Book Review: 'Groundhog Stays Up Late' by Margery Cuyler

✰✰✰✰½ Groundhog loves to run and play with all his forest animal friends. He's just not the type to hibernate, and sleeping all winter is boring. After all, who has time for hibernating when there are so many fun things to do? Groundhog would rather play hide-and-seek than prepare for winter. Even when winter arrives, he would rather be building a snowman than taking a long winter nap.

Staying up is great except for being alone. All the other forest animals have burrowed into their warm homes until spring. All alone and hungry, Groundhog cooks up a plan to celebrate an early spring, but will his friends play along?

The Bottom Line: There aren't too many books out there about Groundhog Day, but this one is a winner. In this charming book, Groundhog learns about the consequences of breaking the rules. Luckily, his friends are there to teach him the error of his ways. Groundhog Stays Up Late is highly recommended for tots ages 3 - 5. Jean Cassels used gouache to beautifully illustrate Groundhog's winter adventure. Parents will enjoy reading this to kids at bedtime. Also, it would make a great book for story hour at school or at the library. 

Details: Grounghog Stays Up Late is written by Margery Cuyler and illustrated by  Jean Cassels. Hardcover picture book published by Walker & Company in 2005. 32 p. ISBN: 0-8027-8940-4