Hello, friends! Today’s book is A Sick Day For Amos McGee, written by Philip C. Stead and illustrated by Erin E. Stead, a perfectly charming tale of a zookeeper and his beloved animal friends.

Amos McGee starts every morning the same way: he wakes up, winds his clock, dresses in a freshly pressed uniform, eats his tea and oatmeal, then takes the bus to his job at the city zoo. There, he has a busy day, but he is always sure to make time for his very best animal friends. He plays chess with the elephant, races the tortoise (whom he always lets win), sits in comfortable quiet with the shy penguin, holds a handkerchief for the rhino with allergies, and reads a bedtime story to the owl (who is afraid of the dark). Every day is just the same, until the day that Amos wakes up with a terrible cold and must stay home. His animal friends begin to worry when he doesn’t show up for work, so they take the bus to his home, where they find him sick in bed and apologetic for not being able to care for them that day. Well, seeing that their loyal friend needs their help, the animals know what they must do, and proceed to care for Amos just the way he has cared for them – kindly, lovingly, and as true friends do.

This book is a sentimental favorite of many little bookworms and their parents, and it’s easy to see why. It’s a gentle tale with lovely illustrations that leaves you with a warm feeling in your heart. Amos and his animals’ tender friendship is wonderfully written, and each character is drawn with an element of realism that makes a fantastical story seem very real. The length is great, and JJ and I both really enjoyed it. A quietly sweet story that will leave you with a smile, and it’s Baby Bookworm approved!