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(2)
K-3
In five vignettes that take place over the course of a day, Bob and Tom--a pair of not-too-bright, old-codger turkeys living on a small farm--encounter, discuss, and solve a series of ridiculous problems. What is the secret to buoyancy in the pond? "Suits that swim," of course: "Why do you think they're called swimming suits?" A fine addition to the literature of nitwittery.
Reviewer: Sarah Ellis
| Horn Book Magazine Issue:
July, 2017
(4)
4-6
With Brenda Z. Guiberson. Naturalist Hutto finds abandoned wild turkey eggs and raises the flock, ever-mindful of his responsibility to keep the turkeys both safe and wild. For two years Joe is "mother," learning of turkeys' intelligence and curiosity, mourning when some die, and adjusting when they become independent. A third-person narrative feels at odds with the personal, intimate true story. Hutto's sketches and photos are included. Bib., glos., ind.
(4)
1-3
Animal All-Stars series.
Illustrated by
Josh Alves.
In these brief chapter books, Bobby Longbeak, a turkey who's the leading wide receiver for his football team, learns to tame his wild streak (Wild Receiver); and hedgehog Spikelle Jordan, the best "pointy" guard on her basketball team, learns to share the ball (Ball Hog). Pedestrian writing and obvious messaging mar the stories, but kids might enjoy the general goofiness and the ample cartoonlike illustrations. Review covers these Animal All-Stars titles: Ball Hog and Wild Receiver.
(2)
4-6
Illustrated by
Vivienne To.
Nine-year-old Zack, tired of being pushed around by an aggressive turkey when he helps out at his grandparents' farm, sets out to build a "turkey-blaster trouble-shooter." When neighbor Josie and Zack's friend Matthew get roped in, the turkey-blaster takes on Rube Goldberg–level proportions. This story of eventual triumph over a manageable challenge features an engaging hero and well-rounded secondary characters.
Reviewer: Sarah Rettger
| Horn Book Magazine Issue:
January, 2018
32 pp.
| Candlewick
| August, 2016
|
TradeISBN 978-0-7636-8067-1$14.00
(3)
K-3
Illustrated by
Rowan Sommerset.
Quirky Turkey wants "sweet revenge" after being duped into eating poop in Baa Baa Smart Sheep. But after an extended speech-bubble conversation with Little Baa Baa about the "lemonade" Quirky Turkey's holding, the unlucky bird gets tricked into drinking the pee. The quintessential gross-out humor will resonate with second graders; minimalist illustrations capture the antagonistic vibe in the characters' expressions.
(4)
K-3
Zoom In on Farm Animals series.
With clear language, appealing photographs, and clean design, this cursory series introduces emerging readers to livestock. Each sturdy volume contains sections with broad but serviceable headings: "Body," "Food," "Farm Life," and "Names." An appendix includes comparisons of average weight and height, some of which are rather vague (e.g., "a chicken is heavier than a textbook"). Glos., ind. Review covers these Zoom In on Farm Animals titles: Chickens, Cows, Goats, Pigs, Sheep, and Turkeys.
32 pp.
| Whitman
| October, 2016
|
TradeISBN 978-0-8075-7908-4$16.99
(3)
K-3
Illustrated by
Amanda Pike.
After winning the Thanksgiving raffle, German immigrant Papa brings a live turkey home to Brooklyn (via subway). Indik (Yiddish for turkey) becomes something of a pet to the little-boy narrator, so when it's time for butchering, he's relieved: Indik's "too old! He'll be too tough to eat!" Amusing period illustrations enliven the silly predicament, based on a true story.
24 pp.
| Smart Apple
| March, 2014
|
LibraryISBN 978-1-62588-025-3$25.65
(4)
K-3
Farm Animals series.
These approachable titles introduce cursory facts (diet, care, etc.) about farm animals using stock color photos and a simple if unsubtle design. The main text is written from the featured animal's perspective ("I am a horse. I live on a farm with other horses"), while additional paragraphs offer more information ("A young calf drinks about one gallon of milk every day"). Websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Farm Animals titles: Chicken, Cow, Duck, Goat, Horse, Pig, Sheep, and Turkey.
32 pp.
| Holiday
| July, 2013
|
TradeISBN 978-0-8234-2379-8$16.95
(2)
K-3
Illustrated by
Jennifer K. Mann.
Shannon's comically gangly turkey is a creative thinker, unlike pessimistic Pig, Hen, and Chick, who give up on reaching some high-growing blackberries. Like the industrious Little Red Hen, Turkey Tot keeps on working, and with a little imagination and a positive attitude, he succeeds. With its short sentences and humorous repetition, this makes an entertaining book for storytime as well as a good early reader.
Reviewer: Susan Dove Lempke
| Horn Book Magazine Issue:
January, 2014
24 pp.
| Enslow
| March, 2013
|
LibraryISBN 978-0-7660-4207-0$21.26
(3)
K-3
Animals on the Family Farm series.
One family's farm is the setting for these six simple books about domestic animals. In each volume, a conversational text and colorful photos briefly cover basics: what the animal eats, where it lives (coop, pen, etc.), differences between males and females (size, coloring), care of young, and what it's raised for (eggs, cheese, meat). Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Animals on the Family Farm titles: Chickens on the Family Farm, Cows on the Family Farm, Goats on the Family Farm, Pigs on the Family Farm, Sheep on the Family Farm, and Turkeys on the Family Farm.
