In a twist on the classic tale of the Grasshopper and the Ants, Groundhog must find a way to get his hibernating friends to share their food stores with him after he has played away the fall and early winter. On Jan. 2nd, he climbs to the top of the hill where the sun is shining and the snow is melting, and proclaims that spring has come early. His friends all emerge and feast—until snowflakes start to swirl around them and Squirrel realizes what Groundhog has done. In retaliation, his friends decide to trick him. When he emerges from hibernation on Feb. 2nd, he sees his “shadow” and goes back to sleep, not realizing that spring has already arrived. Cassels’s gouache paintings are remarkably detailed and lifelike—blades of grass, tree bark and the hairs on each animal’s coat of fur all stand out with amazing clarity. At the same time, she has given the characters the anthropomorphic qualities that will help them appeal to the youngest readers—a brilliant balance that make the illustrations truly memorable. Great for a read-aloud in classrooms. (Picture book. 3-8)
