Groundhog Day is a holiday that is largely ignored in children’s books. Children know all about Santa Claus and the Easter Bunny, but have they ever heard about Andrew McGroundhog? In his new book, Peter J. Welling shares a story about how Groundhog Day came into existence with the help of a little Scottish groundhog and his shady shadow. This entertaining book also teaches children a few Gaelic words in the process.
One day, Andrew McGroundhog climbed up Hadrian’s Heights to go fishing. As he was climbing, he repeatedly heard someone cry out and found that it was his shadow. His shadow was upset about being dragged up the mountain, dunked in the water, and stepped on by a pony. Andrew’s shadow wanted the groundhogs to hibernate because winter was too cold for shadows. Andrew then wondered when he could stop hibernating—his shadow said he would give a thumbs-up if it was springtime or would bonk him on the nose if it was winter. Even now, if the groundhogs don't see the thumbs-up, they sleep for six more weeks.
About the Author/Illustrator
Peter J. Welling is a writer and illustrator from Indianapolis. He has had several “moral stories” published and is the art director for Futures Magazine. In his spare time, this father of four and grandfather of two volunteers at his youngest son’s school, where he won the “Parent Volunteer of the Year Award” twice.
ANDREW MCGROUNDHOG AND HIS SHADY SHADOW
Written and illustrated by Peter J. Welling
JUVENILE FICTION / Holidays & Celebrations / Other, Nonreligious
JUVENILE FICTION / Animals / Mammals
32 pp. 10 x 10
31 color illustrations
ISBN: 9781565547117