Groundhog Secrets: Everything You Always Wanted to Know about Woodchucks (Stories of Groundhogs, Squirrels, and Chipmunks) Paperback – May 31, 2017

I thoroughly enjoyed this book about groundhogs and learned so much new information in the process. For example, I was unaware that groundhogs and woodchucks are the same. I didn't realize that groundhogs hibernate, nor could I imagine the intricacy of their tunnel passageways that can extend five feet below the ground. It's strange to think that groundhogs crave sodium and often get it by eating the snow plowed against the side of the road.The author's beautiful photographs and book design add another dimension to the work. Readers learn about the physical characteristics of the groundhog, their diet, their tunnels, mating practices, and communication. They belong to the class of marmots which live in the Northern Hemisphere. Snellings gives a brief account of the marmots related to the groundhog such as the black, squirrel, gray squirrel, red squirrel, and chipmunk.Doctors study the hibernation habits of the groundhog and hope to be able to use this information to help humans undergo surgery without anesthesia one day. Young readers will learn so much in this charming tale, narrated by Margot the Groundhog. I highly recommend this book for parents, teachers, and young animal lovers ages six through twelve.

I am thoroughly impressed with this book! I am a second grade teacher and the students in my class loved reading about animals and this book would be a perfect addition to my classroom library! The pictures are amazing with so many cute additions and the way this author brought the plot forward is so cute! I have to say that this book is probably better than any of the scholastic animal books that I have seen in a while! Kudos to this author!

Being that it is Groundhog Day, I thought I would learn a little bit about those cute little guys. This book was so informative! I had no idea that woodchucks, groundhogs, and whistle pigs (hilarious name by the way 😂) were the same thing. I love the real pictures and the cute little story that went along with the information. It was a quick read and my kids enjoyed seeing the cute little marmots.

The photographs are the stars! They are superb. The fact filled, narrative is entertaining and I learned stuff. I was fascinated to find out that each hair of the ground hog is three colors.

This book is full of interesting information that I didn't know about groundhogs. I like how the author writes in 1st person as if the groundhog is talking about herself, and her kind. The author goes on to talk about the groundhog family; including squirrels and chipmunks. The images are beautiful and very eye-catching for young and old. This book is probably better for upper elementary age to lower middle school students and could be a good reference book for a school report on groundhogs with all the facts.

The photographs alone are enough to make this book well worth the purchase! The pictures and information about groundhogs and other small critters are just fantastic! Very well done and highly recommended for teachers and parents alike!

I’ve been looking forward to this book ever since the first “Margot the Groundhog” story, and it was worth the wait! The pictures are cute and clever and really show all the details of how all the different animals look. Can’t wait to tell my grandkids there’s another Margot book, and I think my grandkids will love learning more about how groundhogs live—it really teaches them to respect nature.

I love this charming (and funny!) book. It’s packed with terrific close-up photos of woodchucks (otherwise known as groundhogs) and tidbits of fascinating information to help you appreciate them and their families. I’m definitely going to share it with a child in my life. -- Ruth H.