Will Spring Be Early? or Will Spring Be Late?

by Crockett Johnson

Despite the chilly weather, Groundhog decides that spring is here when he discovers a red flower sticking up through the snow

Genres: Picture Books, Animals, Childrens, Fiction, Holiday, Fantasy, Humor

48 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1990

About the author

Crockett Johnson was the pen name of the American cartoonist and children's book illustrator David Johnson Leisk. He is best known for the comic strip Barnaby (1942–1952) and the Harold series of books beginning with Harold and the Purple Crayon. [From Wikipedia.]

Reviews

[Phillip Parker · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fun children's book about some fuzzy thinking animals for a cold February day, by the author of the Harold books. Will definitely be sharing with my grandchildren

[Katie Cat Books · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun, happy book about Groundhog's day.

Story: On February 2nd, the groundhog wakes up. Depending on whether or not he sees his shadow, he will know whether spring will be early or if there will be a long winter. We meet many forest creatures in this book, including a grumpy pig, and a fun twist at the end makes this book a worthy read.

PACE: This book is long at 48 pages but there is not much text, the font is large, and the pictures take up most of the page. Could easily be read in a short time or in a group.

Language: The language is very easy and the basic pictures with minimal background detail will allow young readers to focus and learn any new words with ease.

Frame: This book is in black and white with one exception of a bit of red on a couple of pages, essential to the plot. The entire book is set in the forest and all of the animals can talk to one another. This book was written in 1959.

Themes: Groundhog's day, spring, winter, forest animals, humor

A fun book to read over and over. Children and adults will both enjoy.

[Becky B · Rating 4 out of 5]

Groundhog peeps out of his hole to make his yearly prediction about the arrival of spring. He doesn't see his shadow so he decides spring will be early, but even groundhog is surprised to see a flower already in bloom. He starts announcing to all the animals that spring will not only be early, it is already here. Grumpy Pig has a different prediction to make, however.

A humorous Groundhog Day tale that has aged well.

[Jason · Rating 4 out of 5]

There's definitely some social commentary going on here, but I can't exactly suss it out.

[Alice Ball · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love Crockett Johnson. His illustrations are clean and clear. He uses compelling vocabulary and well placed adjectives. And his story is delightful. A great pick for a Groundhog Day read aloud.

[Suzanne Lorraine Kunz Williams · Rating 1 out of 5]

I didn't like this book because it was broken. The pig who has the smarts enough to know what season it is by the weather, and tells the other animals something that they don't want to hear, is blamed for the weather being bad. And the ground hog who doesn't really know anything, but just wants to please others, is seen as the expert. But this book would spark some good discussion as parents talk about the concepts of not blaming the messenger, or being wary of people telling them what they want to hear. The book can also spark a discussion on how do we know what season it is.

[Katie Fitzgerald · Rating 2 out of 5]

I've read this twice and I don't like the ending. The artwork is great, but the plot is sort of thin, especially for how long the story is. My three-year-old seems to enjoy looking at the pictures, but the story has not made any particular impression on either of us.

[Molly · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is the story of a groundhog on Groundhog Day who is searching for signs of spring. While it has great pictures and the ending is funny, it is a bit boring and long. It is not one I would use in storytime again.

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great little book about the groundhog and the question, "Will spring be early? or will spring be late?" Great to read in February!!

[Rima Halig · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book for Groundhog's day. Really cute pictures!

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Holiday: Groundhog Day

[Min · Rating 5 out of 5]

The rarest of holiday books, a Groundhog's Day book as a fable!
One groundhog tries to get it right...

[Marsha · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a children’s book. The illustrations, the hyper chatter of the creatures and the subject matter make it clear that’s what it is.

And yet…

Groundhog’s delight over seeing a flower blooming out of season makes him giddy with excitement. He doesn’t investigate or look further into the flower’s inappropriate appearance in deep snow. He merely runs about telling about this amazing sight to everybody in the vicinity. It takes Pig’s probing, which lasts merely a minute or two, to reveal the true nature of the flower and then make a far more accurate prediction about the weather. Do the other animals thank Pig for setting them straight? No. They realize the Emperor has no clothes on but their hostility turns towards the one level-headed creature who revealed the mistake not the idiot who led them astray.

