This Is the Turkey

by Abby Levine, Paige Billin-Frye (Illustrator)

Describes in rhyme the activities of a young boy and his extended family as they share a special Thanksgiving.

Genres: Thanksgiving, Picture Books, Holiday, Childrens, Storytime, Family, Food

24 pages, Hardcover

First published September 1, 2000

Reviews

[Astrid · Rating 4 out of 5]

The text for this book is a catchy rhyme style, similar to The House That Jack Built. And the pictures tell the story as well. It makes a good case for valuing the spirit of Thanksgiving. And I have my own take on it, which is no doubt biased by the fact I’m vegetarian😊: I like that the story shows that everyone had all they needed, and more, without the turkey meat!

[Kristen · Rating 4 out of 5]

My five year old son and I picked out this Thanksgiving-themed book for his sister (who is three) at the library.

It is an easy read - with a good rhyme scheme - making it a good read aloud book for bedtime or storytime.

Even though there was an accident with the turkey, we are reminded by the grandparents that the most important part of Thanksgiving is not the turkey - but it is being together and being thankful. They had good food, family, and friends. A great message for children.

I would read this again with my children.

[Asho · Rating 4 out of 5]

My local library always puts out a selection of seasonal or holiday-themed books, and I like to pick a couple out for the kids each time we go. Every year around Thanksgiving I recall that the selection of Thanksgiving books isn't very good. They are all sort of dull non-fiction or too complex to hold my three-year-old's attention. This year, though, I found "This is the Turkey". It's my favorite of the Thanksgiving books I've encountered so far. Written in the style of "This is the House That Jack Built" or "Bringing the Rain to Kapiti Plain", it tells the story of the preparation of a Thanksgiving feast. Of course, it doesn't go as planned, but the book finishes with the message that it doesn't matter what happens as long as family and friends are together.
My one-year-old wasn't interested in this book at all. My three-year-old liked it, although he only requested it a couple of times.

[Ina · Rating 4 out of 5]

This text is focuses on preparations for Thanksgiving with a rhythm and rhyme like "This is the House That Jack Built" The turkey "to shout about" is chosen by Max and goes into the oven on schedule. Dad works on preparing cranberries, ruby and red, while sister kneads bread...family and friends arrive adding to the story. When the moment finally arrives for dinner...well, lets just say that the picture made all the children at my storytime giggle and laugh! Max and his family have a marvelous dinner, in spite of the calamity.

[Cheyenne Turnbull]

This story details all the work that goes into preparing for Thanksgiving. From picking the turkey, to preparing the food, to gathering with friends and family to enjoy the meal.

If I were to use this in a lesson, I would use it when discussing Thanksgiving and cultural traditions. I would have students share their cultural traditions when it comes to Thanksgiving. I would discuss a little bit of the real story of Thanksgiving.

[Tam · Rating 3 out of 5]

Average story that takes place on Thanksgiving.
Written in the same style as "This is the house that Jack built".

Excerpt from the book:
"This is the uncle with salad greens;
this is the aunt with her famous beans
who kisses the sister, admires the bread,
and praises the cranberries, ruby-red,
while sniffing the turkey that's roasting away
for the guests who are coming on Thanksgiving Day."

[Alison · Rating 4 out of 5]

My 2-year-old and I really enjoyed this book. It talks about family, friends, neighbors and the usual goings-on associated with Thanksgiving. The pictures were bright and colorful and the story is not too long so he's able to attend to the whole book. It was a great first book to talk about what will happen at Thanksgiving for our family.

[Ashley · Rating 3 out of 5]

In this book the author talks about a modern day Thanksgiving dinner, and also the reasons it is celebrated. This book does a good job of showing that a modern day thanksgiving including many different people and even blended families.
Questions- How does your family celebrate Thanksgiving?
Does your family celebrate Thanksgiving or do they celebrate something?

[Cassie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an older book, published in 2000, but the catchy rhyme written in partial cumulative pattern and soft illustrations are perfect for reading aloud with your preschooler. Paige Billin-Frye captures the warmth of the holiday and the loving emotions felt by all, even if there is a disaster!

[Alicia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like that the emphasis on this book is the sharing of a meal with family and friends and even though we get excited about the food, it isn't the food that make the holiday special, but the people gathered around the table.

