Secret Of The First One Up

by Iris Hiskey Arno, Renée Graef

Kindergarten-Grade 2-When Lila, a young groundhog, objects to going to sleep for the winter, Uncle Wilbur tells her to rest so that she can try to be the first one to wake up in the spring and discover a big secret. She is indeed the first groundhog to awaken and quickly runs up the tunnel and outdoors, where she is greeted by all of the animals that do not hibernate and learns from them how important her shadow is. Lovely, warm illustrations, created with gouache, colored pencils, and acrylics, depict the groundhog household as well as a variety of winter animals. A short note on Groundhog Day is appended. This book can be used for holiday celebrations or as an addition to a storytime or unit on hibernation. ―-SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL

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

32 pages, Hardcover

First published August 1, 2003

Reviews

[Debra · Rating 4 out of 5]

A nice twist on hibernation and Groundhog Day. Beautiful illustrations show a groundhog family getting ready for hibernation. All except Lila who is not sleepy. Uncle Wilbur sympathizes with Lila about being a young groundhog not wanting to go to sleep for such a long time. Uncle Wilbur challenges her to be the first one up and learn a secret. When Lila suddenly wakes up she runs to check on Uncle Wilbur who is only wants a little more sleep. So she hurries outside to find a collection of forest friends gathered to greet her. Lila has no idea what they want as they keep asking, "Tell us! Tell us!! Do you see it?" When she realizes that they want to know if she has seen her shadow she starts looking for it and announces that she is sorry that she cannot see it. The animals tell her not to be sorry as they dance around delighted that now spring is coming. At the end Uncle Wilbur appears to congratulate her on learning the secret or predicting spring.

[Caroline K. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very cute story about a little groundhog who discovers the secret of Groundhog Day. The story flows well and has some nice sentences: "Down and down she spun into the warm darkness of a deep winter sleep."

I also like the warm illustrations created by Renée Graef - the illustrator for the Laura Ingalls Wilder series and the Kirsten American Girl Doll book series.

The Author's Note at the end of the book is a wonderful touch that connects the story to the holiday we still celebrate each year in the USA.

[Julie Ditton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kids rarely want ot go to sleep at bedtime, and Lila the groundhog is no different. She doesn't want to go to sleep for the winter. Her uncle challanges her to wake up early to find out the secret of the first one up. When she wakes up before anyone else and tries to wake her uncle, she rushes out and finds various forest creatures waiting. Naturrally she is confused when they cheer because she didn't see her shadow. This book adresses the counterintuitve issue that no Sun means no shadow, and yet a cloudy day means an early Spring. I liked the warm friendship between Lila and her uncle and how he loitered so that she would get to be the first one up. The warm earthtone illustrations are a perfect reflection of the mood set by the author.

[Rona · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lila, like most smart children doesn’t want to go to sleep. But, unlike human children, Lila’s sleep is months long. She’s a groundhog.
There’s a secret known only to the first groundhog who wakes up and goes outside. What is it? Will Lila wake up early enough to find out?
Beautifully illustrated. Respectful adult characters. Female protagonist.

[Regina Gluchowski · Rating 5 out of 5]

Adorable! Kids love to find out secrets and the little groundhog in the story is eager to know the secret of Groundhog's Day. Excellent book for predicting and responding activities. Effective springboard to tackle the confusion of no shadow/no sun=Spring is near. I also appreciated the history of Groundhog's day included on the last page.

[Karen · Rating 3 out of 5]

There isn't a very big array of groundhog books. I would love to able to add this one to the must-read list for Groundhog's Day, but it doesn't quite deliver a very engaging story. The artwork is cute, though.

[Kimberly · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is now my favorite ground hogs day book ever. What a great way to make it seem just as exciting as a child feels on Christmas morning. This little groundhog gets to learn a secret if she can manage to be the first awake after the long winter hibernation.

[Erin]

The only groundhog day book we have. It's cute, but nothing special.

[Relyn · Rating 1 out of 5]

I normally don't do much for Groundhog Day, but I thought I should try it this year. I got all the books I could from my library and was able to find a few my kids liked. This was not one of them.

[Shawn Deal · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautifully illustrated a great little book about the the first groundhog being the first one out of its burrow on February 2nd. The first graders certainly loved it.

[Alena · Rating 2 out of 5]

Good read aloud. Groundhog Day. PK-2nd.