A Sick Day for Amos McGee

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

Awards: Caldecott, 2011.

I absolutely was enamored when I read A Sick Day for Amos McGee. I am a firm believer that picture books are not just for kids, and this book was yet another one that I would add to my collection. The illustrations are “old style” in that they appear to have a look that could me matched with books illustrated forty plus years ago, but that makes the book that much more engaging. As you read about Amos visiting his friends in the zoo as he goes about his daily work there, and then when he gets too sick to come to work his friends decide to go visit him, the illustrations don’t just show the text they also add to the story. A little mouse, a bird, and a balloon are illustrated in each page but aren’t mentioned in the words of the story. The attention to detail as seen in the expressions on each face, and the added extra of a “hidden story” make this book one that could be enjoyed more by sharing and exploring each page. My love of animals and how the zoo friends came to visit Amos reminded me of the times when I was younger and home sick from school. My cat and dog would curl up on the bed and keep me company until I was better. The book brought back a warm feeling of home.