Loved the water color art and the feeling of motion Appelhans brought to the illustrations. What can I say? I'd been meaning to read it because I like Jenkins' work consistently, but to spot it on Groundhog Day? It was meant to be. And so pretty and frenetic.

Library copy

Groundhog Gets a Say is an entertaining story packed with information about groundhogs.  A groundhog sets out to prove to his readers that he is more than just a shadow and should be appreciated more than just one day of the year. This story has kids laughing and learning at the same time.  I would read this book to my second and third graders on Groundhog's day and have them participate in several engaging activities.  This would be a great introduction to a research project on groundhogs, fact and opinion study, and learning to compare and contrast.

by David Biedrzycki

age range: 3 years old and up

Charlesbridge

Phil Groundhog used to think that having a shadow was cool. Shadow jumped with him, laughed with him, sang with him. But now that Phil grew up, he and Shadow don't seem to have too much in common anymore. Phil likes to eat dandelions, Shadow tacos. Phil like to spend his vacations in a local beach, Shadow wants to see the world. The worst is that sometimes Shadow embarrasses Phil in front of his friends. Why can't Shadow be like any other shadow? Phil has had enough. He is so angry he wished Shadow would go away. And Shadow went away. Phil feels so alone... Searching for Shadow around the world sounds scary, but Phil has to find him.

This book is so silly and funny! A serious and responsible groundhog trying to hold at bay his irreverent shadow makes a totally enjoyable read. It makes you want to play with your shadow again. The characters are lovable. The story is told with short sentences and few words, the illustrations playing an important role. A great read if you are looking to just have some fun.

I received this copy from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I love people who make me laugh. I honestly think it's the thing I like most, to laugh. It cures a multitude of ills. It's probably the most important thing in a person. -Audrey Hepburn

Maybe your weird is my normal. Who's to say? -Nicki Minaj

I have one word to say about The Icing on the Corpse. Quirky. What else can it be but quirky and funny when it is set in Frog Ledge, Connecticut? Especially when the mystery occurs during the annual Groundhog Day Festival. A festival that the whole town truly gets into – in a ‘way-over-the-top-everyone-dresses-up-like-a-groundhog’ sort of way.

Kristan "Stan" Connor has the honour this year of being the ‘Goundhog Gift-Giver’ to the star of the festival, a groundhog named Lilypad. As the owner and chief baker of Pawsitively Organic, Stan is thrilled to gain the notoriety, and the possible new business for her canine and feline bakery. Only things don’t go as everyone planned, when much beloved Helga Oliver, the town historian, is found in a crumpled heap at the bottom of the stairs in the museum basement. Who would want to hurt good natured Helga? Why? And is the cause a more modern one – like the guy who wants Helga’s job as the town historian? Or has something in the past come back to haunt the town?

Stan’s ‘I’m really too old to call a guy my “boyfriend” boyfriend, Jake, is devastated to lose the woman who has been like a grandmother to him all his life. The family response ranges from whacky to just plain mean, and the addition of a celebrity ghost hunter show to the mix makes this one wild ride.

I received this book from the publisher in return for a realistic review. All thoughts are my own.