As a lifelong Pennsylvanian, I’ve lived through some long, harsh winters. The worst of it comes in January and February when it’s cold and gray, and you’re looking for some indication of upcoming spring. Groundhog Day is that little sliver of hope in the dead of winter when you’re Vitamin D deprived and tired of shoveling out your driveway each morning and slipping on ice in the grocery store parking lot.
Author Karen Patricia Nespoli has written an adorable children’s book about Groundhog Day, Gertie Saves the Day, about a groundhog who, like me, wishes for an early spring and warm weather. This story is also about determination, working hard, and stepping up to be the bigger person when call upon to save the day. Below is my review of Gertie Saves the Day along with an interview with Nespoli about her book.
Gertie Saves the Day plot summary
Gertie is a young groundhog who loves warm weather. One day in school, she learns that her class is going to participate in a competition to determine which groundhog will be selected to climb out of their burrow and predict the coming spring. Desperate to be in the spotlight and determined to not see her shadow when the time comes, Gertie hopes to be picked as the featured groundhog. However, her tall, athletic classmate, Jeff, discourages her for being too short. Gertie gives it her all during the competition. But is her determination enough to win the coveted role as this year’s famous groundhog?
The story
Gertie Saves the Day reimagines our tiny holiday as Christmas for groundhogs, adding extra special significance to get the readers onboard as an important event. Gertie’s classmates tend to see the holiday from a more commercialized point of view while Gertie sees it as an opportunity to have an early spring.
The competition to determine who will be the Groundhog’s Day groundhog is a set of physical tests, most of which really don’t have anything to do with the actual act of burrowing out of a hole and inspecting your shadow. Gertie is teased by her classmate, Jeff, for being short. However, she easily completes her tasks, even the basketball toss.
It’s Gertie’s determination that gets her through the challenges over her physicality. And ultimately, it’s her confidence in herself along with her desire to pull off a successful Groundhog Day at all costs that lead Gertie to do the right thing, step up, and save the day when she sees that the festivities are threatened by a bout of stage fright.
The characters
Gertie is a cute and unassuming hero. She’s a bit of a worry wart who takes the holiday very seriously along with her desire to be in the spotlight. We’ve all been discouraged from pursuing our passions at one time or another. And it can be easy to listen to that discouragement and give up on it, especially from our peers. But Gertie ignores that doubt and works hard to overcome her physical limitations.
Her classmate Jeff is the perfect example of someone who will talk a big game but can’t always deliver when put to the test. His confidence is purely external, and his true colors come out to show readers that sometimes those act the most sure of themselves are often the least confident of all. It’s a humbling lesson that balances confidence with humbleness. What’s more inspiring is the idea that Gertie comes to Jeff’s rescue despite the teasing. She is the bigger person and in doing so, she not only earns Jeff’s respect, but she rights his wrongs and does so for the good of the celebration as a whole.
The illustrations and layout
Gertie Saves the Day is illustrated by Daniela Massironi. The images are simple and colorful, and her characters are expressive and playful. Being set in the winter, Massironi makes use of the white landscape while filling the page with seasonally-appropriate scenery and chunky background objects that brighten up that clean landscape. I love the winter accessories that she adds to the groundhogs’ attire, giving them each a unique style and winter-themed apparel.
The text on each page is a simple, easy to read, black script that is easy to read against the pastel backgrounds of the illustrations. There are several sentences to a page, and a lot of the story is told through dialogue which lets the characters tell the story while utilizing a third person narration to fill in the blanks.
My recommendation
Gertie Saves the Day is a charming holiday book perfect for any winter day meant to encourage young readers to work hard, follow your dreams, and do the right thing. The stakes are low, but there are still good life lessons to be taken from its events. I like that things don’t work out as perfectly planned, but it still wraps up in a messier, more unexpected way, just as in real life.
An interview with Karen Patricia Nespoli
Author links (links will open in a new tab)
Genre: picture book
How did you come up with the idea for Gertie Saves the Day?
I have always loved Groundhog Day. I always found it fascinating that animals were able to indicate to farmers whether or not they should begin planting the spring crops. It bothered me that only male groundhogs were selected to celebrate Groundhog Day. I began to think of what it might be like to have a female groundhog celebrate this special day. That is when I started writing the story.
What is the most challenging part about writing a picture book? The most fun?
The most challenging part about writing this book was making decisions about the book. As a self-published author I needed to learn a great deal and coordinate many aspects of the project. I learned a great deal about writing, editing, publishing and marketing.
The most fun for me was working with my illustrator. I knew what I was looking for when I selected my illustrator. Her portfolio was beautiful. I loved the animals she created. We both enjoyed developing each of the characters.
What is your relationship with Groundhog Day? Have you ever been to Punxsutawney for the festivities?
As I child I would sit by the television waiting to see if the groundhog saw his shadow or not. Winters seemed endless to me as a child. I secretly hoped for early spring! No, I have never been to Punxsutawney, PA for the celebration. Maybe one day!
The illustrations are so pretty and really serve the story well. How closely did you work with the illustrator to marry the words and pictures?
I think it was to my advantage to be able to select my illustrator. I looked through many beautiful portfolios. I was impressed with Daniela’s animal characters, especially their facial expressions. Daniela is an excellent illustrator and very professional. She submitted several illustrations, and I was able to select and make changes along the way.
Competition is a big theme in the book. What message about competition do you want readers to take away from your story?
Healthy competition can be good for children. Competition can help children learn skills they will use throughout their lives. Gertie tried her best, she handled her disappointment and she used empathy to help Jeff. I want children to see that competition can be a fun learning experience.
Is Gertie based on a real person or inspired by anyone in particular?
Gertie is not based on a real person. She is a composite of children I have known over the years. Gertie and I have something in common. I am short too!
From the beginning, Jeff teases Gertie about her size even before they receive news of the competition. He then continues to talk a big game until he is put in his place.
Do you consider Jeff to be a villain? How do you deal with people like Jeff in your own life?
I see Jeff as more of a mischief-maker than a villain. Gertie understands Jeff ‘s teasing is his way of saying that he likes her as a friend.
As a child I would deal with Jeff in much the same way Gertie did in the story by ignoring his teasing and hope it will stop. As an adult I try to understand why the person is teasing and then I tell them to stop.
Gertie is small but determined and is able to hold her own in competition. What message do you have for those who feel limited physically about finding their strengths and overcoming obstacles?
We all have strengths and weaknesses. I have always been an advocate of trying your best. You might just surprise yourself and find you do have the strength to overcome obstacles.
Who do you most want to read this book?
I would love parents and teachers to share this book with children. Gertie Saves the Day was written for children in pre-k through third grade. Children will not only enjoy the story and be able to relate to the childhood themes, but children will learn facts about Groundhogs and Groundhog Day as well.
What’s next for you in your writing career?
I am currently writing several stories for children ages 5-8 that will be released in the spring. I also have a rough outline for a second book with Gertie and Jeff.
Buy it!
Buy a copy of Gertie Saves the Day here, and help support local bookstores! This is an affiliate link, and I will earn a commission on any sales.
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