Summary Information
University of
Minnesota Libraries Children's Literature Research
Collections [clrc]
Keats, Ezra
Jack
Ezra Jack Keats
papers
1962-1980
CLRC-149
The collection contains
original production material for 2 titles published between 1963-64. It also
contains proof dummies and proofs only for 4 titles published between 1962-80.
Original production materials consist of 3 illustrations. Collection also
contains a autographed pamphlet
.6 cubic feet,
illustrative material
See Detailed Descriptions for Each Title Item
for Box Locations
English
Important Information for Users of the Collections
Access and Use:
Collection is open for researchers with no restrictions. Registration
with the collection is required.
Copyright:
This collection is protected by the Copyright Law of the United
States (Title 17, U.S. Code). It is the user's responsibility to verify
copyright ownership and to obtain all necessary permissions prior to the
reproduction, publication, or other use of any portion of these materials.
Processing Information
This collection was processed with financial assistance from the
National Endowment for the Humanities.
Biographical
Sketch
Ezra Jack Keats was born March 11, 1916 in Brooklyn, New York. He
attended the Art Students League and studied painting with the noted artist and
children's book illustrator Jean Charlot. He worked as a muralist for the
W.P.A. during the Depression, and later as an instructor at the School of
Visual Arts in New York City. In 1954 he illustrated his first book for
children, Jubilant for Sure, by Elizabeth C. Lansing. During his career Keats
illustrated books for many different authors and in 1960 he illustrated and
co-wrote with Pat Cherr the bilingual book, My Dog is Lost! or, Me Perro Se Ha
Perdido. In 1962 he wrote and illustrated The Snowy Day, which was widely
praised by critics for his unique style of blending painting and collage in
vivid colors, as well as for depicting African American children in natural
surroundings. The book won the Caldecott Medal in 1963. Critics have lauded
Keats' works both for his texts and his illustrations, calling his stories
universal, classless, timeless, and his illustrations notable for innovative
use of collage. Keats died on May 6, 1983 in New York City.
Biographical Sources: Something About the
Author vols. 14, 34, 57; Children's Literature
Review, vol. 35; Twentieth Century Children's
Writers, 3rd ed. pp.510-11
Scope and Content
Keats' papers focus on his work as an illustrator of children's books.
The collection contains original production material for 2 titles published
between 1963-64. It also contains proof dummies and proofs only for 4 titles
published between 1962-80. Original production materials consist of 3
illustrations, one in pencil with a separation, two in collage and tempera.
Collection also contains a autographed pamphlet entitled, A Conversation with
Ezra Jack Keats.
Indexing Terms
The collection is indexed under the following headings in the catalog
of the University of Minnesota Libraries. Researchers desiring materials about
related topics, persons or places should search the catalog using these
headings.
Keats, Ezra
Jack
Accession Information:
Ezra Jack Keats gave the collection to the U. of Minn. in 1966 with
additional items added in 1978 and 1980.
Gift of:
Keats, Ezra Jack
Arrangement
Jim Can Swim, 1963
Letter to Amy, A, 1968
Louie's Search, 1980
Miscellaneous, n.d.
Our Rice Village in Cambodia, 1963
Snowy Day, The, 1962
Zoo, Where are You?, 1964
Collection Contents
Jim Can Swim
1963
MC1007
proof dummy
44 p.
Letter to Amy, A
1968
MC1025
sheet proof
1 p.
MC1025
sheets illustration proof
15 p.
Louie's Search
1980
MC1007
proof dummy
44 p.
Miscellaneous
n.d.
MC1158
autographed pamphlet entitled, A Conversation with Ezra
Jack Keats
1 p.
Our Rice Village in Cambodia
1963
MC1025
pencil illustration with 1 separation
1 p.
Snowy Day, The
1962
New York: Viking Press, 1962
MC1158
uncut sheet proof
1 p.
MC1158
autographed pamphlet
1 p.
Zoo, Where are You?
1964
MC1025
collage and tempera illustrations
2 p.