As February rolls around, I never remember what happens if the groundhog sees its shadow. Will spring be early or late? Reading “Brownie Groundhog and the February Fox” reminded me that if the groundhog sees his shadow, he returns underground for six more weeks of winter. Here are two books about groundhogs and other creatures that are excited for the arrival of spring.
“Brownie Groundhog and the February Fox” by Susan Blackaby, illustrated by Carmen Segovia
“On the second day of February, a groundhog named Brownie woke up.” So begins the tail of Brownie, a little groundhog who wears a red scarf. When Brownie goes outside, she sees her shadow: “I was afraid of that,” said Brownie. “Shadows mean more winter, and more winter means waiting. Wait, wait, wait.” Brownie stomped her foot. “Phooey!” A prolonged winter is the least of Brownie’s worries, as a fox waits patiently for his next meal — groundhog. He pounces, knocking Brownie into the snow. “Hold still,” he said. “I’m trying to eat you for breakfast.” However, Brownie has a few tricks up her sleeve: “Don’t be silly,” said Brownie, wiggling free. “You’re too late for breakfast.” February Fox really wants to eat Brownie, but she is smarter and cleverer than he is, giving him different tasks to find evidence that spring is around the corner. In the end, all it takes is sharing some cinnamon toast and hot cocoa for the pair to become friends—the fox’s breakfast of groundhog all forgotten.
Like this book? You’ll also enjoy “Brownie Groundhog and the Wintry Surprise.”
“Finding Spring” by Carin Berger
Maurice is a little bear who is so excited for spring to arrive, that he skips out on the entire hibernation process. “I wish it was spring right now,” Maurice told Mama. “Waiting is hard,” she said. “Right now it is time to sleep.” Once Mama falls asleep, Maurice declares, “I will go find spring!” and wanders through the woods, running into squirrels, rabbits, and robins who are all preparing for winter. Maurice finds spring, or so he thinks. By the time he returns to his cave, spring (a snowball) has melted. Carin Berger’s illustrations reveal the magic of the seasons, and young readers will delight in following Maurice’s adventures, eventually finding true spring at the end of the book.
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