This book therefore becomes a stark look at how misinformation gets spread, how critical thinking is lacking and how resentment over learning the truth can turn into a witch hunt. Lies and deception spread easily; truth is a harder subject. It takes digging, dedication, devotion to learning and intelligence and the willingness to concede when you’re wrong without getting bent out of shape over it. What a profound message to find in a gaily colored children’s story.

[Ariel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hey friends! I just read this super cute book called "Groundhog's Spring Surprise," and it's all about Groundhog and the weather!

So, even though it's still kinda cold outside, guess what? Groundhog thinks it's spring! He finds this little red flower poking through the snow, and he's like, "Yep, spring is here!"

I loved how Groundhog is so sure about it, even though it's chilly. It's like he's a little weather expert. And you know what's the best part? He's so excited about spring that he wants to share the news with all his friends!

The pictures in the book are super colorful and happy. I could see Groundhog and the cute flower, and it made me feel all warm and fuzzy inside. It's like a happy dance in a book!

If you like cute animals, flowers, and feeling happy, you should totally read "Groundhog's Spring Surprise." It's a short and sweet story that will make you smile and maybe even want to go look for signs of spring outside! 🌷🌞📚

[John]

Well, he thinks Spring will be early, really, but there was just a little trick with the flower: it isn't real, and pig finds out because he CHOMP CHOMP CHOMPs. And what do I think about this book? Pretty good. If you know someone who likes groundhogs or fake flowers, and if you don't, just don't check it out.
AND THANK YOU!

[Sean Harding · Rating 4 out of 5]

Americans have this weird thing with Groundhogs and will Spring be early or late, this is the tale from the Groundhog's perspective, and well to summarise if you are getting your weather forecasts from a groundhog then whatever happens you just have to wear the consequences because you is daft!
A good tale well told, but still quite daft!

[Cheryl · Rating 3 out of 5]

Kinda funny, I guess. Kinda philosphical/political/satirical, too, if you want it to be. But I don't know of any other book to read to preschool children on Groundhog's Day, so maybe you need this?

[Holli Schoch · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book about the coming of seasons

[Shannon Bradbury · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun little read about Groundhogs day from an animals viewpoint. Will he see his shadow or will he not?? Really enjoyed reading this with my elementary student.

[Sydney Beth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cute, funny and innocent.

[Liz Todd · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute!

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Original copyright, 1959, wowzer! But such a cute book, especially for fans of Harold and The Purple Crayon !
A truck comes through the snow and emblazoned on its side is "Artificial Flower Co. Inc." and it drops a fake flower as it whizzes by. For some reason, this quirky detail (& plot point actually) put me into a fit of giggles. Groundhog thinks spring will be early since he does not see his shadow. This flower is proof that spring has arrived already! Pig is the grumpy character who reveals that the flower is not alive. He also tells the animals that it is about to snow. When the snow comes pelleting down, naturally the animals blame Pig rather than Groundhog for the unexpected winter weather!

[Diane · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute little story about how the groundhog became the one to make the prediction about spring.

[Paige Martin]

The book begins by a groundhog coming out of his hole to predict spring. He does not see his shadow so he goes to tell the rest of the animals and comes across a flower that he thinks is growing but it really came out of a truck that drove down the road beside him. He gets very excited and starts to tell the other animals spring is here now. When he tells the grumpy pig what he predicts the pig does not believe him. The rest of the animals go to see the flower and dance in a circle. The pig comes to see it and shows them it is a plastic flower and destroys it. It then snows and all the animals are cold and they blame the pig and go back to their homes.
I thought this was a cute book with great illustrations. The story would be easy for a younger classroom to read but older elementary students could also enjoy and learn from this book.
I would use this book to explain seasons changing and bring in aspects of Groundhog Day.