Blog #3 - A Sick Day for Amos McGee

 

I admit I have many books in my classroom I have not read. Some are found in the treasure trove of a retiring teacher's collection, some were purchased with intent for future reads, and some have been purchased with the plan for emergencies. A Sick Day for Amos McGee was added to my classroom library and placed in the emergency substitute read-aloud collection box. I judged a book by its title and appreciated a Caldecott award-winning book would of course be a perfect addition for a day I wasn't in the classroom. Shame on me. This book is more than having a sick day. This book is about friendship and caring for those who support you. Observing the steadfast nature of the zookeeper, Mr. McGee through the calm, quiet illustrations of this book, one can understand the connection he has with his animal friends. The personification of the elephant playing chess, the tortoise racing, the shy penguin sitting, the rhinoceros with his allergies, and the owl requesting to hear a story at night because it is scared of the dark, connects the reader to discovering that personal connection with Mr. McGee as well. Knowing this schedule is set daily with the zoo animal friends when Mr. McGee does not arrive at work as he always does, the animal friends leave the zoo to go check on their zookeeper friend. Just as he took care of the animals at the zoo, the animals take care of him when he is feeling sick. Not only can the reader connect with the intertwining relationship Mr. McGee has with the animals, but the message of caring for each other is also relayed in such a gentle fashion. The illustrations appear to be pencil and woodblock, casting a quiet tone in this heart-warming storyline. 

No longer a book placed in my emergency substitute box, A Sick Day for Amos McGee, winner of the 2011 Caldecott Medal, will be incorporated as a text for compassion, empathy, rhythm, and pattern of life and building lasting friendships. I look forward to sharing this tranquil story with my students.