Winner of the 2011 Caldecott Medal, this understated picture book features the dedicated and loyal friendship between zookeeper, Amos McGee, and his friends, the zoo animals. Amos is a man of routine and although he’s a busy man, he visits his friends once a day. The time Amos spends with each of his friends is special and unique and shows Amos’ dedication and love for his friends. One day when Amos cannot work because he is sick in bed, his friends take the bus to take care of him, just as he has taken care of them.

The illustrations expand upon the text, giving the reader deeper insights into the characters. The design and are layout are simple using details to draw you into the story. Color is used sparingly, but with great impact. The palette, like Amos, is soft and gentle. The use of woodblock printing and pencil creates very delicate, detailed illustrations. The illustrations do such a wonderful job of celebrating the little things. There aren’t fireworks and parades; instead the celebration is in the details.

Full Review at Picture-Book-a-Day: http://picturebookaday.blogspot.com/2...