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.

Edwina, The Dinosaur Who Didn't Know She Was Extinct

Bibliography

Willems, Mo. 2006. EDWINA, THE DINOSAUR WHO DIDN'T KNOW SHE WAS EXTINCT. Ill. by Mo Willems. New York: Hyperion Books for Children. ISBN 9780786837489

Plot Summary

From the very first page of this charming picture book written by award-winning author and illustrator Mo Willems, we are introduced to Edwina, a warm and friendly dinosaur who has captivated the hearts of everyone in town.  It seems as though there is nothing she cannot do.  Not only is she useful for helping reach high places, she also enjoys playing with kids, assisting “little old ladies” across the street, and baking delicious chocolate-chip cookies for everyone in town!  Edwina is adored by everyone – everyone, that is, except for a little boy named Reginald Von Hoobie-Doobie.  Reginald is a young man who knows “just about everything about just about everything,” and he’s not afraid to share his knowledge with those around him.  Being somewhat of an expert on dinosaurs, Reginald decides that it is his duty to inform the rest of his community about the fact that dinosaurs are extinct.  However, nothing Reginald does seems to change anyone’s opinion about Edwina and he begins to feel increasingly frustrated because no one will listen to anything he has to say.  When Edwina notices how upset Reginald is, she offers to listen to him.  Little does she know that he is going to tell her the truth about dinosaurs.  Despite feeling shocked when she first hears the news, Edwina decides that she is not troubled in the least by this surprising information.  Once Reginald has finally shared what had been bothering him for so long, suddenly he realizes the fact that Edwina is a dinosaur is no longer as important to him as it had once been.

Critical Analysis

After taking a quick glance at the clever title of this picture book, I immediately knew that this story was sure to be just as entertaining as the many other stories that Mo Willems has become known for in the world of children's literature.  The tale of Edwina, a dinosaur who enjoys living in a town full of people who adore her despite the obvious fact that she is quite different from everyone else, is a fun and fanciful story that is sure to make readers chuckle with amusement at the townspeople's apparent lack of concern.  The fact that Edwina is a very large, green dinosaur does not seem to worry anyone in the least - after all, she has clearly proven time and again that she is a caring, thoughtful citizen in her community.  Even the smallest details of Edwina's appearance invite the reader to welcome her just as the townspeople do - her delicately painted nails, her sweet pearl necklace, and her pleasant smile make us feel as though she is an old friend we've known for years.  


However, in spite of the engaging story of a gentle dinosaur discovering the truth about herself, the animated cartoon style found in every illustration are this book's true rewards.  The strategic use of lines and soft yet distinct colors help to express each character's emotion at various points throughout the story.  Whether it's the joy that Edwina brings into the lives of those around her through her famous chocolate-chip cookies, or the gradual irritation that finally explodes into Reginald's emotional outburst after unsuccessfully trying to make his voice heard, Mo Willems has perfected the art of designing facial expressions that flawlessly portray what each character is truly feeling.  The colorful, full page illustrations naturally combine with the smaller black and white pictures to create a children's book that never becomes old.  One can read this story again and again, each time discovering a new detail in the meticulous illustrations they may not have noticed the time before.  Children will also delight in finding a few familiar faces hidden throughout the illustrations, as Mo Willems decides to have Pigeon and Knuffle Bunny stop by for a visit in Edwina's happy community.

Awards

• Child Magazine Best Children’s Book Award 2006
• National Parenting Publications Awards Gold Medal Award Winner
• Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Book Platinum Award Winner
• Bank Street College of Education Best Children’s Books of the Year 2007
• Book Sense 76 Pick

Review Excerpts

“Buoyant pastel cartoons show how Edwina’s big-hearted ways (she helps old ladies cross the street and listens to the boy when no one else will) made a believer out of Reginald.” – Child Magazine

“Willems’s expressive cartoon style makes the most of his fabled ability with line.  Readers will enjoy Edwina in her straw hat, handbag, delicately painted claws, beribboned hat and simple strand of pearls, and especially her utter shock when she realizes she is extinct.” – School Library Journal

“A muted palette and two-dimensional backgrounds firmly situate Willems’s cartoons in an imaginary world of childhood, Edwina herself a masterful creation complete with hat, pearls and handbag, Reginald and the other humans Feiffer-esque in the expressiveness of their body language…a tribute to the child’s rock-solid faith in how the world should be, not how it really is.” – Kirkus Reviews

“These documentary-style pages allow Reginald’s frenetic, moody expressivism to take center stage even while they emphasize the pale futility of his endeavors.” – Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books

“Willems’s funny text and cartoon illustrations convey Reginald’s mounting frustration with everyone’s refusal to accept his argument as well as just how much Edwina means to the townspeople, who are untroubled by logical inconsistencies.  Willems also gives readers permission to accept this inconsistency, because even though of course dinosaurs are extinct, it really doesn’t matter in the book’s silly-fun fictional world.” – The Horn Book

Connections

After reading this picture book aloud, children may want to research the history of dinosaurs to see if they can discover exactly when dinosaurs became extinct.  This research could ultimately turn into a complete unit of study about dinosaurs.

