A Sick Day for Amos McGee
Author: Philip C. Stead
Illustrator: Erin E. Stead
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Summary: A Sick Day for Amos McGee is about an old man who works at a zoo. Amos
McGee enjoys waking up very early, making breakfast, and going to work every day.
While at work, Amos plays chess with the elephant, runs races with the tortoise, sits with
the penguin, wipes the rhinoceros’ nose, and read stories to the owl. One day, Amos
wakes up and he does not feel good. The animals miss Amos, so they go and visit him at
home. Amos and the animals do all of their usual activities at Amos’ house. Amos begins
to feel much better, just in time to go to bed and wake up the next morning for work.
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Awards received:
o 2011 Caldecott Medal Winner
o 2011 Notable Children’s Book
o Kids Wings Award Book
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Book Review: 2010 Booklist Review: “Zookeeper Amos McGee always makes time to
visit his good friends at work: he plays chess with the elephant, runs races with the
tortoise (who always wins), sits quietly with the penguin, lends a handkerchief to the
rhinoceros (who has a runny nose), and reads stories to the owl (who is afraid of the
dark). Then, after Amos gets a cold, his friends miss him, and they leave the zoo and ride
the bus to his place to care for him and cheer him up. Like the story, the quiet pictures,
rendered in pencil and woodblock color prints, are both tender and hilarious. Each scene
captures the drama of Amos and the creatures caring for each other, whether the elephant
is contemplating his chess moves, his huge behind perched on a stool; or the rhinoceros is
lending Amos a handkerchief; or the owl is reading them all a bedtime story. The
extension of the familiar pet-bonding theme will have great appeal, especially in the final
images of the wild creatures snuggled up with Amos in his cozy home.” -Hazel Rochman
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Author’s Website: Philip C. Stead: http://philipstead.com/about/
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Illustrator’s Website: Erin E. Stead: http://erinstead.com/
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Discussion Questions:
Before:
o Judging from the cover on the front of book, who do you think is Amos McGee?
o Why do you think a man, an elephant, and a penguin would be playing cards
together?
o What do you think this book will be about?
During:
o Where do you think Amos works?
o What is your favorite activity to do during the day?
o What do you think the animals will do when they find out Amos is not coming to
work?
After:
o What did you think when the animals came to visit Amos at home?
o What activities would you have done with the animals if you were Amos?
o Have you ever had to stay home from school when you were sick? Was your
experience like Amos’ experience?
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Curricular Activities:
o Reading/Oral Language- Have the students repeat key words in the story after
you have read them. Discuss their meanings together.
o Writing- Have the students journal about what they would do if they had to stay
home sick from school.
o Math- Count the animals that are seen on each page. There are many hidden
animals within the pictures.
o Science- Discuss the methods Amos would have to use in order to take care of
each animal at the zoo. Talk about the type of food each animal would eat, the
habitat in which they would live, and other ways Amos would have to help them
survive in the zoo.
o Art- Have the students draw pictures of what they would do on a sick day when
they would stay home from school.
o Drama- Have students act out the story and have them write their own lines for
the characters. The characters do not say anything in the story, so have the
students be creative when making up the dialogue.
o Cooking Food- Make the oatmeal and tea that Amos makes every morning.
o Technology- Using an online paint program, have the students draw the
characters of the story.
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Related Books:
o City Dog, Country Frog by Mo Williams, illustrated by Jon J. Muth
o Barnyard Song by Rhonda Gowler Greene
o Nanny Goat’s Boat by Jane Moncure
o Substitute Groundhog by Pat Miller
o Bear Feels Sick by Karma Wilson
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Other Books Written by Philip Stead:
o Creamed Tuna Fish and Peas on Toast
o A Home for Bird
o Jonathan and the Big Blue Boat
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Other Books Illustrated by Erin Stead:
o And Then It’s Spring
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Websites and Activities:
o The Best Children’s Books.org
http://www.the-best-childrens-books.org/A-Sick-Day-for-Amos-McGee-lesson.html
This Website provides activities related to the story A Sick Day for Amos McGee. It
gives ideas such as writing activities, art projects, and other lessons for each subject
in the classroom.
o Kids Wings
http://suzyred.com/pbks2011_Sick_Day_for_Amos_McGee.html
This Website provides worksheets and art ideas to do with students in the classroom.
It focuses on the pictures and illustrations in the story.
o Home School Share
http://homeschoolshare.com/a_sick_day_for_amos_mcgee.php
This Website provides a unit study for A Sick Day for Amos McGee. It gives
worksheets and activities to go along with the story.