  | Groundhog's day off Author: Pearlman, Robb | |
| Price: $21.88 | ||
Summary:
Tired of being asked only about the weather, a sensitive groundhog decides to take a vacation right before the big day in February.
| Illustrator: | Helquist, Brett |
| Accelerated Reader Information: Interest Level: LG Reading Level: 3.10 Points: .5 Quiz: 179052 |
Reviews:
Kirkus Reviews (10/01/15)
School Library Journal (11/01/15)
The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books (00/02/16)
Full Text Reviews:
School Library Journal - 11/01/2015 K-Gr 2—It's Groundhog's custom to wake up extra early on his special day, groomed and ready to meet his public. But not this year. He's fed up. Each year everyone asks him the same questions: "Is spring around the corner?" "Are there going to be six more weeks of winter?" No one ever asks, "Who does your fur?" or "seen any good movies lately?" Groundhog definitely has more to offer. This year he will show them. He is going on strike—vacation, actually—and heads out for the local spa. The townsfolk don't know what to do, so the mayor announces auditions for a new groundhog. Unfortunately, Elephant is too big. Ostrich gets the concept backward and goes into the hole instead of popping out. Bat, Owl, Mole, and Possum just want to follow their natural body rhythms and sleep. The Mayor decides that only Groundhog can do the job and makes a media appeal. When Groundhog sees the news, he is thrilled that people really do see him "as more than just a weather vane." He takes the first taxi home and is happily greeted with the questions he's been waiting to hear: "Where did you go on vacation? Which team are you rooting for in the playoffs?" The famous rodent goes off to bed early, however, because tomorrow is Groundhog Day. He's now a star on the celebrity circuit with all the attention he'd like. He's very happy, until he sees another media report: the Easter Bunny has quit. The last panel shows Easter Bunny and Groundhog relaxing and tanning on the beach. The naturalistic drawings are rendered in acrylic and oil paint on watercolor paper. Groundhog has a cute, toothy grin, and the large pictures make the book easy to use in group settings. The story itself is a bit predictable, but the artwork is thoroughly engaging. VERDICT An additional purchase for libraries looking to increase picture book holdings about special holidays.—Roxanne Burg, Orange County Public Library, CA - Copyright 2015 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission.
