School Library Journal Review
PreS-Gr 2-A Valentine's Day party gives five friends an opportunity to learn about friendship and show each other how much they care. It's just two weeks until Valentine's Day and Moose is planning a big party for all his friends. But when he realizes that Groundhog's Day is in the morning, Moose begins to worry that if Groundhog sees his shadow he'll go back into his burrow for six weeks and miss the gathering. Together Moose and his friends try to find a way to prevent Groundhog from seeing his shadow so that he'll stay above ground and celebrate Valentine's Day with them. The front cover is filled with hearts, pinks, and reds, but within the spreads are composed of neutral and cozy textured hues with many interesting shadows. The softly blended lines add depth and warmth to the fur and quills of the charming animal characters. Groundhog looks appropriately stuffy in his cap, cane, and tweed coat. VERDICT This versatile book is a great choice for storytime or one-on-one enjoyment and the messages of friendship and understanding differences are suitable for year-round enjoyment. A great addition to most collections.-Laken Hottle, Providence Community Library © Copyright 2017. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Publisher's Weekly Review
February holidays collide in this warm and funny story: Moose is planning a Valentine's Day party and insists that "Everyone has to come." But if Groundhog sees his shadow the next day, "he'll go back into his hole for six more weeks." As Moose, Bunny, Porcupine, and Squirrel debate how to keep Groundhog from seeing his shadow, dawn breaks and Groundhog ventures outside. Denise's digital illustrations have the lushness of oil paintings, and his image of Groundhog staring at his shadow in shock, his robe tied tight and mug of coffee dropped on the fieldstone walkway, is a showstopper. The revelation that Groundhog is scared of shadows sends the story in a new direction (and sets off more bickering). Pace nimbly balances the rewards of trying new things against the necessity of compromise. Ages 3-5. Author's agent: Linda Pratt, Wernick & Pratt. Illustrator's agent: Emily van Beek, Folio Literary Management. (Dec.) © Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.
