Nina Schuyler | The Children’s Book Review | January 12, 2013
Brownie Groundhog and the Wintry Surprise
Written by Susan Blackaby
Illustrated by Carmen Segovia
Age Range: 3 and up
Grade Level: Preschool and up
Hardcover: 32 pages
Publisher: Sterling Children’s Books (October 1, 2013)
What to expect: Animals, Winter, Humor, Friendship, Kindness
If you’re someone who likes the holiday feeling to linger, who doesn’t take down their tree until the last pine needle has dropped, here’s a whimsical, wonderful picture book to add to the spirit, Brownie Groundhog and the Wintry Surprise, by Susan Blackaby.
I always applaud a writer who manages to create something that is appealing, not only to a child, but also an adult, who must read a children’s book, oh, one-hundred times. Blackaby inserts enough humor, mostly through dialogue and pacing, to keep the adult reader entertained. Brownie Groundhog and fox, along with a new friend, Bunny, are having a December picnic.
The fox picked crumbs out of his fur.
“Perfect picnic, Brownie,” he said. “What’s next?”
Brownie yawned. “Naptime.” She wound her scarf around her neck. “I’m going home to sleep until spring.”
Fox is worried–what is he going to do all winter long without his dear friend?
“You’ll be fine,” said Brownie. Each word puffed out of her mouth on a tiny cloud. “You can do wintry things.” Brownie packed up her basket. “Just don’t wake me up. And don’t eat Bunny. She’s company.”
Soon fox and Bunny are sneaking into Groundhog’s home, and taking things, so they have wintry things to do. The pictures are colorful and engaging and the animals are full of expression. The humorous tone is joined with kindness, fox-like mischief and deep friendship. I’ve read it now at least twenty times, and am happy to read it another sixty times.
Add these books to your collection: Brownie Groundhog and the Wintry Surprise
If you like the sound of Brownie Groundhog and the Wintry Surprise, take a look at our “Winter Books: Snow, Hibernation, and More” book list, which includes Brownie Groundhog and the February Fox.