Module 3 A Sick Day for Amos McGee

Bibliographic Citation

Stead, P. (2010). A sick day for Amos McGee. New York: Roaring Book Press.

Summary

Amos McGee, the zookeeper, rose early to ride the bus to work at the zoo.  He always made time for his friends. His friends included the elephant, the tortoise, the penguin, the rhinoceros, and the owl.  One day he was sick and could not go to work.  His animal friends were worried and rode the bus to his house to check on him.  Through the day they made him feel better and being such good friends they stayed the night with their friend Amos McGee.

Impressions

This is a wonderful book about friendship and what is meant by being a good friend.  It shows children also that it is possible to have more than just one best friend.  I always found that to be an issue at the elementary level.  The artist had very detailed pen drawings and added only color to highlight or emphasize parts of the illustration to go along with the story better.  It helps children to focus on the colored pictures as a read aloud.

Suggestions For Use in a Library

1.  After reading as a read aloud, discuss what a good friend is and how a person can have more than one good friend.
2.  Have a discussion about the things Amos McGee did with each animal and what could be other possibilities and why he did not do the same with each animal.

Reviews

K-Gr 2--Amos McGee, an elderly man who works at the zoo, finds time each day for five special friends. With empathy and understanding he gives the elephant, tortoise, penguin, rhinoceros, and owl the attention they need. One morning, Amos wakes up with a bad cold and stays home in bed. His friends wait patiently and then leave the zoo to visit him. Their trip mirrors his daily bus ride to the zoo and spans three nearly wordless spreads. Amos, sitting up in bed, clasps his hands in delight when his friends arrive. The elephant plays chess with him, and the tortoise plays hide-and-seek. The penguin keeps Amos's feet warm, while the rhinoceros offers a handkerchief when Amos sneezes. They all share a pot of tea. Then the owl, knowing that Amos is afraid of the dark, reads a bedtime story as the other animals listen. They all sleep in Amos's room the rest of the night. The artwork in this quiet tale of good deeds rewarded uses woodblock-printing techniques, soft flat colors, and occasional bits of red. Illustrations are positioned on the white space to move the tale along and underscore the bonds of friendship and loyalty. Whether read individually or shared, this gentle story will resonate with youngsters.

Smith, M. (2010). A sick day for Amos McGee. School Library Journal, 56(5), 92.


Kindly zookeeper Amos McGee is a creature of habit, much like his animal charges.  Every day Amos follows the same morning routine; and when he gets to work, he "always [makes] time to visit his good friends.''  Amos has a special relationship with each one of his pals: he plays chess with the thoughtful elephant, races the tortoise "who never ever lost," quietly keeps the shy penguin company, has a handkerchief ready for the runny-nosed rhino, and reads stories to the owl "who was afraid of the dark."  Erin Stead attentively detailed pencil and woodblock illustrations reveal character and enhance the cozy mood of Philip Stead's gentle text.  Wiry, elderly Amos has a kindly Mister Rogers air about him; the animals while realistically rendered overall, display distinct personalities without uttering a word.  When Amos stays home one day to nurse a cold, his friends have just the right medicine: they make time to visit their good friend.  Two wordless spreads showing the animals (and one peripatetic red balloon) taking the bus to Amos's house have an almost surreal quality, which adds some low-key anticipation to the understated story.

Flynn, K. (2010). A sick day for Amos McGee. Horn Book Magazine, 86(3), 72-73.


Amos works at a zoo. He befriends a shy penguin, he reads to an owl, and he races with a tortoise.  Amos takes care of the animals who also happen to be his friends.  He is a dedicated employee who takes his job seriously, and the animals rely on Amos to perform his caretaker duties.  But what happens when the zookeeper gets sick?  The animals come and take care of him.  This is a sweet, but simple story about the value of friendship, loyalty, dedication, and duty.

Swan, P. (2010). A sick day for Amos McGee. Library Media Connection, 29(1), 71.