Review by Booklist Review
In this sequel to Punxsutawney Phyllis (2006), Phyllis the groundhog, Weather Prophet Extraordinaire, sniffs the morning air on the first day of April and senses a snowstorm. She tells her family, but they dismiss her blizzard warning as an April Fools' joke. In the end, though, Phyllis has the last laugh. An appended note discusses prank traditions occurring around the vernal equinox in various countries. Dramatic acrylic paintings illustrate the action. Fun for reading aloud at home or in the classroom, this picture book offers a refreshing take on April Fools' Day.--Phelan, Carolyn Copyright 2010 Booklist
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by School Library Journal Review
K-Gr 2-Punxsutawney Phyllis (Holiday House, 2005) was about Groundhog Day. This story has the young creature predicting a blizzard on the first day of April. All of the other groundhogs think that she is playing an April Fool's Day joke on them and continue with their plans for the Spring Treasure Hunt. While totally engaged in finding and following clues, they don't notice that the temperature is dropping. Before they know it, they are caught in a blizzard, and Phyllis must get the little groundhogs back to safety. She does so by creating and following a sap line all the way home. The sap line concept may be confusing to some children and that aspect of the story will need to be explained to make the resolution understandable. The illustrations are done in acrylics and are a bit muted and in earth tones, reflecting the impending doom of the blizzard. Yet they are still playful, with each groundhog having its own special feature that sets it apart from the rest: a sweater, glasses, a hat, etc. Classrooms will find good use for this book as an introduction to the season and its unpredictable weather. However, the title is a bit misleading as the story focuses more on the treasure hunt, the blizzard, and the rescue than on April foolery. Additional.-Lora Van Marel, Orland Park Public Library, IL (c) Copyright 2011. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Horn Book Review
Thinking Punxsutawney Phyllis's April first blizzard warnings are a prank, the town goes ahead with its spring treasure hunt; throughout the story are clues readers can follow. When the groundhog kits are caught in a snowstorm, it's clever Phyllis who leads them back to the burrow. The accompanying brown-hued acrylic illustrations are rich in detail and texture. (c) Copyright 2011. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Kirkus Book Review
It's evident some things run in the family for the legendary Punxsutawney Phil's niece Phyllis. The little groundhog only needs one sniff of the morning air to realize something's amiss the day of the Spring Treasure Hunt. Though it is the first of April, Phyllis earnestly warns everyone of the impending blizzard. Her cries fall on deaf ears as the suspicious rodents turn pranksters. Phil Junior sticks his paws in ice to replicate winter's grueling chill, and Pete throws confetti in the air to resemble snowflakes. Poor Phyllis initially believes their pranks. Without heeding the young forecaster's warnings, the groundhogs begin the hunt, with dramatic riddles showcasing each clue. When the celebration dissolves into a wintry mess, Phyllis both solves the mystery and guides her group home through the blustery wind. References to the "treasure" repeatedly shine in the home's interior. Warm acrylics, saturated in rich golden tones and creamy tans, offer a cozy look into this furry family's den. Layered strokes enhance the textured fur of each stocky animal. Funny details abound: A glimpse of The Woodchuck Weekly newspaper reads: "Shadows! Why do they scare us?" An author's note describes international April Fool traditions, though there's no source notes provided. No foolinghere's a lighthearted romp that highlights an often overlooked holiday. (Picture book. 5-8)]] Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
