Groundhog's Dilemma

K-Gr 3—Every year on February 2, Groundhog emerges from his den and looks for his shadow, thus predicting whether winter will continue or if spring will come early. All of the forest animals have a preference about winter's end, and soon, despite his protests about predicting and not controlling the weather, they begin to pressure him about his announcement. Groundhog likes all the attention, so he promises everyone that he will predict their preferences. When the big day rolls around, he is taught a valuable lesson about honesty and friendship. The colorful pencil, watercolor, and gouache illustrations, which take up the full pages and are quite detailed, keep the story interesting and work to bring the forest animals to life. Whimsical details, such as the baseball stadium named "Wiggley Field," will keep adults entertained as well. Young readers will be able to predict the dilemma Groundhog is creating as he promises all of his friends different things, and they are likely to comment on his missteps. While the story may not be as profound as some tales of friendship, it fills a gap where Groundhog Day titles are lacking, and is enjoyable enough for adults and young readers alike to appreciate.