Keeping On in Snowy Days

With all of this snowy weather amongst us (and the fact that it is Black History Month), I thought it was time to write about Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats, one of my favorite books when I was a little girl.  For those of you who are not familiar with this book, it was published in 1963 and was one of the first children’s books to feature an African-American child.

Are you wondering why I am writing about a children’s book on a career blog?  Well, here it goes. 

Peter, the main character, is a young boy in the city and wakes up one day to a snow filled landscape.  Peter explores the snow with wonder and amazement, sliding down snow drifts and making foot prints, snow angels and snow balls. More than likely, this is not Peter’s first time in the snow, but he explores this snowy unexplored landscape with an eagerness and boldness like it was all new to him. 

As Peter goes about his exploration, snow plops on his head and he keeps going. He encounters a group of big boys in a snowball fight and he gets hit but he keeps going.  Lastly, he makes a snowball and puts it in his pocket innocently thinking that it will remain there until the next day.  He goes home cold and tired, and sadly, the snowball melts in his warm house. Peter is very sad. At this point in the story, you would think he would be done with the snow! How frustrated he must be! I certainly would be. But he wakes up the next morning after dreaming of a warm sun melting the snow to even more snow falling.  So, what does Peter do? No, he doesn't go back to sleep in his warm bed.  He excitedly brings his friend with him outside for a new adventure in the snow!

So, the next time you feel like giving up (as I did the other day driving home in white out icy conditions), think of Peter. The next time, you feel frustrated, or feel like you are getting hit from all directions, think of Peter. Go out into the world each day like it is a new adventure, and if you need to go ahead and bring a friend along for support like Peter did.  And if you want The Career Center to be that support, that friend, we would be happy to join you on your adventure! 

Suzanne Pike, Director of
Assessment and Career Development