Gregory's Shadow

by Don Freeman

At the time of his death in 1978 Don Freeman had completed the art and text for this sweet tale of Gregory Groundhog who becomes separated from his Shadow on the eve of Groundhog Day. Told with the same warmth that embodies Don Freeman's other beloved creations this story of friendship and belonging will captivate readers and take its place alongside such endearing classics as Corduroy and Rainbow of My Own.

Genres: Picture Books, Animals, Childrens, Holiday, Fiction, Storytime, Juvenile

Paperback

First published December 28, 2000

About the author

Don Freeman was a painter, printmaker, cartoonist, children's book author, and illustrator. He was born in San Diego, California, attended high school in Missouri, and later moved to New York City where he studied etching with John Sloan.
Frequent subjects included Broadway theatre, politics, and the circus. He was also a jazz musician, and the brother of circus entrepreneur Randy Freeman.

Reviews

[Hilary · Rating 3 out of 5]

A groundhog loses his shadow on groundhog day so goes out to search for it. It's not a complicated plot but this is a nice enough story with some lovely wintery scenes.

Read on open library.

[Kathryn · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 STARS There are so few picture books out there on Groundhog Day and, even though this isn't really a remarkable story otherwise, I would recommend this if you're looking for a Groundhog Day picture book. It's nowhere near the genius of Freeman's Corduroy, but this book was also published posthumously so perhaps he hadn't the time to perfect it. In any case, it's a fun little story with a bit of adventure and a nice theme of friendship.

[Melki · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gregory emerges from his burrow one day, and is frightened by a mysterious shadow. In his haste to get away, he becomes separated from his own shadow. This is a cute story revolving around the Groundhog Day celebration. Freeman's artwork is simple, yet evocative. I loved his depictions of the dapper Gregory:



And, of the frosty winter landscape:

[Derrick · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars

[Nancy Kotkin · Rating 2 out of 5]

Gregory Groundhog and his shadow get separated, which is impossible of course, but it happens in this story. Then Gregory realizes that Shadow is missing and goes to look for him. But when Gregory finds Shadow, he doesn't even recognize his best friend. There's another impossible feat at the end of the book. The illustrations could really use some cuteness to brighten up this picture book.

[Luann · Rating 3 out of 5]

Gregory is a shy groundhog, but having a friend like Shadow who goes with him everywhere gives him confidence. On the day before Groundhog Day, Gregory gets scared by a mysterious shadow waving its arms. In his rush to get back home, Gregory accidently leaves Shadow behind. Shadow has to fend for himself out in the cold and snowy day while waiting for Gregory to come find him.

I thought the idea of a groundhog's shadow that gets left behind was a little cheesy - even though it did work for Peter Pan. But very few of the students to whom I read this book seemed to have any problem with it. Even most of the sixth graders who chose this book as a read-aloud listened, participated, and appeared to enjoy it. I really thought this was better suited for younger grades, but I let them pick between a couple of groundhog books and some of my sixth grade classes chose this. Their favorite line was when Gregory suggests he and Shadow go find something to eat and Shadow says, "Sure. I'm right behind you."

(I used this as part of a library lesson on alliteration. We wrote groundhog tongue twisters.)

[Eva-Marie Nevarez · Rating 3 out of 5]

We just happened to read this the day after Groundhog Day and since Julia's a little older now (5) I explained what that day is. I don't think either of us realized that this fit with the time of year when we grabbed it to read. We actually grabbed it because we're trying to read all of the books she owns before getting more out from the library. (Not working just yet but I still have hope.)
This is a cute little story about Gregory the Groundhog who is so shy that he's friends with Shadow, his uh, shadow.
After leaving home Gregory sees a scarecrows shadow and gets so scared he runs home without waiting for his shadow. (The poor picture of the shadow reaching out for his buddy is just so darn sad.) So Shadow goes meandering along, talking to a few other shadows he meets along the way. Around this same time Gregory realizes he's lost his shadow and is looking everywhere for him.
How Gregory and his shadow find each other and what they do to keep the farmers happy on their special day is really cute. We both liked the story, the illustrations could have been done better IMO.
I wouldn't have guessed this was Freeman's work without seeing his name beforehand.

[Bree · Rating 2 out of 5]

Notes:
hate preschool books that add ghosts
illustrations are really cute but the ghost bit is disappointing

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

What the heck. All of these groundhog books are garbage.

[Nichole · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm not sure about this book. It's a Groundhog's Day book... and it's ok. But I've never felt the need for a Groundhog's Day book.

[Zazie · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was a long story that I not only didn't like but also don't think would interest a child much. Maybe it would, but probably not. Try it if you think I'm wrong but this story wasn't great anyway.

[Francesca Merkel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought that this children’s picture book was endearing. This book is a great way for students to learn more about Ground Hog’s day. It talks about how the ground hog may see its shadow which means the winter will run longer. However, if the ground hog does not see its shadow, the winter will only last 6 more weeks. This story also teaches children not to go out and wander by themselves. Shadow got lost and was very frightened. Luckily, he was found and made it back to his family. I think that this picture book is a very valuable read for children. It could be especially valuable if read with an adult who emphasizes the danger of walking off alone. Overall, I think it is enjoyable and serves multiple purposes.