[Susie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was used as a read-aloud on Thanksgiving Eve at one of my elementary schools. It's a sort of "this is the house that Jack built" version of a turkey catastrophe. The students enjoyed it and correctly identified the moral of the story.

[Kristie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Add & repeat story.

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like when the family gets out the board games and puzzles together.

[Shaeley Santiago · Rating 3 out of 5]

Poetic account of family and friends gathering for Thanksgiving. Great for a read aloud.

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

29 months - Sometimes things go a bit wrong in the kitchen but that's ok, Thanksgiving is about family and friends and spending the time together reflecting and being thankful.

[Alissa Faust · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sort of follows the 'House that Jack Built' rhyme scheme. It sequences the preparation of the Thanksgiving feast, and what happens when things don't go quite as planned.

[Faithann · Rating 2 out of 5]

Simple read for your younger kids.

[Casandria · Rating 4 out of 5]

A building story. May be hard for story time...
Thanksgiving

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fun book and the storytime kids laughed a lot when the turkey ended up in the fish tank. Good thoughts about Thanksgiving and its meaning, and what is important.

[Elnara Browers · Rating 4 out of 5]

Summary:
Family and friends gather to celebrate Thanksgiving. Something unexpected happens but it does not ruin the holiday but makes it even more memorable.
Genre:
The story is written as a rhyme, each page is well illustrated, showing the setting, characters and interactions between them.
mentor writing trait(s):
Organization (sequenced events, one setting - friends gathering at a home, events transpire), word choice (e.g. Yikes!) Sentence fluency (sentence carry a pattern, two lines per page until an unexpected turn of events where only one word is used in a sentence - Yikes!)
Identify specific concepts that could be integrated into the classroom:
Language arts, Thanksgiving holiday, Fall season, family units in Social Studies, emotional health.
Rhyme, holiday, emotions, mood, family, friends, gatherings.
Provide any other suggestions that would be useful regarding literary content, reading level, and other ways in which the book might be integrated:
K-3, level 3.4, however can be read aloud to the older elementary students, as well.

[Diane · Rating 4 out of 5]

“This is the grandma who says, “Max, dear, we have all we need because everyone’s here.”

Max helps to pick out a turkey for Thanksgiving, but when a catastrophe happens that makes the turkey inedible, will it ruin the day? Of course not, because family and friends are gathered together and there are plenty of side dishes to share. There are games and other types of family fun as well.

A cumulative tale that is a good reminder that the holiday is about more than just eating.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

In the cumulative style of The House that Jack Built, we have the story of a much anticipated Thanksgiving dinner that goes awry.
But, "This is the grandma who says, 'Max, dear; we have all we need because everyone's here.'"
A simple and sweet reminder of what is most important, and perhaps a reminder also to pick up toy cars in the path from the kitchen.
Pleasing colorful illustrations.
Use with preschool-1st graders.

[Cassie Veselovsky · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an older book, published in 2000, but the catchy rhyme written in partial cumulative pattern and soft illustrations are perfect for reading aloud with your preschooler. Paige Billin-Frye captures the warmth of the holiday and the loving emotions felt by all, even if there is a disaster!

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nice book! My three year olds really liked it, they loved the pictures and followed the story very well. They thought the ending was funny and understood the message and even were able to answer when I asked how Max was feeling and why, which to me is a sign that the book served its purpose. Would definitely read to my threes again for Thanksgiving!

[Mariya Dawson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lesson to be learned: It is okay to make mistakes. It is nice to come together with family and friends to give thanks and celebrate the holidays.
Colors & themes used: Thanksgiving foods and spending time with family and enjoying their company. Rhyming format.

[superawesomekt · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book, like Thanksgiving, is centered around the Turkey. Or is it?

Cumulative rhyming text (not my favorite approach, generally, but done well here) will make this most appealing to a preschool crowd.

[Elizabeth Edwards · Rating 5 out of 5]

awesome, such great illustrations! well done. so cool!! must read.

[Michele Chapman · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cumulative rhyming like the Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly. Great rhythm.

[Abigail Feldt · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a sweet story. :)

[Sarah Roubal · Rating 5 out of 5]

I opened to the first page & realized I had this book as a child. It brought back many sweet memories