This Is the Turkey

August 24, 2000
PreS-Gr 2-This Thanksgiving tale begins with Max picking out a turkey at the supermarket and ends as he and his family say good-bye to all their company. What happens in between is told in the pattern of "This Is the House That Jack Built." The turkey is roasted, Max's sister kneads bread, Dad stirs the cranberries, and the guests bring all sorts of dishes. As the day progresses, Max plays with his cousins, the table is set, and so on. As his mother brings out the "crispy and golden" turkey, she trips and the mouthwatering bird goes flying into the fish tank. Still, Grandpa declares: "No turkey? No problem! I'm hungry-Let's eat!" and the diners enjoy the rest of the feast. The soft illustrations, rendered in watercolor, pencil, and ink, add humor and complement the activities in this holiday tale of food, family, and that occasional mishap that will be remembered for years to come. A perfect read-aloud.-Olga R. Barnes, Public Library of Charlotte & Mecklenburg County, NC

Copyright 2000 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

September 1, 2000
Ages 3-5. Max, his family, and their neighbors share a happy Thanksgiving in this appealing companion volume to " This Is the "Pumpkin (1997). With rhythm and rhyme reminiscent of "The House that Jack Built" but without the cumulative lines, the text radiates warmth like a kitchen stove. The words and pictures together tell what happened at Max's house: the food is prepared; the guests arrive and admire the table; and then, the roast turkey is accidentally dumped into the goldfish tank. At last, thanks are given for "home and family and friends and food." The turkey incident will have children in stitches, and its handling within the story will reassure them of what's really important on this day. The ink, pencil, and watercolor artwork mirrors the spirit of the text, while adding its own visual action, emotion, and humor. An excellent addition to Thanksgiving story hours.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2000, American Library Association.)