Are you looking for an entertaining book to read to your preschooler on Groundhog Day? If so, you may want to check out a handful of my favorites. Here’s a quick peek at each one:
“Substitute Groundhog”
In my opinion, Pat Miller’s “Substitute Groundhog” is a great book for preschoolers. It features bright, colorful illustrations and an amusing storyline that focuses on a sick groundhog in need of a temporary replacement. You can typically purchase a copy of the book for $7 through online retailers.
If you are looking for fun activities to pair with the book, there is an excellent, free guide posted on the Albert Whitman and Company’s website. It contains groundhog songs, plays, worksheets and more. I’d highly recommend it.
“Punxsutawney Phyllis”
I’d also recommend that you give Susanna Leonard Hill’s “Punxsutawney Phyllis” a try too. The storyline focuses on a little female groundhog named Phyllis. When her Uncle becomes incapable of carrying on the family’s weather predicting tradition, she decides to take over. I thought that the illustrations were perfect and I loved the main character’s moxie. Most major retailers sell the book for around $7 a copy. You can also find free lesson plan suggestions to use with the book on the author’s website.
“Ten Grouchy Groundhogs”
I loved Kathryn Heling and Deborah Hembrook’s “Ten Grouchy Groundhogs” and there’s a good chance that you will as well. The book features charming illustrations, rhyming words and a great flow. It will also have the kids counting backwards from 10 to one. The book is generally available for purchase through many retailers for less than $4 a copy. In my experience, the book pairs well with coloring sheets and sing-a-longs.
“Groundhog Weather School”
Even though it’s technically geared towards kindergarteners, Joan Holub’s “Groundhog Weather School” is also a hit with the preschoolers in my life. The storyline focuses on Professor Groundhog and his school. I like it because it includes a good overview about the holiday as well as weather forecasting. It features adorable illustrations too. You can often purchase the book through major retailers for $14 a copy. I’d suggest pairing it with a weather experiment. If you do decide to go that route, there are several free, weather related experiments listed on the Weather Whiz Kids website.
“Groundhog Gets a Say”
Last, but certainly not least, I’d recommend Pamela C. Swallow’s “Groundhog Gets a Say.” The storyline focuses on a groundhog that feels the need to inform others about all of his amazing skills. As he does so, the kids will learn a lot about groundhogs in general. It tends to retail for $7 through select book sellers. I’d suggest pairing it with a few groundhog songs, coloring sheets and groundhog cookies. You can find the recipe for the cookies posted on the Punxsutawney Groundhog Club’s website. As far as the cookie cutter goes, you can purchase one through Karen’s Cookies for less than $2.
Source: Personal Experience
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