(4) 1-3 Pug Pals series. While their human is away, pugs Sunny and Rosy "vacation" at their human grandparents' house where they enjoy special snacks and the spacious yard. When Grandma accuses the (innocent) two of ruining her garden, an investigation reveals a friendly but clueless groundhog is the culprit. Abundant black-and-white illustrations adorn every spread of this cozy (if slight) mystery.

Reviewer: Pam Yosca

(2) 4-6 An extended conversation between a science-savvy groundhog and a new-to-Earth's-history worm features a comprehensive overview of the geological past of our planet. The graphic format, light tone, and amusing repartee keep up the pace over the course of an impressive number of geology topics. Concrete examples and illustrations that combine science and humor make for an effective presentation of content. An appendix briefly addresses global warming. Timelines. Bib.

Reviewer: Danielle J. Ford | Horn Book Magazine Issue: January, 2018

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Christopher Denise. The sweet luminosity of Denise's digital illustrations temper the sappiness of Pace's tale of Moose, Squirrel, Bunny, and Porcupine's plan to include Groundhog in their Valentine's Day celebration. But on February 2, even after they convince Groundhog that shadows aren't scary, he still opts to retreat for six more weeks: "it is cold up here." A slight story of possible use for Groundhog Day storytimes.

Reviewer: Miriam Lang Budin

(3) K-3 As a child, Phil the groundhog was always in sync with his shadow. But when Phil grows up, Shadow's annoying antics drive the two apart. When Shadow steals away to exotic lands, Phil realizes how dull his life is now and searches far and wide for his companion. The humorous Photoshop art includes clever details in a mix of full pages, spreads, and paneled sections.

Reviewer: Nancy Sheridan

(3) K-3 This book is reissued in a format well suited to beginning readers. Misled by an artificial flower, Groundhog tells the forest animals that "Spring is here!" Grumpy Pig proves Groundhog wrong and is blamed for more snow. Johnson's simple compositions and entertaining text are pleasingly child-centered.

Reviewer: Maeve Visser Knoth

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Brett Helquist. Only ever asked about the seasons, an irritated groundhog leaves for vacation in a huff. Finding that no one else can do Groundhog's job, the mayor delivers a passionate plea on network TV. Convinced to return home, Groundhog is gratified by all the non-weather-related appreciation he's shown. Expressive, humorous illustrations help fill out the one-note joke.

Reviewer: Rebecca Reed Whidden

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Matt Faulkner. Bear and Hare want six more weeks of winter. Squirrel and Sparrow want an early spring. All four bribe Groundhog to rule in their favor. In the end, Groundhog cannot ignore his shadow, even if it means displeasing some of his friends. Rich paintings of anthropomorphized forest creatures are engaging, though the story's messages about friendship and honesty aren't very clear.

Reviewer: Rebecca Reed Whidden

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Carmen Segovia. When winter comes, Brownie Groundhog goes into hibernation, leaving her fox friend at a loss ("What about me?"). On a whim, the fox and his new friend Bunny throw a festive winter party with supplies raided from Brownie's house; luckily, she doesn't mind waking up (briefly) for the celebration. The droll story's distinctive characters are brought to life in cozy acrylics.

Reviewer: Martha Sibert

(3) K-3 Hole Truth: Underground Animal Life series. Simple, well-placed text combined with labeled diagrams, thoughtful discussion questions, and attention-grabbing photographs will hook beginning researchers into this series about animal burrows and dens. A "Science Lab" activity at the end of each book offers more opportunities for reader interaction. Reading list. Glos., ind. Review covers these Hole Truth: Underground Animals Life titles: Chipmunk's Hole, Fox's Den, Groundhog's Burrow, and Prairie Dog's Hideaway.

Reviewer: Kari Allen

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Carmen Segovia. On February second, Brownie the groundhog goes looking for signs of spring. Instead she finds a hungry fox. Brownie manages to outwit the inexperienced fox; what's more, she discovers he's not bad company. Brightened by sky-blue and fox-red, the illustrations for this humorous tale set the wintry scene well and help create distinctive personalities for the two animals.

