Amos McGee Misses the Bus
By Philip C. Stead
The Story
A friendly zookeeper who's always on time oversleeps and misses his bus, putting a surprise he planned for his animal friends in jeopardy — so they set out to help him.
Why It's Special
For families who fell for the quiet friendship of A Sick Day for Amos McGee, this reunion shows what happens when the caretaker needs caring for.
- Big idea: Friendship runs both ways — the people who show up for us deserve to be shown up for, too.
- Vibes: Gentle, unhurried, and quietly tender, with the same soft warmth as the original.
Perfect For Kids Who
- enjoy calm, character-driven animal stories
- are working on understanding that friends help each other
- respond well to slow-paced, thoughtful storytelling
- like familiar characters returning in a new adventure
Ask Your Little Reader
- Story & problem-solving: What do you think Amos's animal friends did to help him after he missed the bus?
- Feelings & empathy: How do you think Amos felt when he realized he'd overslept and missed his bus?
- Real-life connection: Have you ever felt bad about being late or forgetting something important?
- Imagination: What kind of surprise do you think Amos was planning for his friends?
- Character connection: If Amos McGee were your friend, how would you help him have a good day?
