Gretchen Groundhog, It's Your Day!

November 2, 1998
Young Gretchen must carry on the family tradition of stepping out on the morning of February 2 to search for her shadow, but she is too shy to "Go Out" and face the crowd of people. With letters, e-mail, phone calls and visits, the townsfolk urge her to reconsider. Levine's (Ollie Knows Everything) tale turns hokey when the town historian's daughter arrives with a box of notes penned by Gretchen's ancestors (Goody Groundhog, who sailed on the Mayflower; George Groundhog, who fought at Valley Forge; and Gloria Groundhog, movie star), all confessing their fear of "Going Out." Emboldened by their words, Gretchen rises to the task, after she, too, jots down "a few lines" to place in the history box. Cote (Flip-Flops) peppers her cheery if occasionally stiff illustrations with some droll details: a quilt with an acorn motif, a book entitled Down Under. But the author shortchanges readers: they never get to read the message that Gretchen passes on to posterity, nor do they learn, when her big moment finally arrives, whether or not she spies her shadow. Gretchen's big day ends in anticlimax. Ages 5-8.

January 1, 1999
K-Gr 2-Gretchen has been newly appointed to look for her shadow on Groundhog Day so the townspeople will know if spring is just around the corner. Her Great-Uncle Gus, who long held the position, has become too old, and his niece has inherited the honor. After much worrying, she musters up courage when she learns that throughout history groundhogs have been afraid to "Go Out" the first time. Whimsical, cartoon illustrations in pencil, watercolor, and gouache capture Gretchen's apprehension, her final triumph, and the uproar of the crowd. For fillers on Groundhog Day or dealing with fear, this title will fill the bill.-Sally R. Dow, Ossining Public Library, NY

December 1, 1998
Ages 3^-5. An interesting introduction to Groundhog Day prefaces the story. Then it's all about Gretchen Groundhog, who comes from a long line of groundhog prognosticators but is too shy to go out in front of the crowd and peer at her shadow. The one joke goes on a little too long, but things take a twist when Hester, the daughter of the town historian, comes with clippings that prove many of Gretchen's illustrious ancestors have been shy on their day of duty as well. Few things are available for Groundhog Day, so libraries may find this useful for the holiday story hour; they may also want it on hand when requests come in for books about shyness. The watercolor, gouache, and pencil illustrations--full-page, half-page, and cameos--have lots of child appeal. ((Reviewed December 1, 1998))(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 1998, American Library Association.)