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Groundhog Gets a Say
An amusing picture book gives the groundhog a chance to relay fun-filled facts about how amazing groundhogs are and promote February as Groundhog Appreciation month.
40 pages, Hardcover
First published November 3, 2005
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205 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 92 reviews
February 6, 2018
Dang it, Phil! I never watched your prediction live before - what a lot of hooey. They could just let you sleep in and flipped a coin - it would have the same results. You were pretty darned cute, though.
In this story, the unnamed groundhog emerges from his hole on February 3rd only to wonder where everybody went. He bemoans the fact that he is only famous one day each year, then is forced to list all his merits after the other animals balk.
Turns out, groundhogs, whistle pigs, or woodchucks - yes, they're all the same critter - are really pretty amazing!
But they are lousy at forecasting the weather . . .
In this story, the unnamed groundhog emerges from his hole on February 3rd only to wonder where everybody went. He bemoans the fact that he is only famous one day each year, then is forced to list all his merits after the other animals balk.
Turns out, groundhogs, whistle pigs, or woodchucks - yes, they're all the same critter - are really pretty amazing!
But they are lousy at forecasting the weather . . .
April 2, 2008
My boys like this book, although, I don't enjoy reading it to them. Better for kids who already know how to read for themselves. It contains a lot of good information on groundhogs presented in a fun way.
December 20, 2024
Love the facts, but the crow sucked.
January 15, 2010
Well, I really wanted to like the text and illustrations better than I did. Both author and illustrator are groundhog fans and know them. The author loves all rodents and she has a special bond with a backyard groundhog. The illustrator (who also illustrated the Junie B. Jones books) has two groundhogs living in her backyard, and some crows too, all of them she used as models and as inspiration.
This book has a lot of facts about groundhogs, and I suppose they are told in an entertaining manner. The premise of the story is how groundhog is peeved that on February third he is forgotten; he thinks groundhogs deserve a groundhog appreciation month, and gives all sorts of reasons why that is.
This is a good book for kids who can read it, and peruse the detailed illustrations, for themselves.
I wasn’t wild about the illustrations but I liked some of them. I learned a fair amount about groundhogs. For children who want to learn about groundhogs I would steer them toward this book; it’s very informative.
This book has a lot of facts about groundhogs, and I suppose they are told in an entertaining manner. The premise of the story is how groundhog is peeved that on February third he is forgotten; he thinks groundhogs deserve a groundhog appreciation month, and gives all sorts of reasons why that is.
This is a good book for kids who can read it, and peruse the detailed illustrations, for themselves.
I wasn’t wild about the illustrations but I liked some of them. I learned a fair amount about groundhogs. For children who want to learn about groundhogs I would steer them toward this book; it’s very informative.
January 31, 2009
Groundhog is ready to give us the whole hog of information about himself in this witty, informative tale of his family. I love to read it to my classes of students on Groundhog Day but it is also informative. Who knew so many interesting facts about groundhogs? All the readers of this book will! Enjoyable to all!
March 1, 2011
This was such a cute book. The children also found it very funny. This book is about the groundhog and how people only know him for seeing or not seeing his shadow. As the story continues he tells and shows all of his friends all the cool things he can do that people didnt know groundhogs could do. This book also had a lot of fun facts about Groundhogs.
March 3, 2010
This is an adorable book that my daughter and I just loved - and it was so perfect for Groundhog's Day. This poor fellow just wants to be recognized for other things besides this one day of the year - very cute concept!
March 6, 2018
Summary: The story begins appropriately on GroundHog day, and when February 3rd rolls around the GroundHog protests that his holiday should be longer than a day, maybe even a month, because a species like his deserves better. His friends, the crow and the squirrel, scoff at the idea because groundhogs are the only other animal besides the turkey to even have a national holiday; However a fellow hog who acts as a journalist or writer takes notes on what the ground hog says. The rest of the book goes through the GroundHog sharing different facts about how unique and multi-faceted his species is in order to convince his friends the celebration of groundhogs should be more than a day. By the end of the book, the journalist ground hog writes the book "Groundhog Gets A Say" as there is now a groundhog appreciation due to his book, which is the book we as readers are reading.
Theme: The major theme of the story is education because once the other animals learn about all the different and interesting tidbits about the GroundHog, they eventually come around and admit the species is worthy of celebration.
Star Rating: Five stars.
Personal Response: I loved the book because it's educational, and it shows the power of great journalistic perseverance and reporting.
My Recommendation: I would definitely recommend the book to children in kindergarten all the way through fifth grade because it moves at a good pace, provides a lot of educational value, and goes in depth about each point or fact that it highlights.
Theme: The major theme of the story is education because once the other animals learn about all the different and interesting tidbits about the GroundHog, they eventually come around and admit the species is worthy of celebration.
Star Rating: Five stars.
Personal Response: I loved the book because it's educational, and it shows the power of great journalistic perseverance and reporting.
My Recommendation: I would definitely recommend the book to children in kindergarten all the way through fifth grade because it moves at a good pace, provides a lot of educational value, and goes in depth about each point or fact that it highlights.
February 3, 2021
Groundhog Gets a Say is a children's picture book written by Pamela Curtis Swallow and illustrated by Denise Brunkus. It is the day after Groundhog's Day 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. As today is Groundhog's Day (2 February), I thought it would be apropos to read this book.
Swallow's text is rather simplistic and surprisingly informative. Swallow has marshaled a host of impressive tidbits about the groundhog and even more importantly, she brings them to life with factual yet funny analogies. In her watercolor-and-pencil illustrations, Brunkus imbues Groundhog with as much aplomb.
