Secret Of The First One Up

Kindergarten-Grade 2-When Lila, a young groundhog, objects to going to sleep for the winter, Uncle Wilbur tells her to rest so that she can try to be the first one to wake up in the spring and discover a big secret. She is indeed the first groundhog to awaken and quickly runs up the tunnel and outdoors, where she is greeted by all of the animals that do not hibernate and learns from them how important her shadow is. Lovely, warm illustrations, created with gouache, colored pencils, and acrylics, depict the groundhog household as well as a variety of winter animals. A short note on Groundhog Day is appended. This book can be used for holiday celebrations or as an addition to a storytime or unit on hibernation. ―-SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL

Iris Hiskey Arno began her career as a classical singer. She toured the US, Canada, and Europe singing opera, medieval, and contemporary music. When she became a mom, she took off her traveling shoes and started writing children's books. She also combined her interest in music with her interest in children's literature and wrote several musicals for children to perform. Iris lives with her family just outside New York City in a house with a rainbow-colored porch.

Renée Graef received her Bachelor's Degree in Art from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. She has illustrated more than 40 children's books, including the Laura Ingalls Wilder series for Harper Collins, and the "Kirsten" books and paper dolls from the American Girl Collection for Pleasant Company. Renée is married with two children and lives in Wisconsin.