This just in from the Ezra Jack Keats Foundation.  You know, picture book authors and illustrators should be so lucky as to have a foundation established in their name.  Not only does it sound neat but you get your creations possibly placed on stamps n’ such.  Posthumously, sure, but it’s still cool.  From the press release:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                October 27, 2008

For further information:  718-965-1266

CELEBRATE THE 50^TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE SNOWY DAY

BY EZRA JACK KEATS

HELP CREATE A COMMEMORATIVE POSTAGE STAMP

          The U.S. Postage Stamp Citizen’s Advisory Committee, the group that decides what subjects are chosen for our country’s commemorative postage stamps, is considering celebrating the 50^th Anniversary of the publishing of THE SNOWY DAY by Ezra Jack Keats.  This book is not just an American classic beloved by generations of children and parents around the world; it is also the book that broke the color barrier in mainstream American children’s book publishing. 

It takes three years for the subject of a postage stamp to be considered, accepted and developed.  The fiftieth anniversary of THE SNOWY DAY is in 2012.  Help us gather signatures to send to the Citizen’s Advisory Committee to let them know how welcome this stamp would be to families and educators across the country.  Help us show the world that Ezra’s character Peter, playing in the snow, a character they recognize and treasure, is as valued here as it is abroad.            To support the creation of THE SNOWY DAY 50^th Anniversary Commemorative Stamp visit the website of the Ezra Jack Keats Foundation (www.ezra-jack-keats.org) and add your name to the Support the Stamp list.  Tell your friends, your students, your teachers and your parents to add their names to our petition. Names will not be used for any other reason than for THE SNOWY DAY Stamp Petition, nor will they be shared or sold to any other entity.  Help make 2012 a celebration of American children in all their diversity!

Filed under: Press Release Fun