cover image I'm a Turkey!

I'm a Turkey!

Jim Arnosky, . . Scholastic Press, $16.99 (32pp) ISBN 978-0-439-90364-6

This often underappreciated bird gets his due in Arnosky's funny homage. Tom is part of a large flock of wild turkeys (“We putt and peep and squawk and squabble. Talking turkey. Gobble, gobble”). Turkey life has its downsides (“ 'cuz lots of critters find us... tasty!”), but Arnosky's naturalistic acrylics imbue the birds with, if not quite majesty, lots of personality. Though Tom does suggest “the very next turkey that you see/ might be from my flock. It might be me!” no allusions are made to Thanksgiving—this is a treat for any time of year. Ages 4–8. (Sept.)