I never knew this wonderful anthology existed until I saw it in @ohcreativeday's Instagram feed (Thanks, Shannon!). Keats's Neighborhood: An Ezra Jack Keats Treasury is a collection of ten of his most notable works: The Snowy Day, Whistle for Willie, A Letter to Amy, Peter’s Chair, Goggles!, Jennie’s Hat, Hi, Cat!, Apt. 3, Louie’s Search and Pet Show! Keats’s Neighborhood also features reflections on his work and insights into Keats's life, methods and legacy from five writers and illustrators who had the privilege of calling him their friend. An excerpt from Anita Silvey's introduction:
“With nearly two million copies in print, ‘The Snowy Day’ alone would confirm Keats’s place in the pantheon of great children’s book creators. To have made one of the two picture-book masterpieces of the early 1960s (the other being Maurice Sendak’s ‘Where the Wild Things Are’) would be enough of a legacy. But by bringing multicultural publishing to the forefront of our consciousness, Keats has influenced children’s books for four decades. Hence his achievements proved even greater than his books.
On the fortieth anniversary of ’The Snowy Day,’ children and adults alike can celebrate this giant, Ezra Jack Keats, and his accomplishments. Because he could think with the mind of a child, children love his books. Because he remained true to his convictions, adults admire his artistic integrity. With great courage and in the face of adversity, Keats took the less-traveled, more difficult road—and that has made all the difference in children’s books.”