The premise of the book is rather straightforward. Like many celebrities, Groundhog thinks he's gotten a raw deal from the media. With help from an adoring documentarian and fellow groundhog, the star of February 2 makes his case for deeming all of February "Groundhog Appreciation Month".
All in all, Groundhog Gets a Say is a wonderful informational children's book about the groundhog – an animal much more than their weather predicting abilities.
Swallow's text is rather simplistic and surprisingly informative. Swallow has marshaled a host of impressive tidbits about the groundhog and even more importantly, she brings them to life with factual yet funny analogies. In her watercolor-and-pencil illustrations, Brunkus imbues Groundhog with as much aplomb.
The premise of the book is rather straightforward. Like many celebrities, Groundhog thinks he's gotten a raw deal from the media. With help from an adoring documentarian and fellow groundhog, the star of February 2 makes his case for deeming all of February "Groundhog Appreciation Month".
All in all, Groundhog Gets a Say is a wonderful informational children's book about the groundhog – an animal much more than their weather predicting abilities.
March 4, 2021
2.5/5 stars
I read this book out loud to a group of 2nd graders. I would not recommend this as a large-group read-aloud. It's too long with all the characters talking on each page. The facts and information about groundhogs were interesting and given in an enjoyable way, but this book might be better suited to a small group (where students/children can respond and ask questions), one-on-one, or independent reading.
This book has a brief mention of Groundhog Day the holiday, but assumes that the reader already understands the holiday and its basic tenets. Perhaps I read it to a group that was too young. They did enjoy the humorous asides from the other animals Groundhog is talking to.
I read this book out loud to a group of 2nd graders. I would not recommend this as a large-group read-aloud. It's too long with all the characters talking on each page. The facts and information about groundhogs were interesting and given in an enjoyable way, but this book might be better suited to a small group (where students/children can respond and ask questions), one-on-one, or independent reading.
This book has a brief mention of Groundhog Day the holiday, but assumes that the reader already understands the holiday and its basic tenets. Perhaps I read it to a group that was too young. They did enjoy the humorous asides from the other animals Groundhog is talking to.
November 26, 2017
This book is an unusual combination of humorous fantasy characters and actual facts. The story is set the day after Groundhog Day, and groundhog feels that he is used for weather prediction and news once a year, and ignored the rest of the time. He tells the animals around him real science facts about groundhogs and their lives. It would be a nice supplement to Groundhog Day learning for elementary school students. I will probably use it along with my other books on burrowing animals. The illustrations are lovely, too.
February 4, 2023
Oh my goodness this is surprisingly wonderful. I learned so much that I didn't know, even though we had 'woodchucks' at my grandma's farm. And the friends' commentaries are a hoot. The illustrations are simple, but I looked closely and saw details of both content and technique that I don't often in early readers. I will definitely look for more by the author, and maybe by illustrator, too.
I read the copy that is archived on openlibrary.org.
I read the copy that is archived on openlibrary.org.
March 14, 2021
I really enjoyed this book, as it wasn’t only very informational on groundhogs but also humorous. I think it’s great for ages 5-8 as all the dialog can get quite confusing for younger readers. I think children would really enjoy this book as they read all about groundhogs silly, and sometimes outrageous, opinions.
February 6, 2018
This picture book is a mix of humor and facts about groundhogs. My children laughed at all the jokes, and it started them on an adventure of discovering more about groundhogs - especially the number of times the yearly tradition of Groundhog Day is correct.
February 1, 2022
A little chaotic, with fun facts.
The dialog alone doesn't seem to warrant the friends negative comments, so I'd recommend a pompous voice for the main groundhog and maybe skipping a couple of comments.
The dialog alone doesn't seem to warrant the friends negative comments, so I'd recommend a pompous voice for the main groundhog and maybe skipping a couple of comments.
January 17, 2017
I only read the parts that the groundhog said (facts about groundhogs). the crow and squirrel spend the book giving snide/insulting commentary, which I wasn't too fond of.
July 16, 2017
We liked how full of facts and interesting information this book was while presenting it all so entertainingly. The premise of "The" Groundhog wanting more air time is great.
February 14, 2018
I purchased this book for my grandchildren. When I brought it home I read it out loud and my husband and I both enjoyed the story as well. It was cute but also very educational.
September 7, 2018
This describes the groundhog's life in an entertaining Groundhog Day fashion.
November 18, 2018
Fun science facts about ground hogs
February 4, 2021
A silly groundhog pushing for a groundhog month.
March 23, 2022
A groundhog is upset because he's not getting enough recognition for Ground Hog's Day. I recommend it.
July 24, 2022
A fun way to engage students in groundhog facts, ideal for a school read-aloud.
October 24, 2022
Fun holiday book, teaches you about groundhogs. Funny comments from the other animals
February 2, 2023
I'm reading this right now to my students during Groundhog Day and today I learned things about Groundhog's I didn't even know about!
February 7, 2024
An informational book appropriate for pre-k or early elementary.
August 17, 2024
My 5yo enjoyed this. You learn a lot about groundhogs in this. But the secondary characters help make the information fun.
February 11, 2025
Good for around Groundhog Day.
February 18, 2017
This book is a fun sciency way of learning about groundhogs and what they are how they live. facts about them. Fun facts about them and about how their holiday started and why etc. as a storybook text you can read then off to the side has comic book type text you can read or not. Nice fun story
March 13, 2018
Could be used when teaching persuasive writing. Groundhog teaches that there is so much more to a groundhog than Groundhog's Day.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 92 reviews