40 pp.
| Amazon
| November, 2012
|
TradeISBN 978-0-7614-6239-2$16.99
(3)
K-3
Illustrated by
Lee Harper.
Having survived Thanksgiving but on the Christmas menu, Turkey (Turkey Trouble) heads to the North Pole to ask for a wish. When he finally gets past the elves, Santa gives him the perfect idea: Turkey dresses up as Santa and delivers pizza and cookies, which Farmer Jake and family happily eat for Christmas dinner. This mildly amusing story features cheerfully goofy art.
32 pp.
| Farrar/Ferguson
| October, 2011
|
TradeISBN 978-0-374-35011-6$16.99
(1)
K-3
Cole's blithe illustrations set this entertaining story in nineteenth-century New York. A tiny flat is no place for a live turkey, but Pa brings one home to fatten up for Christmas. It proves to be a noisy, scowling glutton; however, when Pa announces it's time to visit the butcher: "We can't eat Alfred!" shout the children. A brilliant solution satisfies everyone, including Alfred.
32 pp.
| Dawn
| September, 2011
|
TradeISBN 978-1-58469-148-8$16.95
|
PaperISBN 978-1-58469-149-5$8.95
(4)
K-3
From spring through winter, young Jenny observes the wild turkeys in her yard. Expressive illustrations with the look of block prints show the toms and hens nesting, raising babies, roosting in trees, etc. The appended "Jenny's Journal" provides more information than the clunky rhyming text. Suggestions for activities and an animal-tracks guessing game conclude the book.
32 pp.
| Blue Apple
| October, 2011
|
TradeISBN 978-1-60905-091-7$11.99
(3)
K-3
Illustrated by
Binny.
This diary (told from a pet turkey's perspective) describes the animal's domesticated life, from egg to egg-layer. Entertaining cartoon illustrations (including a well-labeled turkey diagram) accompany the touching, funny, and information-rich anecdotes about her upbringing. Turkey facts abound: sidebars that look like taped-on paper cover topics such as sounds, habitat, and diet. A small write-your-own pet diary is included.
32 pp.
| Cavendish
| August, 2011
|
TradeISBN 978-0-7614-5847-0$16.99
(3)
PS
Illustrated by
David Slonim.
Ten turkeys are causing a traffic jam; busy, colorful illustrations show the birds practicing their circus act and blocking the road. A farmer in his pickup truck honks, and "One turkey flew away." His frustration mounts as he scares the animals off one by one. The buoyant countdown ends with a silly, satisfying twist when the turkeys take off in the farmer's vehicle.
32 pp.
| Peachtree
| March, 2010
|
TradeISBN 978-1-56145-519-5$15.95
(3)
K-3
Illustrated by
Susan Varley.
An eager little pig, a supportive old goat, and a grumpy wild turkey stumble upon a rowboat. After overcoming their trepidation ("'Turkeys don't go in boats'...'Neither do goats'"), the three set out. Small Pig's enthusiasm buoys this cozy story illustrated with homey pen-and-ink illustrations.
40 pp.
| Holiday
| August, 2010
|
TradeISBN 978-0-8234-2084-1$16.95
(4)
K-3
Illustrated by
Megan Lloyd.
Farmers Belle and Fred care for a lost turkey. Meanwhile, to the envy of their neighbors, Belle's garden flourishes due to her "special formula fertilizer" (secret ingredient: turkey droppings). Fred keeps his wife's secret--until he needs help ridding the yard of too many turkeys. Colorful, detailed illustrations (a little too detailed of the turkeys) capture both the fowl chaos and the lush neighborhood gardens.
32 pp.
| Scholastic
| September, 2009
|
TradeISBN 978-0-439-90364-6$16.99
(3)
K-3
"I'm a turkey, / they call me Tom, / I got a turkey dad and a turkey mom." Young Tom tells readers what it's like to be a wild turkey. Arnosky slips some very basic facts into the good-natured text, offering readers a bit of information with the jaunty rhyme. The playful illustrations are equal parts realistic and humorous.
40 pp.
| Cavendish
| October, 2009
|
TradeISBN 978-0-7614-5529-5$15.99
(3)
K-3
Illustrated by
Lee Harper.
"Turkey was in trouble. Bad trouble. The kind of trouble where it's almost Thanksgiving...and you're the main course." The enterprising fowl comes up with a series of costumes (mostly other animals) to disguise himself and otherwise outwit the hungry farm family. Humorous text and lively caricature illustrations combine for a spirited read-aloud.
(4)
K-3
Looking Glass Library: Barnyard Buddies series.
Illustrated by
Todd Ouren.
This series describes the lives of various animals on the farm. Most spreads deliver one to three sentences of main text and an additional one to three sentences (in smaller type) of further explanation. The animal sounds seem somewhat babyish for the informational text. The illustrations, although bright and inviting, can be too dully repetitive across volumes. Glos., ind. Review covers these Looking Glass Library: Barnyard Buddies titles: In the Buffalo Pasture, In the Goat Yard, In the Llama Yard, In the Rabbit Hutch, and In the Turkey Pen.