Axle Annie/Substitute Groundhog

Wondering why an armadillo is in the picture? It's because an armadillo becomes the "substitute groundhog" in this delightful and beautifully illustrated book by Pat Miller and Kathi Ember. Groundhog is too sick to be able to fulfill his February 2nd duties and advertises for a substitute. Various "local" animals audition for the part such as a mole, an eagle, a rabbit and a squirrel but only a visiting Texas armadillo can do the job properly.

I chose the Axle Annie book to read today because as you can see it is about a school bus!! That makes it a very timely story considering how our local school bus drivers have had a very tough time this winter. Our local schools were again closed yesterday because of dangerous driving conditions and had another late start today. Axle Annie, however, is one devoted bus driver much to the chagrin of a fellow bus driver. Snowy weather doesn't keep her from getting the kids on her route to school and as long as she can drive,the school DOESN'T CLOSE! So... how does Shifty Rhodes attempt to keep Annie from driving so that school WILL BE CLOSED!!? The story has a rather unexpected conclusion.