The Snowy Day Stamps 2017

The U.S. Postal Service showcases the work of Ezra Jack Keats’ most beloved story, The Snowy Day, on Forever stamps. Written and illustrated by the celebrated children’s author, it was one of the first prominent 20th-century picture books devoted to an African-American child. Each of the four new stamps in this 20-stamp booklet features a different illustration of main character Peter exploring and playing in his neighborhood while wearing his iconic red snowsuit. The images include: Peter forming a snowball, Peter sliding down a mountain of snow, Peter making a snow angel and Peter leaving footprints in the snow.

Since the publication of this treasured tale five decades ago young readers have enjoyed joining Peter on his winter adventure. Unlike most popular children’s authors at the time, Keats made a point to feature ethnically and racially diverse characters in his work. Inspired by a series of 1940 Life magazine photographs of a young African-American boy, Keats began writing The Snowy Day. Using paper collage, fabric, stamps and India ink, he crafted the unique look of the story’s wintry urban landscape. Edited by Annis Duff and published in 1962, The Snowy Day has become a classic. Since its release, it has sold millions of copies. “In 1962, a groundbreaking book hit the library shelves — The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats. Before this book, children of color — African-American children, in particular — saw very little representation of themselves in picture books,” added Sallay. “And then came Peter. A young boy who awoke to find the world outside his window blanketed in snow, and who couldn’t wait to get outside and play. Through Peter, children of color found a positive representation of themselves, which instilled a sense of pride and self-acceptance. One that said, I both fit and I belong.”