jack. (1974) Kitten for a Day. New York: Four Winds Press.

Puppy finds a litter of kittens. They ask him if he is a kitten too, to which he responds “I think so.” So, the kittens invite Puppy to play with them. Puppy hangs out with the kittens all day, although he has trouble doing some of the more “kitten-y” activities. For ages 3-8. Themes: animal behaviors, cats vs. dogs. 32 Pages.

Keats, Ezra Jack. (1978) Louie. New York: Greenwillow Books.

Keats, Ezra Jack. (1978)The Trip. New York: Greenwillow Books.

Keats, Ezra Jack. (1979) Maggie and the Pirate. New York: Four Winds Press.

Keats, Ezra Jack. (1980) Louie’s Search. New York: Four Winds Press.

Keats, Ezra Jack. (1981) Regards to the Man in the Moon. New York: Four Winds Press.

Keats, Ezra Jack. (1982) Clementina’s Cactus. New York: Viking Press.

Keats, Ezra Jack. (1998) One Red Sun. New York: Viking Press.

Keats, Ezra Jack. (2002) Keats’s Neighborhood: An Ezra Jack Keats Treasury. New York: Viking Press.