A Sick Day for Amos McGee

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

Philip Stead's book, A Sick Day for Amos McGee, is a Caldecott Medal winner, and it's obvious why after taking a look at this heart-warming story. Amos McGee works at a zoo taking care of the animals. He spends everyday making sure the animals get special one on one attention, such as sitting quietly with a penguin and reading stories to the owl.  One day, Amos becomes ill and is unable to go to the zoo.


Like many picture books and much of children's literature, Stead anthropomorphizes the animals in the story.  The animals are not just personified; they actually take on the characteristics given to them.  Anthropomorphizing the animals in A Sick Day for Amos McGee allows the readers to feel sympathy for the animals when Amos doesn't show up for work one day.

Erin Stead, the illustrator of the book, also creates strong emotions through the use of line throughout the book.  The majority of the book is completed in pencil and ink drawings.  There is very little color used throughout; however, the color that is used is very eye catching.  The audience is meant to focus on the object(s) on each page that is colored.  This form of minimalism is meant to aid the reader in the plot of the story.  At one point, the illustrations actually take over the story.  So much is said by the expression of the animals and the use of color.

A Sick Day for Amos McGee would be a wonderful book for the upper primary grades.  Stead creates suspense and teaches about true friendship.  Questions the reader may ask:  What would happen if Amos didn't show up for work again?  Do I have any friends that I would visit if they were sick?  How do the animals repay Amos for his kindness?

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Once Upon MacDonald's Farm