February 2, 2018
Module 3: Caldecott Winner
Title: A Sick Day for Amos McGee
Genre: Caldecott Winners 1990-2017
Book Summary:
The story is about a zookeeper who travels to his job every day and takes care of the animals, who he considers his friends. One day he becomes sick and the animals do everything they can to get to the zookeeper to take care of him.
Stead, P. (2010). A sick day for Amos McGee. New York, NY: Roaring Brook Press.
Impression
This book brought a smile to my face. I liked how the expressions of the zookeeper were illustrated into the expressions of the animals. When Amos was happy, the animals were happy. When he was sad, the animals were sad. The illustrator uses muted colors in the beginning and middle of the book, but when the animals arrive at Amos' house and see that he is ok, the color red is brightened, especially in the balloon and the rhino's scarf. The story tells the tale of what it means to be a true friend.
Professional Review:
Amos McGee, an elderly zookeeper, enjoys a clockwork life (one teaspoonful of sugar for oatmeal, two for tea and the number five bus to work) until the sniffles force him to stay in bed and miss his daily visits with animal friends. Fragile, gangly Amos, in striped pajamas and ill-fitting zoo uniform, appears as crushingly vulnerable as a child. Children will immediately like and understand him, as they too take comfort in reassuring routines—and would certainly love playing chess with an elephant or running races with a tortoise! Muted greens, browns and blues dominate pages, while brighter yellows and reds leaven the palette’s mild melancholy. Erin E. Stead’s beautifully wrought woodblock prints and pencil work create almost painfully expressive characters. Wrinkles and crinkles describe the elephant’s sagging mass and the rhino’s girth, as well as their keen sensitivity. Owl’s furrowed brow communicates deep concern even as the group heads to Amos’s home to check on him. This gentle, ultimately warm story acknowledges the care and reciprocity behind all good friendships: Much like Amos’s watch, they must be wound regularly to remain true. (Picture book. 2-6)
MCGEE, A., Stead, P., Stead, E., (2010). A sick day for Amos McGee. Kirkus Reviews. Retrieved 28 January 2018, from https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/philip-c-stead/a-sick-day-for-amos-mcgee/
Library Use:
The librarian could use this book to teach the students about friendship. Create a list of ways the story shows that the zookeeper and the animals are friends. The librarian could also discuss the benefits of helping others just like Amos and the animals do in the story.
The librarian could use this book to teach the students about friendship. Create a list of ways the story shows that the zookeeper and the animals are friends. The librarian could also discuss the benefits of helping others just like Amos and the animals do in the story.
Readalikes:
Bear’s New Friend This story is about Bear and his friends trying to convince shy owl to play with them. Another story about friendship.
A Weekend with Wendell This story is about two children who manage to find common ground and build a friendship from there.
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