Punxsutawney Phyllis

by Susanna Leonard Hill, Jeffrey Ebbeler (Illustrator)

Phyllis can't convince Uncle Phil to get out of bed to make his prediction on Groundhog Day. When Uncle Phil realizes he has missed all the signs of an early spring, he knows it's time to retire and pass on the title of Punxsutawney Phil, Only this time, it's Punxsutawney Phyllis!

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Holiday, Storytime, Animals, Fiction, Juvenile

32 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 2005

About the author

Susanna is the New York Times Bestselling Author of MOON'S FIRST FRIENDS: ONE GIANT LEAP FOR FRIENDSHIP, and the award-winning author of over 25 more books for children, including PUNXSUTAWNEY PHYLLIS, CAN'T SLEEP WITHOUT SHEEP, and the popular WHEN YOUR LION NEEDS A BATH series. Her books have been translated into French, Dutch, German, Turkish, Japanese, and Chinese. Susanna lives in New York's Mid-Hudson Valley with her children and her two rescue dogs. She loves chocolate, animals, and being outdoors.Please visit her website at www.susannahill.com and "Like" Susanna Leonard Hill on Face Book!

Reviews

[Calista · Rating 5 out of 5]

Girl Power! I loved this book. Punxsutawney Phil has always been a boy. Well, Phyllis is a different sort of groundhog. She loves getting up in the snow and splashing in puddles. Everyone tells her she is a girl and she can't be Punxsutawney Phil. Phyllis does not listen. She has faith in herself and she knows the signs of spring.

Spring rarely comes early and one day she gets up and she is sure it's going to this year. Her grandfather doesn't get up at all until forced to. He is the current Punxsutawney Phil. Phyllis has to convince him she is right and there will be an early spring and he agrees.

The kids enjoyed this book and it has a fabulous message. There are historical facts in the back like the groundhog is only right about 37-39 percent of the time. I want to make this a yearly tradition in our home. Great story.

[Donna]

PUNXSUTAWNEY PHYLLIS Who says a girl can't do a man's job? Not Phyllis! When it comes to predicting the weather, Phyllis has quite the knack, but tradition dictates only a fellow can do the job on Groundhog Day. Uncle "Punxsutawney" Phil says there's another 6 weeks left of winter while Phyllis says it's going to be an early spring. Who's right? Read this delightful book by Susanna Leonard Hill to find out. You'll be "blown away" like a February winter wind by the luminous illustrations by Jeffrey Ebbeler, too!

[Jeanine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not sure why this had struck a chord with my three boys, but everyone has been asking for this to be read far after Groundhog Day and I haven't gotten fed up with reading it multiple times a day. Not much more that you can ask for from a picture book.

[Francis S. Poesy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book and loved the character of Phyllis. The illustrations worked perfectly with the story and the story wasn't heavy handed in its theme of "sometimes the right man for the job is a woman". I've also read the follow-up "April Fool, Phyllis" and would love to see more holiday themed Phyllis books.

[Lynn Davidson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Phyllis wants to be the groundhog that predicts the arrival of spring, but only males have ever had the position. She knows it's going to be an early spring - she can feel it and smell it, but she can't get Uncle Phil to get out of bed so he will believe her. She wants to show that girls can do it too.
This is a cute story that children will enjoy.

[Kimberly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Meet Phyllis. A groundhog who is definitely unique and headstrong. She is unlike most groundhogs because she loves to be outdoors. She enjoys playing in the rain, walking in mud, wading in icy water and eating berries on warm days. She also has a big dream. She wants to grow up and one day be the next, famous Punxsutawney Phil. Her family gets a good laugh over this and keeps reminding her that Phil is a boy and has never been a girl. Her love for the outdoors comes in handy and Phyllis shocks everyone when she successfully predicts the early signs of Spring. She even predicts it better than her old Uncle Phil who quickly realizes that Phyllis would be the best replacement for him. At the end of the book, he announces that the rules are changing and his successor will go to the person best suited for the job - Punxsutawney Phyllis! I love this book and I love the gentle message that a girl can be and do anything that she has a passion and true talent for! This story is long, especially for a toddler, but the playful text and fun illustrations held my daughter's attention until the very end.

[Dolly · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a fun story of Groundhog girl power, when a young female groundhog notices the coming signs of spring before the current "Punxsutawney Phil" or any of his designated successors do. Despite the insistence that Phyllis couldn't possibly be correct about her forecast or capable of doing the job, in the end she proves that she's up for the challenge and perfect for the title.