Gather several other books that are written and illustrated by Mo Willems and have children compare/contrast the characters of Edwina and Reginald with other important characters he has created.  Are his characters similar in the way they express emotion?  Mo Willems is known for creating characters with strong personalities.  How do his illustrations convey these distinctive personalities?  Children can also investigate the various ways in which Willems conveys humor throughout his stories.  Does he accomplish this only through his illustrations, or through the dialogue and pacing as well?

During this story, Reginald is determined to prove a point.  In order to do this, he tries a variety of different things, including passing out flyers and protesting in the middle of the town.  Using these ideas as a starting point, discuss the idea of "freedom of speech" and what this freedom means in our country.  Once this concept has been discussed in more detail, children can brainstorm other ideas that Reginald could have used to share what he wanted to say (a few examples could include writing an article for the local newspaper or speaking at town meetings, depending on the ages of the kids).

Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day

Bibliography

Viorst, Judith. 1972. ALEXANDER AND THE TERRIBLE, HORRIBLE, NO GOOD, VERY BAD DAY. Ill. by Ray Cruz. New York: Aladdin Books. ISBN 0689711735

Plot Summary
Alexander is the star of this classic picture book by Judith Viorst, and the reader joins him as he describes an especially difficult day in his young life.  On this particular day, absolutely nothing seems to go Alexander's way.  From the moment he wakes up with gum in his hair at the beginning to his realization that the cat would rather sleep with his brother than with him at the end, poor Alexander cannot seem to catch a break.  The day that started off in such an unpleasant way continues to go downhill, and when Alexander tries to communicate his frustration to others, he is confronted with indifference and a complete lack of sympathy.  Only near the end of his day does Alexander mention that his mom explained that "some days are like that."  Although this story is hopelessly frustrating for Alexander, the reader is given the opportunity to watch a young boy learn a valuable lesson - there are many times in our lives when things simply do not go our way, and despite what we may think, everything will be okay in the end.

Critical Analysis
A wonderfully amusing story about the endless problems that a little boy encounters on a particularly bad day, Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day is a book that everyone can relate to.  Both children and adults have lived through the experience of having awful days where everything that happens to them seems to be getting worse and worse.  When reading this story, the connection becomes so personal that the readers almost feel as though they can pinpoint the exact day that they experienced the feeling of overwhelming frustration Alexander describes in this story.  The story's first person point of view is exceedingly effective in helping the reader feel the same emotions that Alexander himself is experiencing.  The timeless quality of Judith Viorst's story is surely the reason that this children's book has won over the hearts of readers for nearly 40 years.

In addition to the subtle humor found throughout this incredibly appealing story, the meticulous illustrations by Ray Cruz are instrumental in expressing just how horrible this day really is for Alexander.  The precise black and white pencil sketches are realistic renderings of people we know in our own lives - our mom, dad, siblings, and friends.  The illustrations beautifully express Alexander's aggravation and complete dissatisfaction with his horrible day, even down to the smallest details of his various pouts and frowns.  The ultimate message that children will discover from Alexander's story is that although bad days and bad moods are a part of everyone's life, they teach us to look forward to better days in our future.

Awards

• ALA Notable Children's Book
• George G. Stone Center Recognition of Merit
• Georgia Children's Book Award

Review Excerpts

“This book scores high on the reality meter; just about any school-age child has had at least one terrible, horrible day.  As a bedtime read for any kid who has just had one of those days, this one's a winner - it's almost guaranteed to chase away the blues.” – Common Sense Review

“Judith Viorst flawlessly and humorously captures a child's testy temperament, rendering Alexander sympathetic rather than whiny.  Our hero's gum-styled hair and peevish countenance are artfully depicted by Ray Cruz's illustrations.” – Amazon.com Editorial Review

Connections

After reading aloud this picture book, children can write stories describing what their own terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day would be like.  Just like Alexander's, their story can begin when they get up in the morning and continue until bedtime.  Encourage children to come up with a creative title for their story using different adjectives (for example, Jennifer and the Stressful, Awful, Dreadful, Very Rotten Day).  For something a little different, children could also rewrite the story by changing everything bad that happened to Alexander into something good.  For example, before going to sleep Alexander remembered to take the gum out of his mouth and cleaned his bedroom, so when he woke up he was happy.


Rather than creating their own stories, children can simply reflect about a time when they had a horrible day at school and write about it in their personal journals.  They can answer questions such as, What happened?  Did the day get better?  How did it change?  Who helped make it better?  In the story, Alexander decided that moving to Australia would solve all of his problems.  Have the children decide where they would move, and write about why they would choose that place and how moving to that place would solve all of their problems.  Once they are finished, all of the places they chose can be shared and pointed out on a world map.


As a class, brainstorm a list of things that might turn a good day into a bad one.  Next, the children can conduct a survey and vote on which one of their ideas they agree with the most.  Once they have finished, they can turn the survey results into a graph.


The way Alexander deals with the difficult situations he finds himself in throughout this story make this children's book suitable for philosophical discussions.  Issues including moods and emotions, envy, fight and flight responses, and making mistakes are all addressed within this story.  The following website includes more detailed information about these issues, along with a set of discussion questions that can be used after reading this book with children.

Discussion Questions