The National Center for Children’s Illustrated Literature is hosting the free event Dec. 2. A free book will be given to the first 150 children in attendance.
ABILENE, Texas — Free holiday fun for the family is back in Abilene for the second year in a row.
The National Center for Children’s Illustrated Literature is hosting its annual Snowy Day at the NCCIL, based on a picture book by illustrator Ezra Jack Keats.
The event is set for 10 a.m.-noon Dec. 2 at the NCCIL, 102 Cedar St. as sponsored by the Ezra Jack Keats Foundation.
Keats is best known for his Caldecott Medal-winning book, A Snowy Day, published in 1962 and released as an Amazon Prime short film in 2016.
The film included an original song by performance group Boyz II Men along with narration by Lawrence Fishburne.
Keats died in 1983 but his legacy has lived on in many ways, including an exhibit celebrating his work at the NCCIL in 2000.
This year’s event honors Keats’ work while allowing visitors to create a book ornament with program director Beth Joy, enjoy donuts in the morning, write letters, take photos and visit multiple displays at the center.
Additionally, attendees can meet and take photos alongside Santa and Mrs. Claus, and the first 150 children will also receive a free donated book.
This event is made possible thanks to the Ezra Jack Keats Foundation, which has continued to keep the writer’s memory alive.