A Sick Day for Amos McGee

A Sick Day for Amos McGee
Written by Philip E. Stead and Illustrated by Erin E. Stead
Publisher: Roaring Book Press
May, 2010
Grade Level: K-2
Themes: Friendship

Summary: Amos McGee is a zoo-keeper. He has a lot to do everyday, but he still finds the time to visit his friends. His friends are zoo animals. He has lots of fun playing with the animals, but one day Amos wakes up with a horrible cold. He can't go into work. His friends wait and wait for him, but he never shows up. The animals are very sad, they then decide to take the bus to Amos's house. Amos is delighted and they play games such as chess and hide and seek. At the end of the book they have a sleepover.

Reflection: This is one of my favorite books! This book makes me feel as if I have been reading it from the time I was very little until now. It feels like a classic. This is a really great story about friendship. The children will find it entertaining how all the animals leave the zoo and show up at Amos McGee's house to play with him. Amos is a cute elderly man and is so nice to the animals. There are awesome life like illustrations with hints of color.  This book is a Caldecott Medal Winner. The illustrator uses woodblock printing techniques and a pencil.

Pre-Reading: Tell the children that this is a story about friendship. Ask the children to think about their friends. What makes a good friend and what kinds of things do you do with your friend? I will record their responses on chart paper.

Post-Reading: Discuss Amos and how kind he was to his friends. When Amos got sick his friends went to see him. Tell the children to write a short paragraph describing what they would do for a friend or family member if they got sick and then draw a picture.

About the author:

Philip E. Stead is the author of the New York Times Best Illustrated Book of 2010 and Publisher's Weekly Best Children's Book of 2010 Amos McGee. Philip's wife, Erin illustrated the book. Philip, also an artist, both wrote and illustrated in debut, Creamed Tuna Fish and Peas on Toast. Philip lives in Michigan.