{"id":456457457,"title":"Groundhog's Dilemma","handle":"groundhogs-dilemma","description":"\u003c!-- - - - - - - - ENTER AUTHOR\/ILLUSTRATOR INFO BELOW - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBy: \u003ca title=\"Author Kristen Remenar\" href=\"http:\/\/charlesbridge.myshopify.com\/pages\/kristen-remenar\"\u003eKristen Remenar\u003c\/a\u003e \/ Illustrated by: \u003ca title=\"Illustrator Matt Faulkner\" href=\"http:\/\/charlesbridge.myshopify.com\/pages\/matt-faulkner\"\u003eMatt Faulkner\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - ENTER HEADING BELOW - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eSix more weeks of winter? Maybe. Maybe not.\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - ENTER DESCRIPTION BELOW - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhen Groundhog sees his shadow, half the forest creatures are excited at six more weeks of winter, and the other half aren’t so happy. Hare and Bear are excited for more sleep, while Squirrel and Sparrow are tired of being stuck indoors.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe animals get the idea that they can bribe Groundhog to report the shadow verdict that they each desire. Before he knows it, Groundhog’s social calendar and stomach are both full as the animals shower him with treats and invites to baseball games, picnics, and bonfires. Groundhog begins to enjoy all the attention and time with his new friends, so he decides to play along and promises to return the prediction each animal wants.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhen the next Groundhog Day arrives, a nervous Groundhog is torn between lying to maintain his popularity and telling the truth. He finally realizes that he can’t please everyone. He must resist peer pressure and truthfully report what he sees.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMatt Faulkner's vibrant illustrations are packed with fun details and speech balloons accompany the main text, adding another amusing layer to the animals’ interactions.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - - - - ENTER RECOMMENDATIONS BELOW - - - - - - - -- - - --\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"recommended-books\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIf you like this book, you’ll enjoy these:\u003cbr\u003e\u003ca href=\"http:\/\/www.charlesbridge.com\/products\/baa-baa-black-sheep\" title=\"Baa Baa Black Sheep\"\u003eBaa Baa Black Sheep\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ca title=\"Goldy Luck and the Three Pandas\" href=\"http:\/\/charlesbridge.myshopify.com\/products\/goldy-luck-and-the-three-pandas\"\u003eGoldy Luck and the Three Pandas\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - - - - START OF TABS - - - - - - - -- - - --\u003e [TABS]\n\u003ch5\u003eLook Inside\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg class=\"cvr-border-gray\" style=\"display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0750\/0101\/files\/groundhogs-dilemma-spread.jpg?17498273368179713507\"\u003e\u003c!-- Please call pinit.js only once per page --\u003e\u003cscript src=\"\/\/assets.pinterest.com\/js\/pinit.js\" data-pin-hover=\"true\" data-pin-height=\"32\" data-pin-shape=\"round\" defer async=\"\" type=\"text\/javascript\"\u003e\u003c\/script\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - - - - ENTER AUTHOR BIO BELOW - - - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eAuthor \u0026amp; Illustrator\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eKristen Remenar, author\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eKristen Remenar is a children's librarian, writer, teacher, and national speaker on literacy. She is married to author\/illustrator Matt Faulkner.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca title=\"Author Kristen Remenar\" href=\"http:\/\/charlesbridge.myshopify.com\/pages\/kristen-remenar\"\u003eRead more\u003c\/a\u003e about Kristen.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - ENTER ILLUSTRATOR BIO BELOW - - - - - - - - - - - --\u003e \u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMatt Faulkner, illustrator\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAward-winning children's book author and illustrator Matt Faulkner has illustrated twenty-nine books and written and illustrated seven more since he began his career back in 1985. Matt is married to author and librarian Kristen Remenar.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca title=\"Illustrator Matt Faulkner\" href=\"http:\/\/charlesbridge.myshopify.com\/pages\/matt-faulkner\"\u003eRead more\u003c\/a\u003e about Matt.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - ENTER AWARDS \u0026 HONORS BELOW - - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eAwards \u0026amp; Honors\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBank Street Best Children’s Books of the Year 2016\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - - ENTER REVIEWS BELOW - - - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eEditorial Reviews\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cblockquote\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eKirkus Reviews\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAnnouncing six more weeks of winter earns Groundhog both friends and grumblers.