A Sick Day for Amos McGee

Bibliography

Stead, Philip C.  2010.  A SICK DAY FOR AMOS MCGEE.  Ill. by Erin E. Stead.  New York, NY:  Roaring Brook Press.  ISBN 9781596434028

Plot Summary

This precious story captures the sweet friendship between a zookeeper named Amos McGee and the animals he visits each day at the zoo.  Whether he's running races with the tortoise or reading stories to the owl at sunset, Amos McGee is never too busy to spend some quality time with his friends.  Although he is a creature of habit who follows the same schedule each day of the week, one day poor Amos wakes up with the unfortunate discovery that he is sick "with the sniffles, and the sneezes, and the chills."  After deciding that he won't be able to make it to work that day, the author leads us back to the zoo where we find the animals patiently waiting and wondering where their friend Amos might be.  Through the illustrator's detailed yet subtle pictures, the reader is taken on a journey along with his animal friends as they walk right out of the zoo entrance and hop on to the same bus that Amos rides every day.  Despite the fact that the reader has already predicted where the animals are headed, Amos is pleasantly surprised later that day when some of his good friends show up at his house to keep him company.  The story ends with an endearing illustration of Amos and all of his friends sleeping peacefully after spending an enjoyable day together.  After all, having good friends is a truly wonderful thing.

Critical Analysis

It's hard to imagine that this is the first book that Erin Stead has illustrated.  Every page is filled with charming details that add a touching sense of realism to this fictional story.  From the soft bunny slippers that Amos McGee wears on the very first page, to the mysterious red balloon floating outside the window at the end, this picture book invites children everywhere to use their shrewd observation skills while studying each page.  It goes without saying that children will ask questions about the significance of the tiny mouse, the friendly sparrow, and the red balloon that they will surely notice in nearly every picture.  The precise pencil sketches and hints of color that we find throughout this award-winning picture book beautifully portray the individual personality of each character and the depth of the friendship that exists between Amos and his animal friends.  We can see for ourselves the comfort the shy penguin feels with Amos sitting next to him, and we can feel the sadness the elephant experiences when he suddenly realizes that he has no one to play chess with.  The story written by Philip Stead is simple, yet reveals a timeless message of the value and satisfaction one receives in being a good friend to others.  The fact that Amos McGee chooses to share his friendship with animals at the zoo is certainly appealing to young children.  Doesn't every young child wish to become friends with the penguins or the elephants at the zoo?  A Sick Day for Amos McGee is a truly delightful story that will touch the hearts of readers, both young and old.

Awards

• 2011 Caldecott Medal Winner
• 2011 Charlotte Zolotow Honor Book
• Kirkus Reviews 2010 Best Children’s Books
• Publisher’s Weekly Best Children’s Picture Books of 2010
• The New York Times Book Review Best Illustrated Children's Book Award of 2010

Review Excerpts

"The story is tender without being saccharine.  The muted color palette in Erin Stead's woodblock print and pencil illustrations adds warmth and restraint, just right for the tenor of the story.  Stead's rendering of the animals is magnificent.  Children will ask the reader to pause so that they can gaze a little longer at the pages of this beautiful, soulful book.  This is a book to love." - YC: Young Children Journal

"The earth-toned pencil illustrations tell the story exquisitely." Language Arts Journal

"Newcomer Erin Stead's elegant woodblock prints, breathtaking in their delicacy, contribute to the story's tranquility and draw subtle elements to viewers' attention." - Publisher's Weekly

"Erin E. Stead's beautifully wrought woodblock prints and pencil work create almost painfully expressive characters...this gentle, ultimately warm story acknowledges the care and reciprocity behind all good friendships." - Kirkus Reviews

"Erin Stead's attentively detailed pencil and woodblock illustrations reveal character and enhance the cozy mood of Philip Stead's gentle text." - Horn Book Magazine

"Whether read individually or shared, this gentle story will resonate with youngsters." - School Library Journal

Connections

The central theme of friendship resonates throughout this story.  After reading A Sick Day for Amos McGee to young children, you can lead a discussion about the various qualities that Amos and each of his animal friends possess that make them caring friends to one another.  There are several other examples of children's books that portray strong friendships despite the differences the main characters may have, including the following titles:

• Chester's Way by Kevin Henkes
• George and Martha by James Marshall
• Frog and Toad Are Friends by Arnold Lobel
• Henry and Mudge by Cynthia Rylant
• Toot and Puddle by Holly Hobbie
• Yo! Yes? by Christopher Raschka

Another follow-up activity to reading this story aloud would be to have children write and illustrate their own story about a special friendship (either real or imaginary).  Once these stories are written, they can even be combined into a class book and the children can work together to come up with the perfect title for their special book about friendship.