We really enjoyed reading this story and we also enjoyed learning more about the history of Groundhog Day from the information provided at the end of the book, detailing the cultural and seasonal reasons behind the celebration. We don't usually find too many books about this holiday at the library, and this is one of our favorites.

[Terry]

My boys liked this book, but we didn't read it a lot.

Parent 1: There is so much to love about this book. The illustrations are fun, and the author has packed the story with lots of great information. Phyllis is both adorable and a wonderful character. She is smart (she studied the weather), persistent, respectful, and cute.

What did parent #2 think? Read the review.

[Megan Paulis de Rangel · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading this book to my class. The students really seemed to enjoy the illustrations and I liked how it could be used in a social studies context as well. In the book the little girl groundhog wants to be the main groundhog of Groundhog day but she is teased because "girls can't be the main groundhog". I think this provides for a good read on gender roles. The book can also be used to talk about seasons, hibernation, and Groundhog day.

[Phyllis · Rating 4 out of 5]

I originally bought this to read to my fancy niece when she visits for obvious reasons. Punxsutawney Phyllis is the story of a little groundhog who dreams of filling her famous Uncle Phil's shoes when he retires, but is told that she can't do the job because she is a girl. Pashaw!

This evening however . . . I will read to my daughter!

[Jackie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Uncle Phil may be getting a little too old to predict the weather. But, who will take over? Maybe Phil, Jr.? Maybe Pete? No, they didn't see the signs. Only one person saw them! Phyllis! But, Punxsutanwney Phil has always been a fellow! Maybe it's time for rules to be broken!

Used for "It's Groundhog Day!" Story Time: February, 2012.

[Heidi-Marie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very cute book with adorable pictures. I liked the characters, too. There's a bit of history about Groundhog Day at the end. I've always had a thing for Groundhog Day, and I think it goes back to when my brother played the BEST Groundhog in his 2nd grade play.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Story not only about Groundhog Day & Punxsutawney Phil, but how girls can fill a role that has been predominantly held by boys. Appealing illustrations and information about the holiday and Phil at the back of the book. Recommend.

[Amber Adams]

This book tells the story of our famous groundhog, Punxsutawney Phil, who is hibernating and doesn't want to come out for Groundhog's Day. I would use this book in my class to teach about Groundhog's Day.

[Partridge Public]

Hill, Susanna K-1st

[Eugenia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Phyllis is cute and brown.

[Tamara the Librarian · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great story about a girl hedgehog getting to take over Ground Hog Day ritual when her uncle has to retire b/c she is most qualified.

[Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Phyllis loves the outdoors. Groundhog is getting older and names Phyllis as the new official groundhog even though she is a girl. Some rules can be broken.

[Chanel · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was re named Wake Up, Ground Hog! Very good book about ground hogs and what that's the significance of Ground Hog Day with the perfect hint of girl power.

[Sandybear76]

a great story for Groundhog Day. The first grade teacher usually reads this one to her class but she let me read it today. Girl power.

[Leigh · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is DARLING! My kids love it! Phyllis is such a fun, spunky character & I love that she doesn't go with the norm. She's willing to be herself. So much fun!

[Jodie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute story to use for Groundhog Day. It also incorporates the idea that the groundhog does not need to be a boy to do the job.

[M. · Rating 5 out of 5]

A cute story about Groundhog Day and girl who is determined not to hide in a burrow and wait for spring.

[Relyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun for Groundhog Day at school.

[Tiffanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I Loved this empowering story of a dreamer who used her God given skills to become the next Punxsutawney Phil even though she's told she can't because she's a girl! Go, Phyllis!

[Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed the messages that girls can do anything boys can do AND that being young doesn't mean you are incapable of accomplishing some things that adults can do.

[Meghan · Rating 4 out of 5]

went over well for elementary age group at Latchkey. I love the story, but it's too wordy for a younger group. beautiful pictures.

[Lynne Marie · Rating 4 out of 5]

An especially fun read for today, Groundhog's Day.

[Nikki · Rating 4 out of 5]

We read this on groundhogs day and my daughter loved it. It was refreshing to see a children's book where the girl can do a job that men generally do. Very empowering for little girls.

[Katie Casey · Rating 4 out of 5]

A cute story about how a GIRL groundhog became the new "Punxsutawney Phyllis" despite her family not always believing in her.