Groundhog gets it wrong

Jess Townes

Book - 2023

Groundhog is shocked and a bit ashamed when he discovers that he does not have innate weather-predicting gifts, especially when his mis-forecast ruins the spring carnival.

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jE/Townes
1 / 2 copies available
Location Call Number   Status
Children's Room jE/Townes Due Dec 8, 2024
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Subjects
Genres
Children's stories Pictorial works
Fiction
Picture books
Published
New York : Dial Books for Young Readers 2023.
Language
English
Main Author
Jess Townes (author)
Other Authors
Nicole Miles (illustrator)
Physical Description
36 unnumbered pages : chiefly color illustrations ; 28 cm
Audience
Ages 3-5.
Grades K-1.
ISBN
9780593326152
Contents unavailable.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review

It's February 2, and the furry scion of the Groundhog family is slated to make his inaugural weather proclamation: "The entire town was counting on him to determine if winter was coming to an end." Confident that "groundhogs know weather," he confirms his lack of a shadow and proclaims, "Celebrate spring--for it starts today!" When the winter-weary town wakes up to a fresh snowfall, the shocked rodent faces furious residents; desperately trying to cover his tracks, he even attempts to melt the snow with a hair dryer. After seeking other gigs, Groundhog retreats to his home and makes a startling discovery: an entire meteorological library left behind by his ancestors, whose predictions were grounded in scientific observation. After reading extensively and earning a degree from an online meteorology school, he offers an evidence-based prediction--and this time, no one is angry at winter's persistence. This pro-science fable from Townes (Spellbound) and Miles (The Anti-racist Kid) feels a little padded in spots, but its cheery, animation-style digital cartooning makes an unmistakable point: there are no shortcuts to understanding one's calling, one's strengths, or the natural world. Ages 3--5. Author's agent: Stephanie Fretwell-Hill, Red Fox Literary. Illustrator's agent: Chad W. Beckerman, CAT Agency. (Jan.)

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Review by Kirkus Book Review

It's not easy being a prognosticator--just ask Groundhog. Despite being a proud descendent of a long line of meritorious meteorologists, Groundhog still gets his first forecast WRONG! He doesn't see his shadow, so he tells everyone that winter is over--but when plans for warm weather activities fall through due to snow, the flip-flops--wearing townsfolk show up outside his burrow demanding answers. Groundhog attempts to get rid of the snow, but when that doesn't work, he resigns his position and sets off searching for his true calling. Sheep herder? Nope. Making honey? No. Dam builder? Negative. Despondent, he trudges home. Wait--what are all those charts? And those books. He'd never paid attention to those before. In no time at all, Groundhog is taking online meteorology classes. This time, when Feb. 2 rolls around, Groundhog is prepared. Townes' whimsical, behind-the-scenes look at the hairier side of weather foreshadowing encapsulates the adage "If at first you don't succeed, try, try again." The use of alliteration to describe the overwhelming mounds of snow is a nice touch--"too excessive to excavate," "too deep to defrost," "too slick to shovel." Depicting diverse townspeople, Miles' frosty illustrations comically highlight the lengths that Groundhog is prepared to go to in order to ensure spring makes its calculated debut. Cameos throughout from a hairless pink cat add to the shivery fun. (This book was reviewed digitally.) A motivational nudge to develop talent--innate or acquired. (note about Groundhog Day) (Picture book. 4-7) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.

Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.