Secret of the First One Up

Before the groundhogs go to sleep for the winter, Lila's Uncle Wilbur hints that the first one to wake up and go outside is privy to a secret. That's enough incentive for Lila: she wants to know the secret! When February comes, Lila wakes up first and tries to rouse her uncle, who is usually the first one to go out. When he doesn't want to get up, Lila goes out instead. To her amazement she is greeted by all the animals in the forest, waiting to hear her prediction. Lila doesn't know anything about the shadow-seeing business, so they explain it to her. She doesn't see her shadow, and the animals rejoice that Spring is just around the corner. "That seems backwards to me!" Lila says. She is then joined by Uncle Wilbur, who agrees that the tradition seems backwards. The two also agree to keep the secret of being the first one up. This marvelous story is accompanied by beautiful illustrations worthy of Beatrix Potter or Garth Williams. All the animals are furry and fuzzy and almost life-like. And major kudos to Iris Hiskey Arno, who is the only children's storyteller courageous enough to say that the traditional prediction-by-shadow doesn't make sense. An author's note on the final page explains the history of the Groundhog Day ritual.