A Sick Day for Amos McGee: Book & CD Storytime Set (Macmillan Young Listeners Story Time Sets) Product Bundle – May 2, 2017

A Sick Day for Amos McGee thrust its way into my heart in January 2011 when it won the Caldecott Medal. I had run a mock Caldecott unit with my third grade class, and this book wasn’t even on our radar enough to put on our ballots. I had some definite favorites that year, both for the Caldecott Medal and for timeless books I wanted to make sure I bought for my own children (Art & Max; City Dog, Country Frog; Ballet For Martha; Mirror Mirror; It’s a Book; Ubiquitous), and I was initially crushed when some of those favorites weren’t recognized at the ALA awards… Until I went to the bookstore that afternoon, bought A Sick Day for Amos McGee, and realized how amazing it was. Though Philip Stead had published one book previously, A Sick Day for Amos McGee was his wife Erin’s first illustrated book… and both newbies hit the nail squarely on the head with this charming, timeless book. Amos McGee, zookeeper who will remind adults of Mr. Rogers, is one of the more endearing book characters I can think of. He wakes early each morning, greets even the items around his house and the bus driver, and is extraordinarily devoted to the animals at his zoo. He knows each one intimately, taking care to make them feel comfortable and loved. Until, one day… Amos McGee gets sick. Amos’s tenderness with his animal friends is reflected in the worry they feel about him and the actions they take to ensure that he too feels comfortable and loved. This is the kind of story that makes children and adults alike want to treat their friends and loved ones the same way Amos McGee does.And the illustrations! Erin’s pencil and woodblock prints are done with minimal, reserved color, but are full of details that render each reading of those story new and exciting. I didn’t notice the repeated inclusion of a red balloon, tiny bird, and mouse until the fourth or fifth time that I read the book! Tiny details aside, Erin’s sketches allow the sweet, caring personalities of each character to show through. Readers feel genuinely concerned about the rhino with a runny nose, depicted with constant concern or worry on his face reflecting just how sick he feels, and compassionate toward the shy penguin, drawn with his wings and toes pointed in, as if he’s trying to curl up small enough to go unnoticed.Philip and Erin Stead, thank you for this book. A story of the kindest of friends, timeless illustrations leaving you with more with every reading… It was an instant favorite with my room full of third graders, and it is now a favorite with my own children (2 and 4.5). Publishers recommend this for ages 4-8, but it can definitely be enjoyed younger and likely older too!If you If you loved A Sick Day for Amos McGee, check out Bear Has a Story To Tell, the duo’s second collaboration together. It’s every bit as charming of a friendship story with as many fun details that make it new and interesting to read each time. For that matter, I love every single book that Philip Stead has written and every book Erin Stead has illustrated!

This is a heartwarming tale that beautifully captures the essence of friendship, kindness, and the reciprocal nature of caring for others. 🐘 The story revolves around Amos McGee, a dedicated zookeeper, and his cherished animal friends. When Amos falls ill, his loyal companions take it upon themselves to return the care and comfort he has always provided.The strength of this book lies not only in its endearing narrative but also in Erin E. Stead's captivating illustrations. The soft, muted tones and expressive characters create a visually engaging experience that complements the heartfelt storyline.As a parent, I appreciate how the book introduces the concept of empathy. Each animal's unique personality shines through, emphasizing the importance of understanding and attending to the needs of others. The gentle and reassuring tone of the book provides a comforting atmosphere, making it a perfect choice for bedtime reading.The book seamlessly weaves in themes of friendship, compassion, and the joy of giving back. It sparks conversations about reciprocity in relationships, reinforcing the idea that kindness and caring are reciprocal acts that create strong bonds. It also subtly conveys the importance of taking time for oneself when needed. 📚💕

I picked up a bunch of children's books recently. I use them when I teach English. The ones I bought were:A Sick Day for Amos McGeeThe Incredible Book Eating BoyZen Shorts1 Million DotsI bought these after I searched on the net for "children's books with a soul." In that search I found the following page: "Design Mom’s Top 50 Picture Books." These were all books that had been published since 2000. I wanted to see some newer, but good quality, books.A Sick Day for Amos McGeeVery charming and very surprising. I would recommend it to anyone. 5 StarsThe Incredible Book Eating BoyAlso, very funny. I'd be a little worried though that the book might teach kids to start chewing on books. A good book though. 4 stars.Zen ShortsGood. The art is wonderful. The outer story seems a little too thin though. It appears to be merely a vehicle for the author to tell the three inner stories from the book...which the author himself did not invent. I would have preferred to see the author put more effort into his own part of the story. In general though, Zen Shorts reminds me of the Disney movies "Song of the South" and "The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh." In both of these works, there is also an outer story that serves as a vehicle for smaller stories to be told. Unlike Song of the South and Winnie the Pooh though, there is no time for us to meet and fall in love with any of the characters within the story. Falling in love with the characters is a necessity that was neglected in this book, but was allowed to happen in both "A Sick Day for Amos McGee" and "The Incredible Book Eating Boy."It's a good book. But it needed to be larger and the author himself needed to contribute more. 3 stars.1 Million Dots has not yet arrived, so, I can't speak much about it.

This is by far one of my very favorite books. The story is beautiful, the illustrations are exquisite, and it is an excellent lesson is "visiting the sick." Truly excellent on every level!

We adore this book. The drawings are subtle and sweet depictions of friendship. Love these imaginative stories of friends and their connection.