Phil's Big Day

Everyone is looking forward to Punxsatawney Phil's big day. . . everyone except Phil.

The eve of Groundhog Day has arrived and sleep won't come. His relatives' words keep echoing in his head: It's a family tradition! You'll make us so proud! We're all counting on you, you, you! Pancakes normally calm Phil down, but partway through the batch his little sister Marla turns up in the kitchen. Thrilled about his big day, she insists on helping him rehearse and even shares a poem to help him remember everything. Yet when the big, scary day finally comes, panic takes hold and his mind goes blank. What was it Marla told him? Does spotting your shadow mean spring arrives early? Or is it the other way around? Every one of his fears begins to come true, until a bright idea rescues the moment.

In her picture book Phil's Big Day, Liza Woodruff speaks gently and reassuringly to the familiar yet overwhelming feelings anxiety stirs up, offering coping strategies that work for adults and children alike. Anyone who finds it hard to enjoy themselves when fear takes over will see themselves in Phil's restless mind and feel the joy of watching him meet his challenges with a caring sister beside him. Age 4-8 years.