Turkey Claus

Publishers Weekly

Wacky, wild-eyed Turkey, last seen escaping the perils of Thanksgiving Day in Turkey Trouble, causes another seasonal flap in this silly, somewhat strained story. Determined not to be the main course at Farmer Jake’s Christmas dinner, Turkey hitches a ride to the North Pole, hoping Santa can win him a reprieve. But getting an audience with the very busy man requires clever disguises, and Turkey’s aren’t quite clever enough. When Turkey finally reaches Santa, he receives a costume idea—and new holiday menu—that save the day. Younger readers will find chuckles in Turkey’s holiday-themed getups and the end-of-story feast. Ages 4–8. (Nov.)

Children's Literature - Mary Hynes-Berry

Turkey has made it safely past Thanksgiving, but his farmer and his wife are planning Christmas Dinner with him as the centerpiece. Turkey decides he'll have to go straight to the North Pole to get a reprieve. When the elves tell him Santa doesn't have time for turkeys, this clever bird tries a series of disguises, only to be given away by one unmistakable turkey trait such as wings, feathers or beak. But when he makes himself into a present for Santa, Santa suggests the perfect disguise—and turkey delivers Gobble Pizza to everyone at home. Harper's zany side illustrations reinforce the pattern of this story, and make the final twist all the more amusing. While families are likely to enjoy it, kindergarten or early primary classrooms might use it to launch a classification activity in which disguises work except for one defining attribute, so if a human or a dog tried to disguise themselves as a reindeer, the fact of feet or paws might give them away as turkey's claws betrayed him. Reviewer: Mary Hynes-Berry

Kirkus Reviews

In this sequel to Turkey Trouble (2009), a comical turkey again avoids being the main dish at a holiday dinner. This time, Turkey decides to travel to the North Pole to deliver his Christmas wish to Santa in person. Turkey's wish? A heartfelt plea that he not be eaten for Christmas dinner. On arrival at the North Pole, Turkey is prevented from seeing Santa by some protective elves, so the clever bird tries various disguises to get past the elf gatekeepers. He dresses up like a Christmas tree, a reindeer, a candy cane and Mrs. Claus, but the elves catch on to Turkey's minimal disguises every time. Finally, Turkey hides inside a Christmas package and manages to talk to Santa, who provides Turkey with a Santa suit of his own. Santa delivers Turkey back to his farm, and Turkey delivers pizza, cookies and candy canes to his farm family on Christmas Eve. The plot is only mildly humorous, and the jokes are rather lame, although Turkey's earnest, geeky personality and silly costumes are amusing. The cartoon-style illustrations are a bit washed-out, particularly Santa's suit, which is painted in a muted burgundy that looks almost purple. Not a complete turkey, but close. (Picture book. 4-8)

School Library Journal

PreS-Gr 2—Having avoided being served up for Thanksgiving dinner in Turkey Trouble (Marshall Cavendish, 2009), the protagonist travels to the North Pole to petition Santa to save him from being the main attraction of Christmas dinner. Santa is too busy to see anyone, and Turkey's attempts to disguise himself as a Christmas tree, a reindeer, a candy cane, and Mrs. Claus fail hilariously. When he manages to smuggle himself into Santa's presence (wrapped up as a Christmas present), Santa comes up with the perfect plan-and the whole farm munches contentedly on Christmas pizza. Goofy watercolor and pencil illustrations play up the humor of the giggle-inducing text, with Turkey working his wattles to great effect. "Pizza on Earth" could indeed start a new tradition.—Eva Mitnick, Los Angeles Public Library