Reviewer: Martha Sibert

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Jeffrey Ebbeler. Thinking Punxsutawney Phyllis's April first blizzard warnings are a prank, the town goes ahead with its spring treasure hunt; throughout the story are clues readers can follow. When the groundhog kits are caught in a snowstorm, it's clever Phyllis who leads them back to the burrow. The accompanying brown-hued acrylic illustrations are rich in detail and texture.

Reviewer: Rebecca Reed Whidden

(3) K-3 Mouse gets his hoped-for reaction after stealthily tickling Gus the groundhog with a feather: "Gotta scratch my BAA-AA-ACK!" Gus grabs a stick, which turns out to be a snake. The scenario repeats twice more with Gus mistaking a porcupine for a bush and an alligator for a log. Finally, Gus's friends scratch his itch. Olson's illustrations effectively expand the humorous text.

Reviewer: Patricia Riley

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Kristin Sorra. From the humorous premise that a groundhog TV anchor needs support from field reporters to predict weather accurately, this combination of groundhog and weather lore emerges. The lighthearted approach features cartoon animals, documents from Groundhog Weather School, puns ("geHOGraphy"), a rogue skunk, speech balloons, a cutaway of a groundhog burrow--and even some bona fide history and meteorology.

Reviewer: Frieda F. Bostian

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Lorinda Bryan Cauley. Twins Greta and Gregory draw straws for Grampie Groundhog's "family forecasting job." When Gregory, the winner, has nervous nightmares and misplaces his glasses while sleepwalking, Greta must help him predict spring after all. The conclusion lauds cooperation, but it's not hard to see that the conflict could have been avoided altogether. Watercolor and colored-pencil illustrations are warm but bland.

Reviewer: Jane Kohuth

(3) K-3 Gibbons loosely links contemporary observations of Punxsutawney Phil's behavior with ancient spring rites, provides some information about groundhog habits, and includes other famous groundhogs. White borders set off her characteristic colorful illustrations and a final page digs up seven additional groundhog facts, each with its own small illustration.

Reviewer: Gail Hedges

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Kathi Ember. When Groundhog gets the flu the day before Groundhog's Day, he has to find a substitute. The book's illustrations are bright and cheery, and children are likely to enjoy the story in spite of some minor logical inconsistencies (for instance, the substitute audition process seems much more arduous than popping out of a hole to forecast the weather).

Reviewer: Jeannine M. Chapman

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Thomas F. Yezerski. Three stories chronicle the friendship between the worry-prone Rose (a vole) and the more easygoing Riley (a groundhog). Cutler's quiet text captures the affection between the two, while Yezerski's watercolors emphasize their differing personalities and provide a cozy setting. Frog and Toad they ain't, but though there's not much humor here, there's lots of security and warmth.

Reviewer: Martha V. Parravano

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Paul Meisel. Although he's set his alarm clock for February 2, Groundhog is restless and keeps getting up for a wander--meeting a Halloween witch, a turkey, and Santa Claus, each of whom tucks him back into bed with a seasonally appropriate story. It's a cute idea, and the story's structure is nicely rhythmic. Painterly paneled- and full-page illustrations are both festive and cozy.

Reviewer: Roger Sutton

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Paige Billin-Frye. Groundhogs have reached near star status, and this book explains why. The origins of the critter's supposed forecasting abilities, the reason for seasons, celebrations around the country, corny riddles, and facts about hibernation fill the text-heavy pages with more than most people want to know. Whimsical illustrations help to pace the information.

Reviewer: Hilary Breed Van Dusen

(3) K-3 Little Groundhog happily munches on tasty vegetables, but the animal-gardeners scold him for eating their food and teach him to plant and tend his own crop. Cherry's illustrations of both the small backyard critters and the garden at various stages are sharply detailed and appealing, and may help attune children's eyes to the natural world.

Reviewer: Susan Dove Lempke