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48 pp.
| Disney-Hyperion
| December, 2017
|
TradeISBN 978-1-4847-5356-9$17.99
(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.
(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.
(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.
(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.
(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.
(4)
K-3
Readers' Theater: How to Put On a Production series.
Illustrated by
Nina Mata.
Geared toward third grade and up, this series offers instructions for mounting readers' theater or stage productions of six holiday-themed scripts with stage directions. In each didactic play, students dramatize collaboration and model successful group work. Introductory matter includes how to handle props, rehearsals, crew responsibilities, and more. Teacher guides with more information and tips are available for download on the publisher's website. Review covers these Readers' Theater: How to Put on a Production titles: Fettuccine and Four-Leaf Clovers, Ghosts and Gummy Worms, Groundhogs and Guinea Pigs, Medals and Memorials, Pickles and Parks, and Turkey and Takeout.
32 pp.
| Sterling
| January, 2011
|
TradeISBN 978-1-4027-4336-8$14.95
(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.
32 pp.
| Putnam
| December, 2009
|
TradeISBN 978-0-399-24659-3$16.99
(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.
32 pp.
| Holt
| August, 2008
|
TradeISBN 978-0-8050-8280-7$16.95
(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.
32 pp.
| Holiday
| February, 2007
|
TradeISBN 978-0-8234-2003-2$16.95
(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.
32 pp.
| Whitman
| November, 2006
|
TradeISBN 0-8075-7643-3$15.95
(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).
32 pp.
| Holiday
| February, 2004
|
TradeISBN 0-8234-1645-3$$16.95
(3)
K-3
Illustrated by
Paul Meisel.
Although he's set his alarm clock for February 2, Groundhog is restless and keeps getting up for a wander--meeting a Halloween witch, a turkey, and Santa Claus, each of whom tucks him back into bed with a seasonally appropriate story. It's a cute idea, and the story's structure is nicely rhythmic. Painterly paneled- and full-page illustrations are both festive and cozy.
40 pp.
| Whitman
| October, 2004
|
TradeISBN 0-8075-3066-2$15.95
(4)
K-3
Illustrated by
Paige Billin-Frye.
Groundhogs have reached near star status, and this book explains why. The origins of the critter's supposed forecasting abilities, the reason for seasons, celebrations around the country, corny riddles, and facts about hibernation fill the text-heavy pages with more than most people want to know. Whimsical illustrations help to pace the information.
32 pp.
| Viking
| December, 2000
|
TradeISBN 0-670-89328-5$$15.99
(4)
PS
This posthumous offering tells the story of Gregory Groundhog and how he mistakenly becomes separated from his shadow the day before Groundhog's Day. Luckily, the two are reunited and band together to cheer the anxious farmers looking for them the next morning. This gentle tale, with its soft, sketchy artwork, is weak but has an old-fashioned appeal.