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) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.

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.)

In this new title featuring the characters of Caldecott Award--winner A Sick Day for Amos McGee (2010), zookeeper Amos hasn't slept a wink, anticipating tomorrow's special trip with the animals. But come morning, while prepping to leave, Amos nods off at the kitchen table. When he's awoken by the bus' "beep-beep," he knows he's too late, and he treks to the zoo on foot. He tries to prepare the animals for disappointment, since he fears having to cancel their outing, and while doing his chores, he tells Penguin, Rhinoceros, and Owl exactly how he got behind--and, incidentally, lost his favorite hat. Plus, where's Tortoise? Eventually, tuckered-out Amos succumbs to a snooze on a bench. The animals let their beloved zookeeper pal rest, finishing the chores themselves. And when Amos awakes to discover their kindness, they have just enough time to catch the bus for their outing--a trip to the beach to watch the sunset. Lovely, expressive woodblock-and-pencil illustrations judiciously employ soft-textured color and line, depicting the characters and events with sweet, gently comical details--Penguin holds up a "Shh! QUIET, please!!!" sign as Amos naps; a bird, mouse, and cat have side activities of their own; and the animals have creative ways of completing zoo chores. Amos' and the animals' mutual affection and support is evident throughout in this wholly delightful follow-up that also stands well on its own.

Amos McGee and his menagerie of zoo-animal pals (A Sick Day for Amos McGee, rev. 5/10) return for a second tale of steadfast interspecies friendship. After the sleep-deprived zookeeper misses the bus to work, forgets his lunch, and drops his hat, an afternoon at the beach is in jeopardy. The City Zoo's elephant, tortoise, penguin, rhinoceros, and owl come to Amos's aid, completing his work duties in entertaining fashion and locating his missing possessions (with help from a friendly neighborhood mouse and yellow bird). While echoing many of the narrative beats and visual idiosyncrasies of the Caldecott-winning original, this companion volume features a significant increase in double-page spreads -- resulting in a deliberately paced narrative punctuated by slight variations across repeat settings. For example, a notable sequence of six sparely illustrated scenes, of the tortoise incrementally returning to the zoo with Amos's lost items, is equal parts humorous, heartwarming, and triumphant -- thanks to the less-is-more text and canny layouts. A limited color palette is applied to detailed pencil drawings through a woodblock printing process, resulting in a pleasing woodgrain texture across all printed surfaces -- from tree foliage to rhinoceros hide. A sweet conclusion finds Amos and the animals with time to catch the afternoon bus for the beach. An elegant and assured addition to the gentle world of Amos and his friends. Patrick Gall November/December 2021 p.82(c) Copyright 2021. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.