I find explaining most topics to my children can usually be made easier with books. In this instance, a weird and ridiculous holiday, Groundhog Day is described in these children’s picture books usually through funny stories. Often there are facts about the holiday in the back of the books that help further the understanding as well. Here are the children’s books about Groundhog Day that we’ve enjoyed.

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Groundhog Gets It Wrong

My kids love Groundhog Gets It Wrong! It’s time for a new groundhog to take over predicting spring. Groundhog is very confident in his abilities because of how great his relatives were at the job in the pas. He doesn’t prepare for the task and gets the prediction wrong. Now everyone is expecting spring and the community plans fun springtime activities but there is still snow on the ground.

Groundhog is ashamed and has to leave his career. He tries other jobs but is not successful at them. Eventually, Groundhog studies meterology and returns to his job more educated. In the back of the book the history of the holiday is given.

The Night Before Groundhog Day

We love all the books in this series. Following the rhythm and rhyme of The Night Before Christmas, in this book the story mentions the groundhog waking up to forecast the weather. At school the kids make groundhog crafts. At night they have visions of groundhogs dancing. Everyone waits eagerly for the prediction. The Night Before Groundhog Day is cute and a simple way to introduce the holiday.

Groundhog Day

Gail Gibbons does it again in the book Groundhog Day, stating facts and history about the holiday while making it easy for children to understand. The book then goes on to explain in detail more about groundhogs themselves. Where groundhogs are found, what they eat, their sounds, and their babies are all facts covered in the book.

Groundhog’s Day Off

In Groundhog’s Day Off, Groundhog is sick and tired of people using him only for predicting the weather. He wishes someone would finally ask him a question about himself. He decides to take a vacation and leaves a note that they should find someone else. Auditions are held but no one is as good as Groundhog. The mayor goes on the news exclaiming how special Groundhog is. When Groundhog hears this he hurries back and finally feels appreciated.

Groundhug Day

Groundhug Day is not my favorite book for explaining the holiday because it doesn’t really do that but it does cover shadows more if you want to do an accompanying preschool shadow activity.

Moose wants to throw a Valentine’s Day party but doesn’t want Groundhog to miss it. His friends try to think of ways to stop Groundhog from seeing his shadow but it’s too late. They realize Groundhog is scared of his shadow and they spend the whole day showing Groundhog all the cool things you can do with shadows. In the end, he still goes back home because it’s cold out.