Geoffrey Groundhog Predicts the Weather

As if a Bill Murray movie wasn't enough, the Groundhog Day tradition gets additional play in the controlled mayhem of this picture book. Geoffrey Groundhog awakens one February 2nd and applies his mother's teachings to predict when spring will arrive. Reported in the local newspaper, his forecast proves correct, and all the animals of Mooseflats County are duly impressed. The following year, pigs, deer, and rabbits surround Geoffrey's burrow-but so many TV lights flash in Geoffrey's eyes that he can't tell whether he has seen his shadow or not. The media madness mounts-and subsides only after Geoffrey calls on his mother for expert counsel. Koscielniak (Bear and Bunny Grow Tomatoes) tones down the frenzy of activity with a subdued palette of olive greens, browns and other wintry hues. At the same time he keeps the tone light, integrating into his narrative humorous newspaper headlines (``Was There a Shadow? Weather Picture Muddled'') and lacing his antic ink-and-watercolor illustrations with satisfyingly silly scenery, like a matronly pig balancing a tray of teacups at the annual Spring Tea. Ages 4-8. (Sept.)