Let’s Read Three: Children’s Picture Books For Sick Days

There’s really nothing quite like a good book when you are under the weather. We’re battling the sniffles over here and a pile of books makes the perfect cuddle companions as we sniff our way through the day. It’s natural inspiration for combo number two in my Let’s Read Three series: three picture books to read aloud and lighten up those crummy sick days.

It’s a nice feeling to commiserate with someone else under the weather and these three offer some tenderness, a bit of laughter and absurdity, and some great friends to lean on.

1. A Sick Day for Amos McGee written by Philip C. Stead, illustrated by Erin E. Stead, 2010

Not only is the art simply stunning in this 2011 Caldecott winner, but the story is simple and sweet. Tender zookeeper, Amos McGee, awakes one morning with a cold and cannot get to the zoo. His animal friends miss him dearly and decide to visit and do all the lovely little things for him that he daily does for them. Charming and endearing from a delightful, and talented, husband and wife duo.

2. Mother Mother I Feel Sick Send For the Doctor Quick Quick Quick by Remy Charlip & Burton Supree, with pictures by Remy Charlip, 1966

A strange but humorous book, a little boy is dangerously round and horridly sick so his mother calls for the doctor. Upon examination the doctor finds an assortment of very odd items that the boy had swallowed which contributed to his illness. A very fast-paced and smile-inducing book, the illustrations are fascinating in flat color, mimicking (and encouraging) shadow play.

3. Rooster Can’t Cock-a-Doodle-Doo by Karen Rostoker-Gruber, pictures by Paul Ratz de Tagyos, 2004

I’ve written the tale of this poor rooster before and I just can’t get enough of him. It is the story of a rooster who awakens with a sore throat and cannot alert the farmer to start the day. Through a myriad of fantastic events, the barnyard animals help him out and Rooster gets a much needed rest.

I sincerely hope that the next time you find yourself cuddling a box of tissues, you also find a good pile of picture books to pass the time with too.