Ezra Jack Keats (1916-1983) is the Caldecott Medal winning author of The Snowy Day , which broke ground in 1962 as one of the first picture books for young children to portray a realistic, multi-cultural urban setting. Since its initial publication, The Snowy Day has come to be regarded as both a children's classic and one of the most important picture books ever written/illustrated. Ezra Jack Keats' legacy lives on in the popularity of his most famous character, Peter-the star of The Snowy Day , Whistle for Willie , Peter's Chair , A Letter to Amy , Goggles , and others. Visit the Ezra Jack Keats Foundation online at www.ezra-jack-keats.org .