Hey, Everyone!
Welcome to February and another fun-filled edition of Perfect Picture Book Friday!
Before I share today’s book, I want to take a quick moment to remind everyone what Perfect Picture Book Friday is all about.
The purpose of Perfect Picture Books is for us to share picture books we highly recommend, that we feel other readers will genuinely enjoy, and to provide resources for teachers and parents that will allow then to expand on the use of the books in their classrooms and homes. The resources are what set our reviews apart from the many other reviews out there on the internet.
Recently it has come to my attention that a number of people who are listing their book reviews on the Perfect Picture Book link have not included resources. If teachers and parents visit those sites and are disappointed, it detracts from the credibility of the whole list and potentially discourages people from using it, thereby potentially decreasing our readership.
The guidelines for Perfect Picture Books are clearly posted HERE (please scroll down to How To Participate In Perfect Picture Book Fridays), and I respectfully ask that anyone who contributes to our weekly list be sure to include resources so our list can continue to be one of value to teachers, parents, and librarians, as well as writers.
Many thanks!
Now then! A fun Groundhog Day/Valentine book for today!!! 🙂
Title: Groundhug Day
Written By: Anne Marie Pace
Illustrated By: Christopher Denise
Disney-Hyperion, December 2017, fiction
Suitable For Ages: 5-6
Themes/Topics: spring holidays (Groundhog Day, Valentines Day, St. Patrick’s Day, Easter), friendship, teamwork, acceptance
Opening: “Valentine’s Day was only two weeks away, and Moose was planning a grand party.”
text copyright Anne Marie Pace 2017, illustration copyright Christopher Denise 2017
Brief Synopsis: “Moose is having a Valentine’s Day party, and all his friends are so excited! Everyone except Groundhog, that is. If Groundhog sees his shadow outside, he’ll hide in his hole for six more weeks and miss the party! Determined to help their friend join them, Moose, Squirrel, Bunny, and Porcupine put their heads together and come up with a plan. But will it be enough to get Groundhog out to play?” (from the publisher description)
Links To Resources: How To Make Shadow Puppets With Your Hand (video); How To Make Heart-Shaped Valentine Animals
Why I Like This Book: Well, for starters, you all know what a Groundhog Day fan I am 🙂 But that aside, I love the warm friendship of this story, the way all the animals work together to find a solution, their acceptance of each other (Groundhog has reasons for missing the Valentine’s Day party, but later when he suggests a St. Patrick’s Day party everyone understands why Bunny can’t make it 🙂 ), the kindness with which they treat each other, and the humor (Moose’s solution to keeping Groundhog from seeing his shadow is to sit on the entrance so he can’t come out 🙂 ). And I love the art – warm and soft and appealing – just beautiful! I think most kids will like this one!
text copyright Anne Marie Pace 2017, illustration copyright Christopher Denise 2017
I hope you enjoy it as much as I do 🙂
For the complete list of books with resources, please visit Perfect Picture Books.
PPBF folks, please add your titles and post-specific links (and any other info you feel like filling out 🙂 ) to the form below so we can all come see what fabulous picture books you’ve chosen to share this week!
Have a wonderful weekend, everyone!!! 🙂
And Happy Groundhog Day from Phyllis! Anyone want to take bets on six more weeks of winter or early spring???!!!
Susanna Leonard Hill 
Ooh! I love your book choice. What beautiful illustrations and how fun that all the animals get together to have a Valentines Party. Thanks for sharing Susanna and I hope you are keeping warm. We have been watching the news and the freeze that is hitting Chicago and the eastern areas. We are in a heat wave at the moment. Strange huh!?
Happy Groundhog Day to you & Phyllis! This looks like such a fun book, perfect for a wintry read.
Sounds like a cute book! Thought of you for Groundhog’s Day, Susanna!
Oh, those illustrations make me feel all warm and squishy (and huggy) inside.
And please do give Phyllis my love. I wanna hug her, too!
And I’m thinkin’ and early spring…
Being a huggy person, this picture book looks like it’s going to win over my heart instantly. I’ve already got it reserved at my library.
What a cute book! I read your Groundhog Day book and introduced my class to Punxsutawney Phyllis on Wednesday. I am hoping for early spring. I didn’t experience the polar vortex but I am heading to the Midwest next month.
I need a Groundhug! Everyone probably does…. especially after this past week of frigidity. Give Phyllis a poke if she forgets to come out and check shadows tomorrow.
Love your selection, Susanna! Nothing better than a huggable groundhog. Wondering what’s going to happen tomorrow. Fingers crossed for spring!
And ack! ack! ack! I have been one of those resource offenders! My apologies. I will correct my wayward self from hence forward! Cheers!
I love the illustrations and the characters in this book. I too think kids are going to love this book. Can’t wait to see this one!
Here’s hoping for an early Spring (but if the forecasters are right, the PNW is headed for a feeze and snow by next week – must be feeling left out!)
I suggested this book during WRAD today!! It’s adorable.
Love the illustrations! What an adorable book! Glad you included Phyllis at the end! So cute.
This looks like a cute book for Valentine’s Day (or Groundhog’s Day!).
Happy Groundhog Day, S. Mom will take me out to check for my shadow, like she usually does. I’ve been meaning to tell her I’m not a groundhog.
Love and licks,
Cupcake
I just recently read this one. They have it on Hoopla with audio. They also have Groundhog’s Dilemma. What I’ll be reading with my son tomorrow!
This book looks adorable, and the illustrations are so warm and fuzzy. I love the idea of a Groundhug day. Happy Groundhog’s Day to you and Phyllis!