The Snowy Day & Winter Scene with Figures Playing Kolf

Featured Book: The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats
Featured Artwork: Winter Scene with Figures Playing Kolf by Aert van der Neer

In the book The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats, Peter explores the freshly fallen snow with his body by walking, climbing, sliding and playing in the cold landscape.

In his landscape painting Winter Scene with Figures Playing Kolf, artist Aert van der Neer (Dutch, 1603–1677) depicts a game of kolf. Kolf is played on ice and is similar to both golf and ice hockey. Despite the cold weather, van der Neer’s subjects find joy playing in the snowy environment.

Have you ever been to a snowy place? Imagine you are walking in the painting or playing in the snow with Peter. What does it feel like? Pretend like you are in the snow and walk with your toes pointed in, walk with your toes pointed out, walk and drag your feet behind you. Lie down and make a snow angel. Imagine you are climbing a mountain—now, slide down the mountain. Do you think it would be fun to play in the snow? Draw a picture of what you would do if you were in a snowy landscape.

If you don’t have access to the featured book, select something similar from your child’s book shelf or your local library. Many of the books are also available as read-aloud videos online.