Groundhog Day is February 2, 2012
Movie "Groundhog Day" starring Bill Murray (scene)
Groundhogs are small furry animals also called woodchucks. Groundhogs grow to be arond 20 inches and weigh about 9 pounds and live in burrows. A groundhogs life-span is around 4-6 years and when they reproduce they have up to about five of what you would call pups or kits that are four inches long and weigh about one ounce.
In Europe in the 1600's they starting using hedgehogs to tell what the weather would be. In America, Grounhog Day was started in 1887 by a congressman and an editor in Pennsylvania. The little town of Punxstutawney became the "Weather Capital of the World".
Folk Lore says that Feburary 2nd can predict when spring will come. Old stories say that if a groundhog sees its shadow on this date, there will be about six more weeks of winter. Those stories also say that if a groundhog doesn't see its shadow , spring will come early. When will winter end? When will spring begin? On Groundhog Day, you might find out the answers. In a little town called Punxsutawawney, Pennsylvnania there is a groundhog named Punxsrtawney Phil. People come from miles around to Gobbler's Hill to wait for Phil to come out of his hole. People celebrate this day with festivites, apparel, contest, and it is nationally televised. You can join the club. I will list some books, web sites, and I have included a scene from the movie "Groundhog Day" on my blog. I hope you celebrate and I do hope that the groundhog does NOT see his shadow. I am ready for spring!!!!
Fun sites:
Books:
Groundhog Day by Michelle Aki Becker
Groundhogs Woodchuccks, Marmots, and Whistle Pigs by Adele D. Richarson
Brownie Groundhog and the Febuary Fox by Susan Blackaby Ilustrated by Carmen Segovia
Groundhog Weather School by Joan Holub Illustrated by Kristin Sorra
Great Groundhogs! by Karen Gray Ruelle
Groundhog Day by Gail Gibbons
2012 the groundhog did see his shadow so, it is said, six more weeks of winter!
