Publisher: Roaring Brook Press
ISBN: 9781596437111
Reading Level: Ages 4–8
Main Character: Amos McGee, a kindhearted zookeeper.
Plot: In A Sick Day for Amos McGee, gentle Amos takes the
time each day to care for his animal friends at the zoo, playing chess with the
elephant, reading stories to the owl, and wiping the rhino’s runny nose. But
one day, Amos is too sick to come to work. His friends decide to return the
favor with a surprise visit to his house.
Settings: A cute little house and a friendly zoo.
Genre/Theme/Style: Children’s fiction, friendship, kindness,
gentleness, uplifting, animals,
sickness, empathy, germ prevention, & zoos.
I Gave This Book 5 Roars! 🦁🦁🦁🦁🦁
Why 5 Roars? This is a perfect wind-down book. It’s quiet,
sweet, and deeply comforting, the kind of story that settles kids down before
bedtime or after a long summer day. It's also a great reminder for germ prevention
before little ones go back to school.
Critical Analysis: The story values everyday kindness and care for our friends, making it an emotional classic. Erin Stead’s illustrations are delicate and full of character.
Connections: Great for SEL (social-emotional learning),
especially themes like empathy, patience, and caring for others. Could be
paired with The Rabbit Listened by Cori Doerrfeld or used in classroom
discussions about helping friends.
