It’s the Perfect Picture Book Friday before Groundhog Day (which, as you know, we are very partial to around here 🙂 ) so Phyllis insisted I thought, for fun, that we feature her book I’d share a roundup of Groundhog Day titles – three that have already been reviewed for PPBF and one new one! 🙂
Some of my (and Phyllis’s 🙂 ) favorite Groundhog Day titles:
Punxsutawney Phyllis by Susanna Leonard Hill, illustrated by Jeffrey Ebbeler, Holiday House 2005 (yes, ok, we are biased 🙂 ) – reviewed for Perfect Picture Books by Beth Stilborn
Substitute Groundhog by Pat Miller, illustrated by Kathi Ember, Albert Whitman & Co – reviewed for Perfect Picture Books by Jennifer Rumberger
Groundhug Day by Anne Marie Pace, illustrated by Christopher Denise, Disney-Hyperion, December 2017 – reviewed for Perfect Picture Books HERE
And one that hasn’t been on PPBF yet (as far as I know) that is an older title but was well-loved in my house! 🙂
Gretchen Groundhog It’s Your Day
Title: Gretchen Groundhog, It’s Your Day!
Written By: Abby Levine
Illustrated By: Nancy Cote
Albert Whitman & Co, November 1998, fiction
Suitable For Ages: 5 and up
Themes/Topics: holidays (Groundhog Day), emotions (feeling shy), overcoming a fear
Opening: “It was a dark and snowy night. Gretchen Groundhog sat in her burrow, worrying. In a few days it would be February 2, when the world would be watching the little town of Piccadilly.
On that day, for the first time, Gretchen would step from her burrow to stand before TV cameras, newspaper reporters, tourists, all the townsfolk, and a brass band. Everyone would be waiting as Gretchen looked for her shadow.”
Brief Synopsis: Gretchen must carry on the family tradition of stepping out on the morning of February 2 to search for her shadow, but she is too shy to “Go Out” and face the crowd of people. After much worrying, she musters up courage when she learns that throughout history groundhogs have been afraid to “Go Out” the first time.
Links To Resources: Groundhog Day Crafts and Activities; make your own Groundhog Day prediction: 6 more weeks of winter or early spring???!!! 🙂
Why I Like This Book: Any youngster who has ever felt apprehensive at the idea of being in the spotlight will relate to shy Gretchen. Lots of children feel shy at the idea of meeting other kids for the first time, or of entering a new classroom, or of standing at the front of the class for a spelling bee or to give a report, so they will easily understand how Gretchen feels at the idea of having to face crowds of people, TV cameras and newspaper reporters. Gretchen’s courage is bolstered when the town historian’s daughter arrives with a box of notes written by Gretchen’s ancestors (Goody Groundhog, who sailed on the Mayflower; George Groundhog, who fought at Valley Forge; and Gloria Groundhog, movie star 🙂 ), all confessing their fear of “Going Out.” Gretchen writes a few words of her own for the history box and then finds she can face her fear. A fun story accompanied by warm, appealing art that lots of kids will enjoy for Groundhog Day!
I hope you enjoy all of these titles as much as Phyllis and 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!!! 🙂
Happy Groundhog Day!!! (and here’s hoping we get an early spring 🙂 )
Susanne, I have not ssen this one. I need to find it. I’ve got another one for your collection – GROUNDHOG’S DILEMMA by Kristen Remenar, illo. Matt Faulkner (Charlesbridge 2015).
Oh this so brings back memories of when Phyllis came to visit me on her world trip. Did you know Vivian slept in the same bed that Phyllis slept in when she stayed with me…. 😉
Love this collection of groundhog books! Such a great resource!
Lots of love to Phyllis on her special day!
I am SO happythat Phyllis has friends for Ground Hog Day! Lovely share of other new books today!
Happy Groundhog Day, dear Phyllis & Susanna. Fingers & paws crossed for an early spring!
My son and I can both relate to Gretchen. We would both prefer to run away from the spotlight, LOL. Thanks for this furry round-up! Wondering what weather is in store us…..
WOW…love this collection of groundhog books, Susanna! And the activity/resource list is awesome!
What a wonderful selection of groundhog books. Thanks, Susanna!
Yay! more books for Groundhog Day! Soon Phyllis (and you) will have an entire library of them, right?
Never too many groundhog books….
Thank you, Susanna for putting together this list! And Happy Groundhog’s Day to Phyllis!! I have this expanded list of Groundhog Day PBs in my files and thought to share:
https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/96403.Groundhog_Day
Cheers, PALPBKIDS