The Snowy Day, published in 1962, has been a wintertime favorite now for more than 50 years. It is the story of a small boy exploring his neighborhood on a snowy day. He sees all of his familiar landmarks covered in a thick blanket of snow. He puts on a warm snowsuit, he makes snowballs, he builds a snowman, he listens to his boots crunch in the snow, he slides down a big pile of wonderful snow, and follows it all with a warm bath before putting his snow day to bed. The story captures all the wonderful things experienced with all five senses when we wake up to a snow-covered morning. In the city, in the country, on a school day, or a snow day-off day, fresh snow is a thrilling experience!
You can listen right now to this animated version of The Snow Day expertly and wonderfully read aloud by composer, poet, and artist, Napoleon Maddox. You can learn more about this storytime classic in A Poem for Peter: the Story of Ezra Jack Keats and the Creation of the Snow Day.
Talk!
After listening to the story, talk about some of the things that happened in it.
- When Peter went out into the snow, what were some of the things he did to have fun?
- What happened to the snowball that Peter put in his pocket to save for the next day?
- When Peter went to sleep, what did he dream? Did his dream come true?
- If there was a snow storm here, what would you like to do?
Read!
Click on one of the book covers below and listen to more winter stories read aloud.
Find more FREE online reading at 100+ Free Video Read Alouds or try storytime at home!
You can use your IndyPL library card to check out e-books, audiobooks, and other streaming content about snow from home, right to your device. See our digital snow collection from Axis 360 Kids and OverDrive Kids, or come visit us!
Need help? Ask a Library staff member at any of our locations or call, text or email Ask-a-Librarian.
Sing!
Enjoy this sing along from Laurie Berkner. Use her pattern to make a monster mask to sing and play along! "I'm the biggest monster that you've every seen! My eyes are yellow and my teeth are green!"
Write!
Find some crayons or makers to color a picture, practice writing the letters, or see if you can follow your way through a maze without getting stuck.
- Printable: Fancy Nancy Splendid Snowman
- Printable: The Snowy Day
- Printable: The Snowy Day Activity Kit
- Printable: Snowflake Drawing Activity
- Printable: Frozen Maze
Play!
Take a winter walk and read a story as you go! We invite you to visit StoryWalk® in Ruckle Street Park at 3025 Ruckle Street. Stroll through the park and read a book displayed in mounted frames. Or Skip. Or gallop!
- IndyPL Pinterest Board: Winter - lots of ideas for crafts and activities!
It's Cold, But It's Snow Much Fun! 26 Winter Favorites for Kids
It's true, there's no day like a snow day! Go out and play, and then cuddle up with some hot chocolate and a stack of these favorite winter tales. #indyplkids
Snow Globe Wishes
On an evening when the weather report predicts a snowstorm and the first flakes are beginning to fall, the wind starts to blow, the lights go out, and parents are late getting home. All of these things could seem a bit scary. Instead, what follows is the very best part of living in the blustery midwest - the lovely things that happen when snow slows us down to enjoy "a snow globe day." The morning brings a fresh blanket of snow and everyone comes out to play! After reading this one, "a snow globe day" just might enter your family's vocabulary!
The Snowy Day
This one has been a classic for more than 50 years, about a little boy in the city out on a very snowy day. Enjoy is as a video read along from the Ezra Jack Keats Foundation in this video animation https://youtu.be/FmZCQfeWjeQ. You can also enjoy it in Spanish, as well as signed in American Sign Language at https://youtu.be/ocMIAUvK3i8.
Snow Falls
Snow transforms a small town into a winter wonderland. A girl and her dog set out and make the most of every snow-filled moment: sledding, building snowmen and snowforts, making snowangels (and snowdogs), and drinking cocoa by a cozy fire as the snow continues to fall.