A Sick Day for Amos McGee
Written by Philip C. Stead
Illustrated by Erin E. Stead
1. Bibliography
Stead, Philip C.A Sick Day For Amos McGee. Ill. New York , NY
2. Plot Summary.
A Sick Day for Amos McGee is a beautifully drawn picture book that children will enjoy. The main character Amos is an older man and zoo keeper who makes time to visit his animal friends in the Zoo each day. He plays chess with an elephant, runs races with a tortoise, sits with a shy penguin, lends a handkerchief to a rhinoceros, and reads bedtime stories to an owl. One day Amos wakes up sick and is unable to visit the Zoo. The animals at the zoo wonder what happened to him and decide to visit Amos instead. When the animals visit Amos at his house they take care of him the same way he took care of them.
3. Critical Review
A Sick Day for Amos McGee has gently flowing text that is enjoyable but might be difficult for young readers to read on their own. The reading level of this book is a 3.6 or third grade level. The author shows the reader the importance of friendship and dedication to ones friends through the relationship between the main character, Amos, and the animals. The animals in this story are given human characteristics such as being a shy penguin or an owl that is afraid of the dark, which young readers can relate too.
The author stresses throughout the story that Amos makes time each day to visit his animal friends. The author shows the reader how Amos seems to know just what the animals need to make them happy. When Amos is sick the animals travel to Amos’s house to take care of Amos the same way that Amos took care of them. The animals are childlike in thinking that Amos has the same needs that they have when he is sick.
The text is enjoyable but it is the illustrations that really make this book special. The illustrations in A Sick Day for Amos McGee are beautiful black and white pictures with different elements drawn in color. Erin Stead uses a woodblock print technique and sketches, to create the elaborate pictures that are unique to the world of picture books. Throughout the story the illustrator draws the reader’s attention to the relationship between Amos and the animals by highlighting them in color and by making the background mostly black and white. The colors help the reader focus on the characters and what is happening in the story before viewing the toned down but intricate background drawings.
The illustrator always shows the main character Amos wearing the calm and natural color of green. Perhaps the color represents the character's calm manner and his love of nature in working at the zoo. The last two pages of the story take place in Amos’s house with a bright yellow background, colorful animals, and a blue bedspread. These pages have more color on them than most of the pages. The colors that the illustrator used combined with the animals all cuddled up next to Amos, give the impression of happiness and love between friends.
This book is a great children’s book that I would recommend to any parent, teacher, or librarian. The pictures and words are geared toward young and early elementary children, but the message speaks to any age. The way that Amos and his friends take care of each other reminds the reader that we should be kind to each other, spend time with our friends, and take care of them when they need it.
4. Review Excerpts
American Library Association Notable Books for Children-Winner
Bank Street Best Children’s Book of the Year
Caldecott Medal-Winner
Capitol Choices Notworthy Titles for Children and Teens
Charlotte Zolotow Award-Honor Book
NYPL Book for Reading
Publishers Weekly Best Children’s Book-Winner
STARRED review, Publishers Weekly: “Newcomer Erin Stead's elegant woodblock prints, breathtaking in their delicacy, contribute to the story's tranquility and draw subtle elements to viewers' attention.”
STARRED review, Kirkus Reviews: "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."
STARRED review, Kirkus Reviews: "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."
Horn Book Magazine: "Erin Stead's attentively detailed pencil and woodblock illustrations reveal character and enhance the cozy mood of Philip Stead's gentle text."
5. Connections
This book can be used to teach students about the importance of friendship and taking care of each other. Other books about friendship:
Frog and Toad are Friends by Arnold Lobel ISBN: 0064440206
Marshmallow by Claire Turley Newbrerry ISBN: 0060724889
This book can be used to help teach young children about the order of events in the beginning middle and end of a story and could also be used to make text to self connections about the order of events in ones day.
Lesson Idea:
Separate a poster board into three columns beginning, middle, and end. Using index cards the teacher writes what Amos does throughout the story. (Ex. Wakes up early and eats breakfast. Rides the bus. Plays chess with the elephant.) Then together the class reads and puts the index cards in the right columns. The teacher could also talk about the daily routines of the class and make a list of all the activities the students do each day.
This book could be used to discuss healthy habits and being sick. Discuss a time when you stayed home sick and a friend or family member took care of you.
Other books about sick days:
The Berenstain Bears: Sick Days by Mike Berenstain ISBN: 0060573929
The Sick Day by Patricia Maclachlan ISBN: 0440417716
When Vera Was Sick by Vera Rosenberry ISBN: 0805068325
Owen & Mzee: The True Story of a Remarkable Friendship by Isabella Hatkoff ISBN: 0439851130
Help!: A Story of Friendship by Holly Keller ISBN: 0061239135
