by Kerry Falwell
Inspired by the book Snowy Day, exhibit modifications and educational programming will focus on winter wonders throughout December 2025. Snowy Day was written by Ezra Jack Keats and originally published in 1962. The book follows Peter as he experiences his neighborhood after the first snowfall of the year. The book was named one of the 88 books that shaped America by the Library of Congress in 2012, among several other honors. Snowy Day is one of several books featured in Storyland, a traveling exhibit on display at Florida Children’s Museum through January 11, 2026. The exhibit was developed by the Minnesota Children’s Museum in partnership with the books’ publishers.
Why is this theme important?
Perspective and World View
Changing seasons is part of our natural world. However, children who live in Central Florida do not experience freezing temperatures, snow, and other winter things because of the tropical climate. By developing exhibit experiences and educational programming in this theme, children have a glimpse – or some level of reference – to help them relate to children living in other areas.
Necessary Language
Literacy depends on language. When children lack typical life experiences that naturally expose them to new language, it is harder for them to put context to their reading. For example, if math or reading assignment in school references a “Moose” as a character, a child with only Floridian life experiences is not likely to know the animal or draw context from a picture about it’s name. However, when they visit Florida Children’s Museum and participate in an educational program where they make “Moose tracks”, the child sees pictures of a moose, learns about their habitat, and takes home a work of their art to reinforce and remind them of the lesson when they get home. The child to came to that Museum program will have the context needed when they get to the question in school.
