Albuquerque Turkey

by B.G. Ford, Lucinda McQueen (Illustrator)

Albuquerque is a turkey.
And he’s feathered,
And he’s fine…


What a cheerful, animal-friendly twist on Thanksgiving! Lively rhyme—which kids can sing to the tune of “My Darling Clementine”—captures the heartwarming friendship between a man and his pet turkey. As the holiday approaches, and the man begins to shop and cook, Albuquerque starts to get nervous. Will he end up as dinner? Young readers are in for a big and happy surprise.


Lucinda McQueen—whose art has graced dozens of board and picture books—has created adorable pictures that perfectly complement B.G. Ford’s beguiling verse.

Genres: Thanksgiving, Picture Books, Childrens, Holiday

36 pages, Hardcover

First published December 31, 2005

Reviews

[Trisha Parsons · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm not a huge fan of turkey books for storytime, but I love this one. The narrative is different than the usual "be scared turkeys" and it's also a sweet tale of friendship.

[Peacegal · Rating 4 out of 5]

I fondly remember singing this song in second grade music class. Many years later, "Albuquerque Turkey" remains a fun holiday staple during the fall season.

In a culture that celebrates a turkey carcass on the table at Thanksgiving, the "Albuquerque Turkey" song and book provide an alternate view of a turkey as a friend and a new holiday tradition that features "Egg Foo Young instead." (Some other versions of the song have the singer eating "pumpkin soup instead.") This is a wonderful, validating story for vegetarian children, and a non-threatening way of introducing alternative traditions to omnivorous ones. (After all, aren't celebrations of peace and friendship what the holidays are all about?)

[Fayola · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is such a great book to read to young children during the thanksgiving holiday, it shows how a man and his turkey are great friends and you don't have to eat a turkey for thanksgiving...instead you can eat many different things. This book has such an adorable concept to it. Good read

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story is so fun, it is sung to the tune of "Oh My Darlin', Clementine" and the pictures are adorable.

[Kristi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quirky new words sung to the tune of "Oh My Darlin' Clemetine" that Anthony just "gobbled" up! I think we'll have to buy this one to pull out for each Thanksgiving. Very cute:)

[Christina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Christopher wanted me to read it over and over and over! You can also sing it to the tune of Oh, My Darlin'. It's very cute!

[a · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fun read for kids and adults!

[Ashley · Rating 5 out of 5]

My kids love reading this for Thanksgiving.

[Kats · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved it!!
Placeholder for Lisa's postal book club book.

[Casandria · Rating 3 out of 5]

Turkeys are apparently the best pets ever. And they can talk...?

[Tara]

What an awesome Turkey Day book :)