Philip Greenberg
Ezra loved the Brooklyn Public Library: his visits sustained him during his difficult youth, fueling his dreams of being an artist. And the BPL loves Ezra, hosting the EJK Bookmaking Competition and exhibiting the winning books. Why does Keats matter to the library and its users? BPL President Linda E. Johnson explains.
Learn more about Linda E. Johnson at www.bklynpubliclibrary.org/.
Ezra Jack Keats forever changed children’s literature and the lives of countless young readers when he depicted an African-American boy playing in an urban environment in The Snowy Day. For decades, Keats gave a voice to youth who were underrepresented in children’s books and worked tirelessly to promote literacy. Drawing inspiration from his childhood spent in Brooklyn, he became one of the world’s most important children’s authors and illustrators, and to this day, his delightful imagination and vivid artwork continue to captivate audiences. It is a tremendous honor to host the annual Ezra Jack Keats Bookmaking Competition at Brooklyn Public Library and to help inspire the next generation of authors and illustrators.”
