Turkey's Valentine Surprise

Turkey Trouble #6

by Wendi Silvano, Lee Harper (Illustrations)

Turkey loves nothing better than a good trick…except maybe a good disguise. So for Valentine’s Day, he decides to secretly deliver a card to each of his friends. But when he dresses up as a cat to deliver the purr-fect valentine, he’s quickly found out. It turns out that outsmarting his pals is harder than he thought. Luckily, Turkey has more silly surprises in store.

Genres: Picture Books, Holiday, Childrens, Animals, Fiction, Humor, Storytime

40 pages, Hardcover

Published December 13, 2022

Reviews

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

How come it is taking me so long to bring this review to Goodreads? Are you missing my valentine heart?

When we consider what ages books fit first, we can put this one at age kindergarten through 2nd grade.

But…

Truthfully, this book is more.

Laughter brings everyone together – at any age. Laugh out loud books will do that. And this book is one that brings joy. Around a holiday with heart and animals that care for each other.

[Lindsey Gandhi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love these Turkey books. They always make me laugh!

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wonderful use of endpapers. I also love the wordplay that is so good for kids' brains as well as for their funnybones. And nothing beats Homemade Valentine Cards!!

Impulse grab at the library. I see there are a bunch of books featuring Turkey and friends. I guess I've got some catching up to do!

[Baby Bookworm · Rating 4 out of 5]

This review was originally written for The Baby Bookworm. Visit us for new picture books reviews daily!

Hello, friends! Our book today is Turkey’s Valentine Surprise, written by Wendi Silvano and illustrated by Lee Harper, a pun-filled story of secret admirers and wild disguises.

After receiving a delightful valentine from a surreptitious source, Turkey is inspired to dress in disguise and present his friends with mysterious missives of their own. Yet while he puts quite a bit of effort into his costumes, the best that can be said of them is that he looks like a dog, or cat, or owl… almost. While his barnyard pals love his punny valentines, Turkey is disappointed to have not succeeded in his subterfuge – until he thinks up the kindest surprise of all! But can he pull it off?

Charming. Those familiar with Silvano and Harper’s Turkey Trouble series will know what to expect from the newest title: wacky humor, warm friendship, and puns galore. Silvano uses tongue-in-cheek text and repetition to make an entertaining story, especially when read aloud, and Harper’s illustrations are inventive, expressive, and filled with clever details (including what, I am almost positive, is a subtle tribute to Kermit the Frog). The length is great for a storytime, and JJ loved Turkey’s antics. Overall, a wonderfully silly read for Valentines that focuses on kindness, friendship, and laughs, and it’s Baby Bookworm approved.

(Note: A copy of this book was provided to the Baby Bookworm by a representative of the publisher in exchange for an honest review.)

Be sure to check out The Baby Bookworm for more reviews!

[Stacie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Turkey wants to give his farm friends the best valentine ever and do it secretly. So, he comes up with a plan. But, if you’ve read Turkey’s other books, you know that Turkey’s plans don’t always work out.

No matter whether he pretends to be a cat, a dog, or even an owl, his farm friends recognize him in his disguise. So even though he still gets everyone their own special valentine, Turkey is still frustrated. Then, Turkey has the perfect idea to surprise everyone at the Valentine’s Barn Dance.

Turkey is really a great friend to all the farm animals and Valentine’s Day is the perfect time to show it. Your child will giggle at Turkey’s disguises and will want to create their own special valentine’s just like Turkey. Don’t miss this new addition to the Turkey Trouble series!

[The Silvan Reverie | Sarah Street]

A nice Valentine's themed addition to the Turkey Trouble series, but I overall felt this was a little clunky. It doesn't read as smooth as others and I think it's confusing in moments. It's still got a sweet and playful undertone with an emphasis on friendship (nice for Valentine's Day), but I think it just needed to be a bit simpler.

***Note: I was given a review copy of this book via Publisher's Spotlight. Opinions are my own.

[Jnase1 · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love all the Turkey books, but this one just seemed to try too hard. It’s still cute, but not my favorite. I hope the beach one will be better. 🤞🏻

[Erin Buhr]

The highlight of this book, for me, is the sheer volume of puns. They're terrible - in a completely delightful way. Kids will giggle at all of Turkey's Valentines as he delivers them around the farm. I love that this is a Valentine's story about friendship and trying to do something nice for your friends. I feel like that concept resonates well with kids this time of year. This is a comical Valentine's read aloud that is full of lots of heart.

