Review by Booklist Review
K-Gr. 3. When groundhog Phyllis grows up, she wants to be Punxsutawney Phil, the official weather forecaster on Groundhog Day. Unfortunately, as her family points out, Punxsutawney Phil has never been a girl. Phyllis knows she can do the job, though, and when she wakes on February 2, and recognizes the signs of an early spring that her old uncle Phil misses, everyone realizes her dreams aren't so farfetched. Charming, full-color acrylic paintings detail Phyllis and other cute, clothing-clad groundhogs cozy at home and out in the snow. Some energetic family banter enlivens the straightforward text, which presumes some knowledge of the tradition, which is explained in a note aimed at adults who are reading this to kids. The colorful, cozy, and plucky Phyllis, who knows her talents and finds a way to use them, is the main attraction here. --Shelle Rosenfeld Copyright 2005 Booklist
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by School Library Journal Review
K-Gr 3-Phyllis, a brightly clad groundhog, loves to be outdoors in all types of weather. Her uncle is Punxsutawney Phil, and she dreams of one day taking over his job, even though everyone tells her that she can't because she is a girl. One February morning, she wakes up and sees that the snow is melting, the brook is running, and the air smells sharp--all indicators of an early spring. When her sleepy uncle is reluctant to get out of bed, she volunteers to make his prediction for him. Uncle Phil objects, thinking that one of his sons will take his place when the time comes. Still, he invites her to accompany him outside, where he sniffs the air and forecasts six more weeks of winter. However, Phyllis insists there will be an early spring, pointing out all of the signs. Uncle Phil admits that he is wrong, decides to retire, and turns his job over to his niece even though she's a girl-because rules can be bent once in a while. Details about the origins of Groundhog Day and Punxsutawney Phil are appended. Ebbeler's full-bleed acrylic illustrations show an exuberant Phyllis skipping through a brook, sunbathing, and munching on berries. The woodland landscapes are bright and lush. The burrow scenes are rustic, cozy, and filled with patchwork quilts and comfy furniture. A welcome addition, especially when Groundhog Day is close at hand.-Linda Staskus, Parma Regional Library, OH (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Horn Book Review
Uncle ""Punxsutawney"" Phil is getting too old to represent Groundhog Day. As tradition has it a boy will inherit the role, but when Phil's niece, Phyllis, recognizes the signs of the changing season, the choice is obvious to Phil--as it will be to readers from the get-go. The acrylic-on-oak-panel art is competent. (c) Copyright 2010. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted. All rights reserved.
(c) Copyright The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
