GROUNDHOG GETS A SAY

It’s Feb. 3rd and no one is paying any attention to Groundhog when just yesterday everyone wanted his weather report. Tired of this happening every year, Groundhog sets out to prove his worth. He launches into a lecture, hitting the high points of Groundhog habits, anatomy and lore. Initially, Squirrel and Crow are skeptical, but after the explanation of hibernation, both admit that groundhogs aka whistle pigs aka woodchucks are pretty cool. In the end, it seems, Groundhog gets his wish with the publication of his (this) book. Swallow makes learning about these members of the marmot family a hoot with her easy-to-read text and cheeky comments from Crow and Squirrel. In her watercolor-and-pencil illustrations, Brunkus imbues Groundhog with as much aplomb as she regularly does Junie B. Jones. Nonfiction of this quality that can be read as a picture book is rare. A wonderful update to your tired old Groundhog Day section, this begs to be performed as reader’s theater. (Picture book. 5-10)