A Greyhound A Groundhog – Emily Jenkins, illustrated by Chris Appelhans, Schwartz & Wade Books, (9780553498059), 2017
Format: Hardcover
Rating: 1- 5 (5 is excellent or a Starred review) 5
Genre: Picture Book
What did you like about the book? In a perfect blend of text and illustration the reader is buoyed along in this vibrant and exuberant tale of a greyhound and a groundhog at play together. As the two animals meet and begin to chase, the text swirls around the watercolor illustrations so that both the words and the pictures begin to blur. “Around and around and around and around. The ground and a hog and some grey and a dog. A round hound, a grey dog, a round little hound dog. A greyhog, a ground dog, a hog little hound dog.” This is a story that needs to be read aloud, and it is a tongue-twisting delight. The roly poly brown groundhog and the elegant grey dog frolic across the pages. By the last page the two lie exhausted and panting. This is a perfect read aloud that would also suit beginning readers.
Anything you didn’t like about it? No
To whom would you recommend this book? This is a story that will be enjoyed by most readers. Add it to a groundhog story time for a change from the usual Groundhog’s Day story. Children who love dogs will be asking for a greyhound.
Who should buy this book? Public libraries and elementary school libraries
Where would you shelve it? Picture Books
Should we (librarians/readers) put this at the top of our “to read” piles? Yes
Reviewer’s Name, Library (or school), City: Catherine Coyne, Mansfield Public Library, Mansfield, MA
Date of review: 1/24/17
Youth Services Book Review 
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