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhen Groundhog sees his shadow, half the animals cheer, and the other half groan. But things really go downhill when spring finally arrives. Bear and Squirrel see nap-happy Hare give Groundhog a basket of berries as a gift for the extra weeks of slumber, so Squirrel invites him to a ballgame, hoping to cozen Groundhog into declaring an early spring next year. Though he initially protests, \"I don't actually control the weather. I just report it,\" he finds that he's enjoying the attention. Pretty soon, Groundhog gives in, and his social calendar fills up with picnics, bonfires, and more ballgames. Stricken by conscience as winter nears, he goes to the barn for advice from Owl, who simply says—wisely—that Groundhog got himself into this problem and must solve it himself. When Groundhog Day rolls around again, he risks disfavor by telling the truth and invites his friends to his home for a warm-up and some snacks. And so they pass much of those six extra weeks of winter, comfortably. Faulkner's anthropomorphic animals and vibrant colors recall Uncle Wiggly, and the illustrations are packed with humorous details that repay rereadings. Remenar's graceful prose and the subtlety of her message, pitched to older preschoolers and early-elementary students, are a good match.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA sly and funny take on truth-telling and friendship.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/blockquote\u003e\n\u003cblockquote\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSchool Library Journal\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEvery year on February 2, Groundhog emerges from his den and looks for his shadow, thus predicting whether winter will continue or if spring will come early. All of the forest animals have a preference about winter’s end, and soon, despite his protests about predicting and not controlling the weather, they begin to pressure him about his announcement. Groundhog likes all the attention, so he promises everyone that he will predict their preferences. When the big day rolls around, he is taught a valuable lesson about honesty and friendship. The colorful pencil, watercolor, and gouache illustrations, which take up the full pages and are quite detailed, keep the story interesting and work to bring the forest animals to life. Whimsical details, such as the baseball stadium named “Wiggley Field,” will keep adults entertained as well. Young readers will be able to predict the dilemma Groundhog is creating as he promises all of his friends different things, and they are likely to comment on his missteps. While the story may not be as profound as some tales of friendship, it fills a gap where Groundhog Day titles are lacking, and is enjoyable enough for adults and young readers alike to appreciate. VERDICT A nicely illustrated, satisfactory story that meets a need for Groundhog Day titles.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/blockquote\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - - - ENTER DOWNLOADABLES BELOW - - - - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eDownloadables\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0750\/0101\/files\/groundhogs-dilemma-cvr.jpg?15825706328736022525\" style=\"display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"btn-wrapper\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0750\/0101\/files\/groundhogs-dilemma-hires.zip?4172121099732422033\" class=\"product-btn\"\u003eDownload the Cover\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"btn-wrapper\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0750\/0101\/files\/groundhogs-dilemma-activity-guide.pdf?14250642777254555922\" class=\"product-btn\"\u003eDownload the Activity Kit\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - - - - ENTER DETAILS BELOW - - - - - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eDetails\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eHardcover\u003c\/b\u003e \u003cbr\u003eISBN: 978-1-58089-600-9\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eE-book\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003eISBN: 978-1-60734-903-7 EPUB\u003cbr\u003eISBN: 978-1-60734-904-4 PDF\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAges: 3-7\u003cbr\u003ePage count: 32\u003cbr\u003e11 x 8 \u003csup\u003e1\u003c\/sup\u003e\/\u003csub\u003e2\u003c\/sub\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eCorrelated to Common Core State Standards:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003eEnglish Language Arts-Literacy. Reading Literature. Grade K. Standards 1-7, 10\u003cbr\u003eEnglish Language Arts-Literacy. Reading Literature. Grade 1. Standards 1-4, 6, 7, 10\u003c\/p\u003e\n[\/TABS]","published_at":"2015-04-14T15:39:00-04:00","created_at":"2015-04-14T14:49:37-04:00","vendor":"Charlesbridge","type":"Children's Book","tags":["Browse by Age_Ages 3-6","Browse by Age_Ages 6-10","Browse by Fiction\/Nonfiction_Fiction","Browse by Format_Picture Book","Browse by Language_English","Browse by Subject_Holidays","Browse by Subject_Life Lessons \u0026 Skills","Browse by Subject_Story Time \u0026 Play","friendship"],"price":1899,"price_min":1899,"price_max":1899,"available":true,"price_varies":false,"compare_at_price":null,"compare_at_price_min":0,"compare_at_price_max":0,"compare_at_price_varies":false,"variants":[{"id":1195093313,"title":"Hardcover","option1":"Hardcover","option2":null,"option3":null,"sku":"96009","requires_shipping":true,"taxable":false,"featured_image":null,"available":true,"name":"Groundhog's Dilemma - Hardcover","public_title":"Hardcover","options":["Hardcover"],"price":1899,"weight":567,"compare_at_price":null,"inventory_quantity":23,"inventory_management":"shopify","inventory_policy":"continue","barcode":"978-1-58089-600-9","requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_allocations":[]}],"images":["\/\/imaginebooks.net\/cdn\/shop\/products\/groundhogs-dilemma-cover.jpg?v=1586795593"],"featured_image":"\/\/imaginebooks.net\/cdn\/shop\/products\/groundhogs-dilemma-cover.jpg?v=1586795593","options":["Title"],"media":[{"alt":"Groundhog's Dilemma book cover","id":2473881043023,"position":1,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":1.293,"height":464,"width":600,"src":"\/\/imaginebooks.net\/cdn\/shop\/products\/groundhogs-dilemma-cover.jpg?v=1586795593"},"aspect_ratio":1.293,"height":464,"media_type":"image","src":"\/\/imaginebooks.net\/cdn\/shop\/products\/groundhogs-dilemma-cover.jpg?v=1586795593","width":600}],"requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_groups":[],"content":"\u003c!-- - - - - - - - ENTER AUTHOR\/ILLUSTRATOR INFO BELOW - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBy: \u003ca title=\"Author Kristen Remenar\" href=\"http:\/\/charlesbridge.myshopify.com\/pages\/kristen-remenar\"\u003eKristen Remenar\u003c\/a\u003e \/ Illustrated by: \u003ca title=\"Illustrator Matt Faulkner\" href=\"http:\/\/charlesbridge.myshopify.com\/pages\/matt-faulkner\"\u003eMatt Faulkner\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - ENTER HEADING BELOW - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eSix more weeks of winter? Maybe. Maybe not.\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - ENTER DESCRIPTION BELOW - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhen Groundhog sees his shadow, half the forest creatures are excited at six more weeks of winter, and the other half aren’t so happy. Hare and Bear are excited for more sleep, while Squirrel and Sparrow are tired of being stuck indoors.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe animals get the idea that they can bribe Groundhog to report the shadow verdict that they each desire. Before he knows it, Groundhog’s social calendar and stomach are both full as the animals shower him with treats and invites to baseball games, picnics, and bonfires. Groundhog begins to enjoy all the attention and time with his new friends, so he decides to play along and promises to return the prediction each animal wants.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhen the next Groundhog Day arrives, a nervous Groundhog is torn between lying to maintain his popularity and telling the truth. He finally realizes that he can’t please everyone. He must resist peer pressure and truthfully report what he sees.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMatt Faulkner's vibrant illustrations are packed with fun details and speech balloons accompany the main text, adding another amusing layer to the animals’ interactions.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - - - - ENTER RECOMMENDATIONS BELOW - - - - - - - -- - - --\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"recommended-books\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIf you like this book, you’ll enjoy these:\u003cbr\u003e\u003ca href=\"http:\/\/www.charlesbridge.com\/products\/baa-baa-black-sheep\" title=\"Baa Baa Black Sheep\"\u003eBaa Baa Black Sheep\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ca title=\"Goldy Luck and the Three Pandas\" href=\"http:\/\/charlesbridge.myshopify.com\/products\/goldy-luck-and-the-three-pandas\"\u003eGoldy Luck and the Three Pandas\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - - - - START OF TABS - - - - - - - -- - - --\u003e [TABS]\n\u003ch5\u003eLook Inside\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg class=\"cvr-border-gray\" style=\"display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0750\/0101\/files\/groundhogs-dilemma-spread.jpg?17498273368179713507\"\u003e\u003c!-- Please call pinit.js only once per page --\u003e\u003cscript src=\"\/\/assets.pinterest.com\/js\/pinit.js\" data-pin-hover=\"true\" data-pin-height=\"32\" data-pin-shape=\"round\" defer async=\"\" type=\"text\/javascript\"\u003e\u003c\/script\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - - - - ENTER AUTHOR BIO BELOW - - - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eAuthor \u0026amp; Illustrator\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eKristen Remenar, author\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eKristen Remenar is a children's librarian, writer, teacher, and national speaker on literacy. She is married to author\/illustrator Matt Faulkner.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca title=\"Author Kristen Remenar\" href=\"http:\/\/charlesbridge.myshopify.com\/pages\/kristen-remenar\"\u003eRead more\u003c\/a\u003e about Kristen.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - ENTER ILLUSTRATOR BIO BELOW - - - - - - - - - - - --\u003e \u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMatt Faulkner, illustrator\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAward-winning children's book author and illustrator Matt Faulkner has illustrated twenty-nine books and written and illustrated seven more since he began his career back in 1985. Matt is married to author and librarian Kristen Remenar.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca title=\"Illustrator Matt Faulkner\" href=\"http:\/\/charlesbridge.myshopify.com\/pages\/matt-faulkner\"\u003eRead more\u003c\/a\u003e about Matt.