Punxsutawney Phyllis [Paperback]

Susanna Leonard Hill (Author), Jeffrey Ebbeler (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 5 and up | Grade Level: K and up

Phyllis can't convince Uncle Phil to get out of bed to make his prediction on Groundhog Day. When Uncle Phil realizes he has missed all the signs of an early spring, he knows it's time to retire and pass on the title of Punxsutawney Phil. Only this time, it's Punxsutawney Phyllis!

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Kindergarten-Grade 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
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. --This text refers to the School & Library Binding edition.

From Booklist

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 © American Library Association. All rights reserved --This text refers to the School & Library Binding edition.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 5 and up
  
• Paperback: 32 pages
• Publisher: Holiday House (P) (June 30, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 082342040X
• ISBN-13: 978-0823420407
• Product Dimensions: 9.7 x 9 x 0.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #94,375 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #64 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Children's Books > People & Places > Holidays & Festivals > Non-religious
  • #99 in Books > Children's Books > Holidays & Celebrations > Non-religious

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Set your goals and go after them!, December 21, 2005

By 

Corinne H. Smith (Athol, MA USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Punxsutawney Phyllis (School & Library Binding)

Young Phyllis the groundhog has a goal: she wants to be the next Punxsutawney Phil, the weather-forecasting groundhog who determines whether or not Spring is on its way. She's been told that no female has ever had that role, and that fact doesn't faze her in the least. She loves the outdoors, and she's got a real talent for reading the signs of Spring. When her Uncle Phil doesn't quite make the right call on Groundhog Day, Phyllis proves to him that she's got what it takes. He officially names her his successor.

This is by far the best Groundhog Day picture book I've seen. The author and illustrator stay true to the facts and give us a beautiful storyline and amusing drawings to go with it. The final page of the book explains the Groundhog Day tradition. Other reviewers see in these pages a message of empowerment for girls; I see an inspiration to youngsters of both sexes to be true to their convictions and talents. And if they have the right stuff, they can succeed at anything.

See my Listmania list for other Groundhog Day recommendations.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Girl Can Do Anything, October 7, 2005

By 

Mother of Two (California) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Punxsutawney Phyllis (School & Library Binding)

This story is not only charming, but it sends the message that a girl can be anything she wants to be if she only believes in herself. As a mother of two young girls, I am always searching for a book that has this message - and the author does it so beautifully here. My four year old asks for this book to be read several times over each time we read it, which is always a sign that the text is lively and fun. But for me, it is the fact that the main character's wit, perceptions, and trust in her own instincts are the things that lead to her achievements that is the real measure of success in this book. I highly recommend it to all girls.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Girls & Holidays are Fun, May 3, 2010

By 

Theresa A. Cox "Coxy Loxy" (Hillsborough, NC United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Punxsutawney Phyllis (Paperback)

I read Punxsutawney Phyllis every year to my third grade class, and so does the teacher across the hall. The illustrations are a great match for the text and are well done, and Phyllis is a good role model for young girls (and I think young boys too). This books makes learning fun, and the book is a perfect read aloud--not too long, not too short. The kids always really react to the text and pictures and love discussing the book.