Substitute Groundhog

by Pat Miller, Kathi Ember (Illustrator)

It's almost Groundhog Day! Everyone knows that Groundhog has an important job to do every February 2, but this year he's not feeling well. Dr. Owl diagnoses him with the flu and orders two days of bed rest. But how will people know the weather forecast if Groundhog is down in his hole in bed?

Then Groundhog has in idea -- he can hire a substitute! Maybe Squirrel can be the substitute, or Eagle, or Bear. But at the subtitute auditions, Groundhog realizes that none of his friends is quite right for the job. Will he be able to find a substitute or will Groundhog Day be cancelled this year?

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

32 pages, Library Binding

First published September 28, 2006

Reviews

[Calista · Rating 3 out of 5]

An enjoyable Groundhog story. Groundhog is sick the day before his big day - Groundhog day. He has the flu - what to do? He puts up a want add.

Our country is big and did you know that there are places where Spring happens early in February. After the big day is saved by a new friend, Groundhog decides to go south and get well in the warmer weather since it's not Winter everywhere.

The art is cute and the characters pop with zanniness. The kids were engaged with this one. They enjoyed the animals.

[Faloni © · Rating 5 out of 5]

After taking a walk outdoors, I’m now considering a groundhog for a pet. Wouldn’t it be nice to have one if it could prevent you from getting cold & wet! I would like to have a groundhog for a pet and take good care of it. Then it won’t have to call into the office of Woodchuck’s on Groundhogs Day sick!

[Rosa Cline · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this story the groundhog feels himself coming down with the flu so he advertises for someone to substitute for him for Groundhogs day. He has several 'applicants' but some doesn't like the tunnel, some can't see, some are to hyper and can't pay attention long enough to remember to look for their shadow. UNTIL a visiting animal to the area applies and she is able to do the job for him to finally get some rest to get better. AND she takes him back to Texas her home state where it's warm so he can get better faster. My 3 year old granddaughter and I both enjoyed reading and looking at the illustrations on this book. And without the child knowing it they are learning various animals and their 'habits'.

[J9 · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great little book for Groundhog's Day. Shows that we all get tired of our jobs sometimes and it's okay to take a break. It also taught all about Groundhog Day and had great illustrations. Recommended for a Groundhog Day's lesson.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book about Groundhog Day.

[Bonnie]

Another cute groundhog story, but still a bit too confusing to explain Groundhog Day.

[D Nine · Rating 3 out of 5]

It does explain clearly what is expected of Groundhog. So was groundhog really sick or just sick of winter?

[Relyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun, kid-friendly book

[Bev · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a sweet book - very unpredictable ending!

[Meghan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Kinda cute, but didn't stand out.

[Allison Greg · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book was very cute with great illustrations. It introduced several different types of animals too. I enjoyed the book very much.

[Cmfzebra · Rating 5 out of 5]

I liked the book because I liked the mole.

[Judy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Features an armadillo as groundhog struggles to find a substitute among all his animal friends.

[Susie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute book. Perfect to use with students for Groundhog Day (or in this case, Groundhog Eve)

[Lynn Davidson · Rating 4 out of 5]

An adorable story about a groundhog who comes down with the flu just before Groundhog Day, so he looks for someone to do his job for him that day. He interviews some other animals who aren't fit for the job for one reason or another, until a visitor to the area asks for a chance to do it. Very cute illustrations.

[Erin · Rating 2 out of 5]

OK Groundhog Day story. Shouldn't have read it during a pandemic because all I could focus on was that the groundhog was sick and still interacting with other characters so closely when he should have been isolating! There was even a handshake! Ack!!

[Katie · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's pretty weird to read this in 2022. The groundhog is too sick to put on Groundhog Day, but holds a bunch of face to face interviews for a replacement and shakes hands with the applicants.
But the interviews are still a fun way to talk about the differences between animals.

[Susan ...relish every word!!! · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great story when it is Groundhog’s Day!!! Showed the students the animals that came to apply…and had them guess which one would become the “substitute” groundhog…didn’t know what an armadillo was…lol

[Amanda Harrison · Rating 3 out of 5]

Groundhog is sick and needs a substitute, but still manages to put in a lot of work interviewing candidates while he should be presumably resting.

Passable holiday book.

[Wyshona D. Lawson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very cute

[Elizabeth Edwards · Rating 5 out of 5]

this is too funny!! perfect read, great illustrations, well done!! made me happy and i found it to be so creative and fun!!

[Erin · Rating 4 out of 5]

A nice book with cute illustrations.

[Valerie Doherty · Rating 4 out of 5]

Amusing premise with adorable characters. Well done.

[Stephanie Lyles · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was fantastic!!
We enjoyed it from beginning to end as it covered Groundhog Day, animals, friendship, and most of all helping others in need. I highly recommend this book!

[Cheryl · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've actually never met a Texan who was both hospitable and scientific. To be fair, I've only met a couple of dozen, though. Maybe I'm just missing the ones who are like Armadillo.

[Jenny · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5

[J.J. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Teaches the importance of groundhog’s day to young readers while also introducing animals winter habits.

[Peggy Hess Greenawalt · Rating 4 out of 5]

if you live in Texas, and are from PA, this is such a cute story.

[Julie Ditton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Groundhog is ill and interviews a variety of subsitute candidates, making a friend along the way.

[Kate Hastings · Rating 4 out of 5]

**Library sparks has a neat reader's theatre to try in conjunction with this story.