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A companion to the Caldecott Medal–winning A Sick Day for Amos McGee

Written by Philip C. Stead Illustrated by Erin E. Stead

MACMILLAN CHILDREN’S PUBLISHING GROUP

Amos McGee Misses the Bus Written by Philip C. Stead • Illustrated by Erin E. Stead November 2021 Beep-beep! Amos awoke with a start. “Oh no!” he

Amos and his good friends—the elephant, the tortoise,

said, checking the time. “I am almost late for work!” He

the penguin, the rhinoceros, and the owl—are back in

grabbed his boots and his favorite hat, and dashed out

this companion story to the 2011 Caldecott Medal win-

the door.

ner, A Sick Day for Amos McGee.

Amos McGee, the friendly zookeeper, is always on

Philip and Erin Stead are the creators of picture book

time. But when Amos stays up late one night plan-

classics, such as A Sick Day for Amos McGee, Bear Has

ning an outing for his friends, things begin to go awry.

a Story to Tell, and Lenny & Lucy. They live in Michigan.

Luckily for Amos, some unexpected help is on the way.

steadcollection.com

MARKETING & PUBLICITY CAMPAIGN • Select Virtual and/or In-Person Author Appearances • Virtual and/or In-Person

• Digital Influencer Campaign Targeting Teacher and Librarian

Distribution to Booksellers,

Online Tastemakers

Reviewers, Librarians, Educators,

Appearances and Promotions at

• Author Videos and Book Trailer

Trade Shows and Book Festivals

• MacKids and MacKidsSL Social

• National Parenting, Trade, and Educator Media Campaign • Major National Consumer and Prepublication Trade Advertising Campaigns

• Extensive Digital E-Galley

Media Engagement Campaign

and Consumers • Major Promotion at National School and Library Conferences

• Email Marketing Campaign Targeting • Extensive Outreach to Key Educators Picture Book and Educator Subscribers

and Library Contacts • Dedicated Website at SteadCollection.com

Like what you read? Share your thoughts using #AmosMcGee.

This digital copy has been distributed for promotional and review purposes only. No other uses are allowed, including but not limited to consumer viewing. No sale or further distribution of this digital advance reader’s edition is permitted, except to others on your staff for review purposes only. Please do not post or share the link to this material. View and share it responsibly within your organization. We thank you for supporting the rights of our authors and artists in this endeavor. For more information, contact childrens.publicity@macmillan.com.

Roaring Brook Press An imprint of Macmillan 120 Broadway, New York, NY 10271 mackids.com

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Published by Roaring Brook Press Roaring Brook Press is a division of Holtzbrinck Publishing Holdings Limited Partnership 120 Broadway, New York, NY 10271 • mackids.com Text copyright © 2021 by Philip C. Stead Illustrations copyright © 2021 by Erin E. Stead All rights reserved. Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data is available. ISBN 978-1-250-21322-8 Our books may be purchased in bulk for promotional, educational, or business use. Please contact your local bookseller or the Macmillan Corporate and Premium Sales Department at (800) 221-7945 ext. 5442 or by email at MacmillanSpecialMarkets@macmillan.com. First edition, 2021 • Book design by Philip C. Stead and Jen Keenan The art for this book was handmade using woodblock printing and pencil. Printed in China by Toppan Leefung Printing Ltd., Dongguan City, Guangdong Province 1 3 5 7 9 10 8 6 4 2

Written by Philip C. Stead Illustrated by Erin E. Stead

roaring brook pres s new york

amos mcgee was too excited to sleep. All night long he lay awake on his pillow, planning an outing for his friends. “Of course, I’ll have to finish chores early tomorrow,” he said to a little mouse. “And I must remember the umbrellas.”

When the alarm clock clanged, Amos lowered his groggy legs out of bed and swapped his pajamas for a fresh-pressed uniform.

Amos set a pot of water to boil, forgetting, though, to light the stove. He sat down to wait for tea and (quite accidentally) took a nap in his kitchen chair.

Beep-beep! Amos awoke with a start. “Oh no!” he said, checking the time. “I am almost late for work!” He grabbed his boots and his favorite hat, and dashed out the door.

Beep-beep! Amos raced as fast as his feet would carry him.

Beep-beep! The number five bus disappeared out of sight. Amos hung his head. “There will be no time for an outing today,” he said with a sigh. Amos began his long walk to the City Zoo.

Out of breath, Amos McGee arrived late for work.

“I hope you are not upset,” he apologized to the elephant.

“It’s just that I did not sleep well last night,” he informed the penguin.

“And I missed the morning bus,” he added to the rhinoceros.

“Which is why,” he explained to the owl, “I have lost my favorite hat.”

Amos yawned. “By the way,” he said, sitting down a moment to rest, “has anyone seen the tortoise?”

The tortoise had stepped out for a bit of exercise.

Amos McGee had fallen asleep. “Amos is so tired,” worried the animals. “He works so hard every day.”

so while amos slept . . . The elephant borrowed a broom and began to tidy up. The penguin gave friendly reminders not to wake the zookeeper. The rhinoceros made sure all the littlest creatures were fed. The owl instructed visitors on the importance of animal conservation . . .

And the tortoise . . .

discovered a missing thing . . .

to bring to the lost and found.

“Hooray! My favorite hat!”

Amos looked around and saw that his chores were done. “Thank you,” he said to his friends. “There can be so many nice surprises in a day.” He pulled the watch from his pocket and smiled. “If we hurry, there is even time to catch the afternoon bus.”

And so they did.

And they didn’t get off until the very last stop.

Beep-beep!