Every morning zookeeper Amos McGee makes himself oatmeal and takes the bus to work at the city zoo. Amos makes time every day to visit his friends; playing chess with the elephant; running races with the tortoise; reading stories to the owl; sitting quietly with the shy penguin; and having a handkerchief ready for the rhinoceros who usually had a runny nose.
One morning when Amos does not show up, the animals worry about him. They take the city bus to Amos’ house and spend the day with him, doing what they can to make their friend feel loved and better.
This is a beautiful story about the reciprocity of friendship with wood-block and pencil illustrations.
Amos McGee always made time to visit his good friends, but one day he woke up with the sniffles and the sneezes and didn’t make it into work. Later that day, he receives some unexpected guests who remind him of the value of friendship.
ISBN: 978-1-59643-402-8 32 pages All Ages
Recommended by: Alice Cyphers, Librarian, PA USA
Keywords: Caldecott Medal winner 2011, zookeeper, animals, fun, friends, friendship, helping others, illness, 4 year old, 5 year old, 6 year old, 7 year old