Substitute Groundhog

by Pat Miller

It's almost Groundhog Day! But this year Groundhog is not feeling well. Dr. Owl diagnoses him with the flu and orders two days of bed rest. Then Groundhog has in idea--he can hire a substitute! Maybe Squirrel can be the substitute, or Eagle, or Bear.

Genres: Picture Books, Animals, Holiday, Childrens, Fiction, School, Storytime

32 pages, Hardcover

First published September 28, 2006

Reviews

[Calista]

An enjoyable Groundhog story. Groundhog is sick the day before his big day - Groundhog day. He has the flu - what to do? He puts up a want add.

Our country is big and did you know that there are places where Spring happens early in February. After the big day is saved by a new friend, Groundhog decides to go south and get well in the warmer weather since it's not Winter everywhere.

The art is cute and the characters pop with zanniness. The kids were engaged with this one. They enjoyed the animals.

[Faloni ©]

After taking a walk outdoors, I’m now considering a groundhog for a pet. Wouldn’t it be nice to have one if it could prevent you from getting cold & wet! I would like to have a groundhog for a pet and take good care of it. Then it won’t have to call into the office of Woodchuck’s on Groundhogs Day sick!

[Rosa Cline]

In this story the groundhog feels himself coming down with the flu so he advertises for someone to substitute for him for Groundhogs day. He has several 'applicants' but some doesn't like the tunnel, some can't see, some are to hyper and can't pay attention long enough to remember to look for their shadow. UNTIL a visiting animal to the area applies and she is able to do the job for him to finally get some rest to get better. AND she takes him back to Texas her home state where it's warm so he can get better faster. My 3 year old granddaughter and I both enjoyed reading and looking at the illustrations on this book. And without the child knowing it they are learning various animals and their 'habits'.

[J9]

Great little book for Groundhog's Day. Shows that we all get tired of our jobs sometimes and it's okay to take a break. It also taught all about Groundhog Day and had great illustrations. Recommended for a Groundhog Day's lesson.

[Jennifer]

Great book about Groundhog Day.

[Bonnie]

Another cute groundhog story, but still a bit too confusing to explain Groundhog Day.

[D Nine]

It does explain clearly what is expected of Groundhog. So was groundhog really sick or just sick of winter?

[Relyn]

Fun, kid-friendly book

[Bev]

Such a sweet book - very unpredictable ending!

[Meghan]

Kinda cute, but didn't stand out.

[Allison Greg]

The book was very cute with great illustrations. It introduced several different types of animals too. I enjoyed the book very much.

[Cmfzebra]

I liked the book because I liked the mole.

[Judy]

Features an armadillo as groundhog struggles to find a substitute among all his animal friends.

[Susie]

Cute book. Perfect to use with students for Groundhog Day (or in this case, Groundhog Eve)

[Randall]

Summary:
Substitute Groundhog is the story of a groundhog that gets sicks the day before Groundhog Day. The story follows along as the groundhog searches for someone to fill in for him. Several animals volunteer for the opportunity, but each one has some sort of lacking in the skills needed for the job. As groundhog sorts through the candidates, he finally arrives at one that is a great fit for the task at hand. This cute story demonstrates that we are all unique at what each of us do and not just anyone can fill our shoes.
Honest Review:
Groundhog is my favorite holiday, so of course I was drawn to this book. I enjoyed this cutesy take on Groundhog Day. I also enjoy the artwork from illustrator Kathie Ember.
Classroom Usage:
This could easily go with ELA and Science. Students utilize a narrative piece that would detail how they would fill in or even a persuasive piece that they would demonstrate why they would be the proper candidate to substitute in this situation. Science units that may involve weather or shadow experiments with the sun could also tie in nicely with the book.

[Lynn Davidson]

An adorable story about a groundhog who comes down with the flu just before Groundhog Day, so he looks for someone to do his job for him that day. He interviews some other animals who aren't fit for the job for one reason or another, until a visitor to the area asks for a chance to do it. Very cute illustrations.

[Erin]

OK Groundhog Day story. Shouldn't have read it during a pandemic because all I could focus on was that the groundhog was sick and still interacting with other characters so closely when he should have been isolating! There was even a handshake! Ack!!

[Katie]

It's pretty weird to read this in 2022. The groundhog is too sick to put on Groundhog Day, but holds a bunch of face to face interviews for a replacement and shakes hands with the applicants.
But the interviews are still a fun way to talk about the differences between animals.

[Susan ...relish every word!!!]

This is a great story when it is Groundhog’s Day!!! Showed the students the animals that came to apply…and had them guess which one would become the “substitute” groundhog…didn’t know what an armadillo was…lol

[Amanda Harrison]

Groundhog is sick and needs a substitute, but still manages to put in a lot of work interviewing candidates while he should be presumably resting.

Passable holiday book.

[Wyshona D. Lawson]

Very cute

[Elizabeth Edwards]

this is too funny!! perfect read, great illustrations, well done!! made me happy and i found it to be so creative and fun!!

[Valerie Doherty]

Amusing premise with adorable characters. Well done.

[Stephanie Lyles]

This book was fantastic!!
We enjoyed it from beginning to end as it covered Groundhog Day, animals, friendship, and most of all helping others in need. I highly recommend this book!

[Cheryl]

I've actually never met a Texan who was both hospitable and scientific. To be fair, I've only met a couple of dozen, though. Maybe I'm just missing the ones who are like Armadillo.

[Jenny]

2.5

[J.J.]

Teaches the importance of groundhog’s day to young readers while also introducing animals winter habits.

[Peggy Hess Greenawalt]

if you live in Texas, and are from PA, this is such a cute story.

[Julie Ditton]

Groundhog is ill and interviews a variety of subsitute candidates, making a friend along the way.

[Kate Hastings]

**Library sparks has a neat reader's theatre to try in conjunction with this story.