Turk and Runt: A Thanksgiving Comedy - Hardcover

Wheeler, Lisa

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0689847610 ISBN 13: 9780689847615

Publisher: Atheneum/Richard Jackson Books, 2002

Synopsis

Turk's parents are proud of him, the biggest, strongest, most graceful bird at Wishbone Farm.

"He's a dancer," says his mother.

"He's an athlete," says his father.

"He's a goner," says his little brother, Runt.

But no one ever listens to Runt -- even after people with seasonal plans and roasting pans begin showing up at Wishbone Farm, or even after the juiciest turkeys are chosen, one by one.

"Chosen for what?" Turk asks.

No one wants to hear Runt's answer. But you will laugh at what he has to do to get the family's attention. They are, after all, turkeys. And rarely has a story about them been told with such warmth and cleverness. Or with such witty pictures.

About this title

About the Author

Lisa Wheeler's first book was Wool Gathering: A Sheep Family Reunion, illustrated by Frank Ansley. In a starred review of Wool Gathering, Publishers Weekly said, "This waggish collection of poems about an unorthodox family get-together brims with enough visual and verbal fun to appeal to both parents and children alike."

She has also recently published Sailor Moo: Cow at Sea, with pictures by Ponder Goembel. Raised in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Lisa grew up rooting for the Steelers, but now cheers for the Lions from her family's home in the suburbs of Detroit. Fall, food, and football are three of her favorite things, so Thanksgiving is a happy holiday. Visit Lisa on the Web at www.lisawheelerbooks.com.

Reviews

PreSchool-Grade 2-Turk is "the biggest, strongest, and most graceful bird on Wishbone Farm." His younger brother, "Runt," has figured out why people come to the farm in November, but no one wants to listen. Their mother thinks that a young turkey will be singled out to be "the lead dancer in Swan Lake," and their father believes the chosen one will "play in the Thanksgiving Day football game." Runt remains the voice of reason throughout, humorously hinting at the truth, while being disregarded by the others. Much to his parents' dismay, Runt is able to drive away customers who are interested in his tasty-looking big brother. One November day, a little old lady comes along who decides Runt is just the right size for her holiday table. As usual, nobody pays attention to his cries for help, until his burly brother finally catches on. Safe for the Thanksgiving holiday, the birds finally acknowledge Runt's intelligence, and work together come Christmastime. Ansley's pen-and-ink and watercolor cartoons are a riot and elevate the simple plot to high drama. A silly, but thoroughly enjoyable holiday selection.
Melinda Piehler, North Tonawanda Public Library, NY
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Wheeler and Ansley return to the comical family dynamics they related so successfully in Wool Gathering for this turkey tale set on Wishbone Farm. While Turk's parents cluck with pride over him, little brother Runt sees Turk's assets as liabilities (" `He's a dancer,' said his mother. `He's an athlete,' said his father. `He's a goner,' said... Runt. But no one ever listened to Runt"). The younger fowl continues his sarcastic asides as he scares off a football coach and a ballet instructor who admires Turk's legs ("Look at zee size of zose drumsticks!"), until finally his family sees the light. This funny tale may well make readers consider the fowl's side of the holiday; they may even spare the turkey. Ages 4-7.
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.

*Starred Review* PreS-Gr. 2. In this hilarious holiday tale, a pair of turkey parents admire their son, Turk: "He's a dancer." "He's an athlete." His brother, Runt, knows that as the best turkey on the farm Turk's dead meat, but no one ever listens to him. Two days before Thanksgiving, a famous ballet teacher arrives, compliments Turk's drumsticks, and is ready to take him home, but Runt acts crazy and saves his brother. Ditto when the football coach comes calling. Then, when a customer decides Runt is the pick of the litter, it is up to Turk to return the favor. Funny from beginning to end, this hits every note smartly, from the oblivious parents' hopes for their multitalented son, to Runt's clever asides. The last page, which shows the turkeys masquerading as snowmen for the Christmas rush, is a fitting finish. It's hard to imagine story and art working together any better than this. The watercolors move the action right along, and Ansley's got all the turkeys' expressions--pride, fear, horror--down pat. That's not easy when your subjects are, well, turkeys. Ilene Cooper
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Edition details

• Publisher: Atheneum/Richard Jackson Books
• Publication date: 2002
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0689847610
• ISBN 13: 9780689847615
• Binding: Hardcover
• Illustrator: Ansley Frank
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 32