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - ENTER AWARDS \u0026 HONORS BELOW - - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eAwards \u0026amp; Honors\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBank Street Best Children’s Books of the Year 2016\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - - ENTER REVIEWS BELOW - - - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eEditorial Reviews\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cblockquote\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eKirkus Reviews\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAnnouncing six more weeks of winter earns Groundhog both friends and grumblers.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhen Groundhog sees his shadow, half the animals cheer, and the other half groan. But things really go downhill when spring finally arrives. Bear and Squirrel see nap-happy Hare give Groundhog a basket of berries as a gift for the extra weeks of slumber, so Squirrel invites him to a ballgame, hoping to cozen Groundhog into declaring an early spring next year. Though he initially protests, \"I don't actually control the weather. I just report it,\" he finds that he's enjoying the attention. Pretty soon, Groundhog gives in, and his social calendar fills up with picnics, bonfires, and more ballgames. Stricken by conscience as winter nears, he goes to the barn for advice from Owl, who simply says—wisely—that Groundhog got himself into this problem and must solve it himself. When Groundhog Day rolls around again, he risks disfavor by telling the truth and invites his friends to his home for a warm-up and some snacks. And so they pass much of those six extra weeks of winter, comfortably. Faulkner's anthropomorphic animals and vibrant colors recall Uncle Wiggly, and the illustrations are packed with humorous details that repay rereadings. Remenar's graceful prose and the subtlety of her message, pitched to older preschoolers and early-elementary students, are a good match.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA sly and funny take on truth-telling and friendship.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/blockquote\u003e\n\u003cblockquote\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSchool Library Journal\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEvery year on February 2, Groundhog emerges from his den and looks for his shadow, thus predicting whether winter will continue or if spring will come early. All of the forest animals have a preference about winter’s end, and soon, despite his protests about predicting and not controlling the weather, they begin to pressure him about his announcement. Groundhog likes all the attention, so he promises everyone that he will predict their preferences. When the big day rolls around, he is taught a valuable lesson about honesty and friendship. The colorful pencil, watercolor, and gouache illustrations, which take up the full pages and are quite detailed, keep the story interesting and work to bring the forest animals to life. Whimsical details, such as the baseball stadium named “Wiggley Field,” will keep adults entertained as well. Young readers will be able to predict the dilemma Groundhog is creating as he promises all of his friends different things, and they are likely to comment on his missteps. While the story may not be as profound as some tales of friendship, it fills a gap where Groundhog Day titles are lacking, and is enjoyable enough for adults and young readers alike to appreciate. VERDICT A nicely illustrated, satisfactory story that meets a need for Groundhog Day titles.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/blockquote\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - - - ENTER DOWNLOADABLES BELOW - - - - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eDownloadables\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0750\/0101\/files\/groundhogs-dilemma-cvr.jpg?15825706328736022525\" style=\"display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"btn-wrapper\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0750\/0101\/files\/groundhogs-dilemma-hires.zip?4172121099732422033\" class=\"product-btn\"\u003eDownload the Cover\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"btn-wrapper\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0750\/0101\/files\/groundhogs-dilemma-activity-guide.pdf?14250642777254555922\" class=\"product-btn\"\u003eDownload the Activity Kit\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - - - - ENTER DETAILS BELOW - - - - - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eDetails\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eHardcover\u003c\/b\u003e \u003cbr\u003eISBN: 978-1-58089-600-9\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eE-book\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003eISBN: 978-1-60734-903-7 EPUB\u003cbr\u003eISBN: 978-1-60734-904-4 PDF\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAges: 3-7\u003cbr\u003ePage count: 32\u003cbr\u003e11 x 8 \u003csup\u003e1\u003c\/sup\u003e\/\u003csub\u003e2\u003c\/sub\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eCorrelated to Common Core State Standards:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003eEnglish Language Arts-Literacy. Reading Literature. Grade K. Standards 1-7, 10\u003cbr\u003eEnglish Language Arts-Literacy. Reading Literature. Grade 1. Standards 1-4, 6, 7, 10\u003c\/p\u003e\n[\/TABS]"}