Groundhog Weather School

By: Joan Holub
Publisher: Putnam Juvenile
Publivation Date: December 2009
ISBN: 978-0399246593
Reviewed by: Deb Fowler
Review Date: January 2009

The little white rabbit was all curled up in his bed. He had his nightcap on, his yellow striped jammies and even had his slippers on. It was February 2nd and he turned on his television to watch the "Groundhog Day Forecast." The reporter wished everyone a happy holiday and said, "I do not see my shadow. That means spring is here." YES! Bunny hopped out of bed, threw on his Hawaiian shirt, shorts and flip flops and was ready for some nice weather. Just for good measure he put his sunglasses on so the glare wouldn't bother his eyes. When he stuck his head out of his burrow . . . WHOA! Snowflakes were whirling around. So much for spring and that reporter’s forecast.

Rabbit, pig and monkey wrote letters of disappointment to the groundhog weather forecaster at HOG TV. Rabbit wanted to know if he "Could get more groundhogs to help" the following year. Groundhog agreed. Something had to be done and done fast. He sent out invitations to Groundhog Weather School. If the applicant was a mammal, furry, lived in a burrow, was a rodent, a herbivore and hibernated, they were in! Everyone was checking off the list. "Check no no no no no." Mule wasn't going. "Check check check check rats! rats!" No rats in that school, but wait, there was one fellow who checked all the boxes. It was a little groundhog and he was headed to school to learn about the weather!

This is a unique and wonderful way for young children to learn about the fascinating world of weather forecasting. My favorite little "scene" was when the little groundhogs were seated at their desks waiting to learn when they discover Skunk was in their midst. He claimed he was a "foreign exchange student." In this book youngsters can painlessly learn a bit about the groundhog family, famous "Hognosticators" like Punxsutawney Phil, animal weather predictors, famous weather men, how groundhogs build a burrow, and many more interesting factual materials. The artwork is very appealing and meshes perfectly with the text. If you are anxious for spring to arrive and have a little time on your hands, now is the time to really learn what Groundhog Day is all about!

Quill says: This is a unique and wonderful way for young children to learn about the fascinating world of weather.