A Plump And Perky Turkey

Publishers Weekly

"The people in Squawk Valley/ were downhearted and depressed./ Thanksgiving was approaching,/ but without its special guest." All the turkeys have fled town except for one fowl named Pete who responds to a ploy a "model wanted" ad for the local art show. After posing for various sculptors, painters and collage artists, Pete steals off with a turkey made from oatmeal as payment and joins up with his other feathered pals. Shelly's exaggerated settings and caricatures do little to season Bateman's (Leprechaun Gold) prolix delivery and half-baked premise. Ages 4-8. (Sept.) Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information.

Children's Literature

Without prospects of a turkey, the people of Squawk Valley face bowls of shredded wheat for Thanksgiving dinner. They all agree that what they need is a plump and perky turkey to satisfy their need. Ebenezer Beezer, to the delight of the people, comes up with a brilliant plan. Posters are plastered on every tree in the forest advertising for a turkey model to pose for the upcoming craft fair. Pete, a plump and perky turkey, struts proudly into town. "Twas the week before Thanksgiving when Pete posed to do his part, and the artsy-craftsy townsfolk started making turkey art." They made sculptures out of spuds, oatmeal, soap and various other materials, but just as the judging gets underway, Pete disappears. Written in a playful poetic form with vibrant paintings that dance across the pages, Bateman's book is bound to become an annual seasonal treat. 2001, Winslow Press, $15.95. Ages All. Reviewer: Laura Hummel

School Library Journal

PreS-Gr 2-In this rhyming story, Pete, a turkey outsmarts the townsfolk of old-time Squawk Valley as they mask their quest for a Thanksgiving entr e with the premise of needing a feathered model for a themed arts-and-crafts fair. Angular cartoon people, done in watercolor and gouache, create turkey sculptures of potatoes, rope, oatmeal, and soap, as well as collages and portraits. This variety of presentation makes it easy for Pete to hide temporarily among the exhibits when the moment of truth arrives. The faint typeface is somewhat difficult to read and some alliterative lines ("We'll fill our fair with folks and fun") will twist a tongue during read-alouds. The final page showing a dozen turkeys at the beach is a real champion, capturing various comical expressions and activities. An interactive Web site with games and activities offers entertaining follow-up. A possible storytime companion to Dav Pilkey's 'Twas the Night before Thanksgiving (Orchard, 1990).-Gay Lynn Van Vleck, Henrico County Library, Glen Allen, VA Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information.