Readers will journey to the zoo with Amos McGee as he visits with his friends: a shy penguin, an allergy-ridden rhinoceros, an owl afraid of the dark, a race-winning tortoise, and a chess-playing elephant. However, when Amos finds himself sick in bed, it is all of his animal friends who travel across town to help him feel a little better. Philip C. Stead writes this refreshingly simple tale by incorporating classic illustrations and clear text as he shows just how important good friends can be. The woodblock and pencil techniques used by illustrator Erin Stead allow for the full depth of each character’s emotions and eccentricities to shine through. There is no doubt that this sweet story, and Caldecott winner, will become a family classic. A Sick Day for Amos McGee can be found in the Easy section under E STE and is appropriate for families with children ages 3-8.
