The Postal Service dedicated The Snowy Day stamps Oct. 4 in New York City.
The four stamps celebrate Ezra Jack Keats’ beloved 1962 children’s story, “The Snowy Day,” the first prominent 20th-century picture book featuring an African-American child.
Each stamp showcases a different illustration of Peter, the main character, exploring his snow-covered neighborhood while wearing his iconic red snowsuit.
“Before this book, children of color — African-American children, in particular — saw very little representation of themselves in picture books,” said Government Relations and Public Policy Acting Executive Director Rod Sallay, who dedicated the stamp.
“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.”
The ceremony was held at the Brooklyn Central Public Library, where speakers included Deborah Pope, executive director of the Ezra Jack Keats Foundation; Brooklyn Public Library President Linda Johnson; and Andrea Davis Pinkney, an award-winning children’s author.
The stamps are available at Post Offices and usps.com. The Postal Service’s news release has more information.
