Author:  Ezra Jack Keats

Awards:    N/A

Synopsis:  Peter loves his dog Willie and wants be able to whistle so his dog will come to him.  After much practicing, Peter does it and Willie comes running! Wonderful illustrations and a good lesson in perseverance.

Grades: Pre-K to 2nd

Genre: Fiction

Citation:  Scholastic Book Wizard

Author:Ezra Jack Keats

Awards:N/A

Synopsis:Peter's birthday is coming up

and he wants to send an invitation to his

friend Amy. A strong wind blows it out of

Peter's hand as he is on his way to the

mailbox post it. The classic Keats

illustrations tell of his adventures to get it

back and complete his task. Good way to

bring the topic of friendship into the

classroom.

Grades:K-2

Genre:Fiction

Citation:Scholastic Book Wizard

Author:Ezra Jack Keats

Awards:Caldecott Medal

Synopsis:Peter wakes up to a world that

has turned white. He goes outside to

explore his urban, snow covered city with

adventures and discoveries along the way.

Collage-like illustrations that clearly show

what a young black boy's neighborhood

looks like after the first snowfall bring the reader into the story.

Grades:Pre-K -2

Genre:Fiction

Author:Ezra Jack Keats

Awards:N/A

Synopsis:In this book Peter learns to cope with

feelings of jealousy as he sees all of his baby things

being turned pink and handed down to his new

baby sister. He decides that she won't get his

favorite chair and that he will take it with him when

he runs away. As Peter tries to sit in his chair for a

rest, he realizes that he is just too big for it, so his

baby sister might as well have it. A great story to

use to introduce and teach about sibling rivalry and

the feelings that come when a new baby arrives.

Grades:Pre-K -1

Genre:Fiction

Citation:Scholastic Book Wizard, Goodreads

I don't think I'd ever read this one before, but I'm glad I've read it now. The story is beautiful in its simplicity. The mixed-media illustrations look fresh fifty plus years later. This book is a great example of how white authors can produce great books about children of color. It does not have to be a fraught process. It can be as simple as telling a universal story and centering it on non-white characters.