The Snowy Day
By Emily Ashby,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
Love and community central to holiday book adaptation.
A Lot or a Little?
What you will—and won't—find in this movie.
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Diverse Representations
Main character is a Black boy; he and his family all act as strong role models. Ethnic and cultural diversity within the neighborhood, with Jewish, East Asian, and Latino characters all sharing elements of their own holiday traditions and cultures. Some traditional gender roles are reinforced within the main family, with mother and grandmother cooking and father being out at work.
Inclusion information: Black actors
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The Snowy Day
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Based on 24 parent reviews
It's a warm blanket
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What's the Story?
In THE SNOWY DAY, a young boy named Peter (voiced by Donielle Hansley) sets out on a snowy walk to his grandmother's (Angela Bassett) home to escort her -- and her traditional macaroni-and-cheese dish -- back to his house for a Christmas Eve party. Along the way, he meets neighbors, makes new friends, and plays in the snow, until a mishap threatens to ruin the day. As Peter reconsiders the meaning of Christmas, he comes to see that it's the people around you who make the holiday season special.
Is It Any Good?
With an accomplished voice cast and animation reminiscent of the original picture book, this interpretation takes viewers on a charming journey through Peter's neighborhood on a snowy winter's day. Building on a story that was one of few children's books to feature a Black central protagonist back in the 1960s, The Snowy Day introduces a diverse cast of characters into its city setting, highlighting the mix of cultures and faiths within Peter's community.
With the likes of Laurence Fishburne, Bassett, and Boyz II Men (who pop in as a capella singers on the street) among the voice cast, this simple and wholesome TV retelling has broad appeal. It's a gentle story with familiar stanzas from the book and warm themes about family, friends, and traditions to set the scene for the holidays.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about gratitude in The Snowy Day and in general. What are you grateful for? Why do you think gratitude is an important character strength?
Talk about holiday traditions. What are some of your family's favorite things to do around the holidays? How do they reflect your faith or heritage?
How does Peter's community compare with yours? Is your community very diverse? How do our differences help us to grow?
If you've read the book, compare it to this screen version. What did the adaptation add to the story? Did the screen version fill in any gaps or change how you understood Peter's adventure?
Movie Details
- On DVD or streaming: November 25, 2016
- Cast: Laurence Fishburne, Regina King
- Directors: Jamie Badminton, Rufus Blacklock
- Inclusion Information: Black actors
- Studio: Amazon Studios
- Genre: Family and Kids
- Topics: Book Characters, Friendship, Holidays, Music and Sing-Along
- Character Strengths: Curiosity, Gratitude
- Run time: 59 minutes
- MPAA rating: NR
- Award: Common Sense Selection
- Last updated: April 6, 2023
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Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.
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