Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
Platt's jaunty rhymes chronicle a group of kids' efforts to save a local flock of turkeys from becoming dinner in this message-forward Thanksgiving book about "our friends of beak and feather." Kids worried about the fate of a farm's googly-eyed fowl enact a plan to disguise the threatened birds. Dressed as "Auntie June" with a string of pearls, astronaut "Beak Aldrin," and a "sparkly unicorn," the turkeys each miss detection. Finally, the enterprising youths wheel a suspiciously turkey-like "Farmer Byrd" around to deliver a transparent message: "All out of turkeys this year!" Crayon-like detailing gives Cleland's over-the-top digital renderings a grade-school vibe as expressive children of various skin tones gleefully pull off their ruse. Luckily, all seem to agree: "Vegetarian-style meal?/ Think that has some great appeal!" Ages 4--8. (Sept.)
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Review by Kirkus Book Review
At Thanksgiving, creative children scheme to save their turkey friends. "It's Thanksgiving Day and if grown-ups have their way, there'll be turkey in the oven--there'll be turkey on a tray! So let's put our heads together…to save our friends of beak and feather!" Black lettering is set against green grass in a colorful, full-bleed spread showing five large-eyed, generic but appealing children with varying skin tones. The rhymes and loose rhythms of the text continue as the children use their imaginations and all sorts of crafting materials to disguise the turkeys. The disguises range from "long-lost Auntie June" to potted flowers, an astronaut in a cardboard TV, and a unicorn. Humor abounds as each ridiculous disguise fools the grown-ups, despite Auntie June's gobbling, the flowerpots' decidedly unflowery odor, and the clearly visible beaks and feathers. A child pulls a wagon with the final turkey dressed like the local farmer and bearing the sign "All out of turkeys this year!" Will a vegetarian feast sate the Thanksgiving revelers? The well-matched text and art are lighthearted throughout, and the warmhearted ending does not disappoint. No didacticism here--just a reminder of why people gather together in the first place. Fun for vegetarians and omnivores alike.(Picture book. 4-8) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
