Children know about Santa Claus and the Easter Bunny. But do they know the story of Groundhog Day? Peter J. Welling’s entrancing new children’s book, Andrew McGroundhog and His Shady Shadow, hopes to impart this legendary celebration to the young and young at heart of today.
The book starts with stories about Thane Andrew McGroundhog’s activities. He wears a tartan kilt, he eats haggis, he hikes and he fishes. The colorful, cartoon-like illustrations feature wonderful pictures of the Loch Ness Monster, the signs for the High Road and the Low Road, Hadrian’s Heights and more Scottish themes. One day he meets his shadow and is surprised that the shadow is unhappy with him. As he learns why and how to deal with it, the story of the groundhog’s prediction of the timing of the winter’s transformation into spring emerges. The book even includes a “Scottish” word glossary.
The book is cute and fun just on the face of it. More than that, though, it offers the opportunity for children to begin to learn about the popular images of Scotland and the holiday we celebrate annually on February 2.
Peter J. Welling will be at Bookmamas on Saturday, January 31 at 2:00 p.m. to read his story. Signature at Irvington will serve Groundhog Cookies and Tea. Bookmamas is located at 9 S. Johnson Avenue (1/2 block east of Ritter and 1/2 block south of Washington). Reservations are not required, but can be made by e-mailing info@bookmamas.com. The event is free. Books will be available for purchase. The author will be glad to personalize and sign any book purchased that day.
