Publishers Weekly
09/06/2021
In this follow-up to A Sick Day for Amos McGee, the pale-skinned zookeeper plans to finish his work chores early so he can take all of his animal friends on an outing—but, instead, he falls asleep at the kitchen table. Though the resultant rush for the bus unfolds at a page-turning pace, Amos ends up walking anyway as the book turns gently sedate. Upon arrival, he apologizes to the elephant waiting at the chess table: “I hope you are not upset.” (The expression of deep, wordless concern on the elephant’s face makes it clear that, on the contrary, the worry is all for Amos.) When Amos finally falls asleep mid-chore, as a tired zookeeper will sometimes do, the animals finish his work for him—“The rhinoceros made sure all the littlest creatures were fed,” writes Philip Stead. This sequel by the married collaborators accurately duplicates the world of its predecessor. Erin Stead’s skillful pencil and woodblock print art gives Amos and his charges compassionate expressions, making them the kinds of characters who draw the best out of each other. By their works, they create around them an attentive atmosphere of patience, loving kindness, and—when the work is done and they pile onto a bus—quiet, good cheer. Ages 2–6. (Nov.)
From the Publisher
THREE STARRED REVIEWS!
*"[A] worthy sequel to the Caldecott-winning A Sick Day for Amos McGee...In a world of sickness, strife, and stridency, it is a pleasure to spend time again with Amos McGee and his zoo friends." - School Library Journal, starred review
*"Wholly delightful follow-up that also stands well on its own." - Booklist, starred review
*"A welcome return of the kindly, Caldecott-winning zookeeper and his animal friends...Sensitive, warm illustrations infuse subtle humor...and are perfectly paced." - Kirkus, starred review
"Erin Stead’s skillful pencil and woodblock print art gives...an attentive atmosphere of patience, loving kindness, and...good cheer." - Publishers Weekly
"An elegant and assured addition to the gentle world of Amos and his friends." - Horn Book
"Erin Stead’s familiar pencil and woodblock art evinces old school charm, with soft dappling, scratchy linework, and a muted palette. Fans can only hope that Amos and pals continue their shenanigans in future titles." - The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books (BCCB)
School Library Journal
★ 09/17/2021
PreS-K—In this worthy sequel to the Caldecott-winning A Sick Day for Amos McGee, the Steads return to the world of kindly, elderly, and gangly Amos McGee, incorporating elements of the first story that readers loved. All the zoo friends are back, and Amos rides the big, blue number five bus to and from work. However, this time, Amos's predictable, quiet life is altered not by a cold but by a lack of sleep. Amos's excitement over planning an outing for his zoo friends prevents him from getting a good night's sleep, causing him to snooze at the breakfast table and miss his bus. When he finally arrives at the zoo, poor Amos cannot stay awake, so while he sleeps, the concerned animals take care of him in a variety of ways, resulting in the friends being able to take Amos's planned trip. The woodblock artwork is just as gorgeous as in the original, and the illustrator seems to have fun expanding slightly on Amos's world, showing his new bedside table, his wingback chair, and a mysterious giraffe that rides the number five bus. Until the friends are on their way to the beach, Amos looks a bit less content than in the first book. Luckily, his smile returns. VERDICT In a world of sickness, strife, and stridency, it is a pleasure to spend time again with Amos McGee and his zoo friends.—Sally James, South Hillsborough Elem. Sch., CA
Kirkus Reviews
★ 2021-09-15
A welcome return of the kindly, Caldecott-winning zookeeper and his animal friends.
As in A Sick Day for Amos McGee (2010), the gentle zookeeper ends up receiving care from the very animals he tends. The stories’ shared sentiment of mutual responsibility and care is one well worth repeating, and here it’s delivered in a book that stands on its own but benefits from familiarity with the original. This time, Amos McGee doesn’t need the animals’ help because he’s sick; instead, they come to his aid after a series of mishaps caused by his excitement about a planned outing. At the beginning of the story, the gangly, White zookeeper’s happy anticipation keeps him awake at night in a homey setting that will be familiar to readers of the first book, with its yellow-striped wallpaper and quaint furnishings. Overtired the next day, he dozes at the breakfast table and misses the bus. In his subsequent rush to the zoo, poor, groggy Amos McGee loses his satchel and a favorite hat. Once there, he’s so worn out that he literally falls asleep on the job. This is when the animals pick up the slack, with Philp C. Stead’s understated text detailing the responsibilities they earnestly assume, while Erin E. Stead’s sensitive, warm illustrations infuse subtle humor into the scenes. Pages depicting a tortoise’s earnest perambulation are perfectly paced. (This book was reviewed digitally.)
Amos McGee is back, right on time. (Picture book. 3-6)