[Rose Rosetree · Rating 5 out of 5]

Look, it would be hard for any of us to survive being separated from our own personal shadows. Incredibly upbeat Peter Pan, as you may recall, turned downright mopey over that problem.

But for shadow separation to happen to Gregory Groundhog, and have it happen the day before Groundhog Day, whoa, trouble!

Illustrations (also by Don Freeman, this book's author) are incredibly vivid, lovely, expressive, original. Goodreaders, if you're lucky enough to find this book, might I suggest? Linger at the pages that show how "Gregory spent all day searching through the falling snow."

SUCH A HAPPY ENDING

Not that I'll do a spoiler, no no! Let me just tell you this: Some very sweet dancing may make you smile.

[Miss Clark · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 stars

Not Don Freeman's finest work but a delight to read one of his I never had before. Cute enough but definitely check out Norman the Doorman, Dandelion by Don Freeman(January 1, 1977) Paperback, or Pet of the Met!

[Donna Mork · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute shadow about a groundhog who goes outside his burrow with his shadow and feels brave. But he gets scared and runs back in so fast, he leaves his shadow behind. His shadow walks around trying to figure out what to do. At last they are reunited and happy but the next day is Groundhog day. The farmers won't be happy if he sees his shadow. So he has his shadow hide behind him, and everyone is happy. And brave.

[Children's Librarian · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's an ok book, but I have several questions:

How come a shadow can be seen in a dark barn?

And why does he decide from now on to wait till the 2nd of February to open his door?

And in the end, if they are so very brave now why do they need to stay very close to each other at all times? So they aren't brave, are they?

And why is he blue instead of gray? No wonder he looks a lot like a ghost and some kids are scared of this book.

[Pine tree leaf stick · Rating 1 out of 5]

I hate this stupid book, I was so terrified of it when I was a kid that I made my mom take it off my bedroom bookshelf. She put it on the living room bookshelf so then I was scared of the living room, I would not go in the living room for fear of seeing this book.

1/5 for childhood trauma

[Anthony · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gregory the Groundhog was out with his shadow, when he is frightened by a strange shadow, and runs off leaving his own shadow outside. Gregory's shadow becomes lost, and Gregory must reunite with his shadow to provide the farmer's insight to the winter weather.

[Al · Rating 3 out of 5]

A little long for the youngest early elementary kids. Didn't go over well for a kindergarten read-aloud, but a sweet story nonetheless.

[Samantha · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an awesome kids story about groundhogs day. So cute :)

[John · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like this book because Gregory loses his shadow, like in Groundhog's Runaway Shadow.

[Peacegal · Rating 3 out of 5]

Both the Groundhog and his shadow are separate characters in this unique story for the holiday.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

Age 3-5 per amazon. Themes: Shadows, Friends, Groundhog's Day

[Selena L · Rating 4 out of 5]

Simple, but it is a bit long for preschoolers and they lost interest quickly. The text is also small, so the 4-5 year olds can't read it by themselves.

[Kimberly · Rating 4 out of 5]

A nice story about a groundhog, and his best friend- Shadow. After getting separated, they have to find each other and get home in time for Groundhog Day. (Tomorrow/In the morning.)

[Roger · Rating 2 out of 5]

I had high hopes for this one but was disappointed

[Shari (Shira) · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm looking for a Groundhog's Day book. I guess this one will do.

[Luisa Knight · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was cute, but don't read it on Groundhog's Day. Read it the day before; when the story takes place. *wink

Ages: 3 - 5

Cleanliness: nothing to note.

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[Heidi-Marie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Adorable pictures. Of course. It's Don Freeman! (Of Corduroy fame.) The story is all right. Had moments where it didn't work for me. Otherwise it's fine. A different groundhog story than I'm used to. I'm trying to figure out how the kids will like it and how much they'll understand. Not sure, but worth having on display at least.

2/5/14: The twist of the shadow being the one left behind kept this from being too similar to the other shadow books, but I think some kids got confused as to who/what the shadow was. At one point I paused to explain a make believe story since we know that shadows don't move on their own. (Funny that no child has yet to question me about all of these animals as characters.)

[Elevetha · Rating 3 out of 5]

Oddly enough, I don't remember this ever being read to me as a child, though Mum is vehement that she did. She probably did, but still. One thing that is a pity about reading a children's book for the first time, once you're past a certain age, is that you so often find it illogical, unless it's set in a strictly fairytale-esque setting. For example, how did Gregory see his shadow in the completely dark barn? Well, it glows, so that solves one problem. However, that leads as to how his shadow glows and the best explanation for that one is that his shadow is bio-luminescent. Anyways, bio-luminescence aside, it was cute, though I would have undoubtedly enjoyed it more as a wee lass.

Funny that I don't even blink at a talking groundhog.....