While some critics questioned whether or not Keats––a white Jewish man––could rightfully tell the story of an African American child, most early reviews of the book focus on its collage illustrations instead of the protagonist’s race. As one article in a Baltimore Maryland-based African American newspaper said, “the illustrations are so appealing and colorful you will long remember them.”John, Jasper. "BETHLEHEM'S SNOWY DAY' BABY: A CHRISTMAS DIALOGUE." Afro-American, December 22, 1962. Other reviews did mention Peter’s race, but in a positive or neutral light. For example, critics claimed “there is no way to tell he is different from any other child except that you note his skin is a soft-brown” and that The Snowy Day is a “darling book on a little colored boy.”Norford, Thomisina. "On the Town." New York Amsterdam News (New York), March 23, 1963. Additionally, fan letters for Keats' book came from numerous African American activists, educators, and children who included their own collage artwork. One teacher told Keats that, for the first time, she watched as children selected brown crayons for their self-portraits.