[Ella Boyd · Rating 5 out of 5]

Summary: Turkey's Valentine Surprise is a book that revolves around Valentine's day. Turkey receives a valentine from a secret admirer and thinks that that is the best valentine you can receive. He then tries to surprise all of his friends using clever puns and elaborate costumes.
Response: I would have this book in my classroom. It challenges students to understand puns and connect them to the animal they're talking about. This book also encourages students to want to do sweet things for their friends.
How to use it: I would use this book to introduce giving valentines to your friends. This would most likely be the day that we make and our valentine mailboxes. We could also use this book and write their parents valentines.

[A Allen · Rating 2 out of 5]

In the story Turkey makes punny Valetines for his friends and attempts to deliver them while in disguise so that they will be surprised to learn who their secret admirer is. Each time Turkey dresses up, his friends know it is him and call him out with another pun, such as "you MUTT as well come out" or "I have a feline that you're not a cat..." In the end Turkey thinks he has gotten away without his friends knowing he is the secret admirer who made the pizza for the dance, but observant children will see the illustration and notice that he might not be correct. If your child finds puns hilarious, this book is for them! I love the heart-shaped glasses that the sheep are wearing at the beginning.

[Kathryn · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was so much fun! Loved the wordplay and creative costumes. It's really cute and clever and one of the more original and entertaining Valentine's Day picture books I've encountered. My youngest saw the other Turkey book covers listed at the back and requested them. Score with Mom and with the target audience! ;-) Although, I see that some other reviewers complained that this book felt redundant after others in the series so perhaps my enjoyment factor is heightened by the novelty as this is the first I've read.

[Darla · Rating 5 out of 5]

Need some inspiration for those homemade valentines? Turkey has got you covered. You can borrow one of his clever designs and make your own. Don't worry. Turkey's special delivery costumes are optional. This is my favorite Turkey book since Turkey Trouble.
P.S. Turkey loves you all to pizzas!

[Scooby2 · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a cute story where Turkey is trying to surprise his friends with Valentine’s he made by dressing up in disguise and hand delivering them to each of his friends. I thought the illustrations were colorful and I loved each of Turkey’s attempts at surprising his friends. This will be a quick read for Valentine’s Day.

I give this book 4 stars.

I won this from Goodreads First Reads Giveaway.

[Peacegal · Rating 3 out of 5]

The illustrations in this series are so cute and creative. Kids and adults will be giggling together at Turkey's super silly homemade costumes as he delivers "surprise" Valentines around the barnyard.

True, I'm disappointed the newer Turkey adventures don't have the humane message of the originals. However, families who fall in love with Turkey and his pals through this book may seek out others...and just may be inspired to have a pizza-fied Thanksgiving!

[Thomas Bell · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fun read, but it felt like a repitition of all the other Turkey books, and the reasons for his costumes are getting lamer and lamer.

I did like the illustrations, especially cow watching Turkey the toad flying! I also liked how Turkey was finally able to think he surprised his friends. It's funny though how the homemade pizzas he made came in a pizza box...

[Pam · Rating 4 out of 5]

Turkey tries to disguise himself and deliver valentines to all his friends. Readers will be amused by his costumes and understand why his friends recognize him every time. He finally figures out a way to surprise them all at the end - or does he. The illustrations are terrific and can be studied several times to find more details.

[Jacquelyn Rivera · Rating 5 out of 5]

that WAs SOOO GOOD LIKE 100%

It was a amazing experience for me
I liked it it was good but one problem it was like every time I go to the next page it would take it out and it was annoying because I Just wanted to go to the next page normally but it was good100%
I think also it’s good for little kids to read too! Little kids will like this book

[Justine · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was surprised that my daughter grabbed this book out of season but we read it and had a blast doing it. We were laughing and maybe eye rolling at all of the pubs. We laughed at all of Turkey’s disguises. It was such a cute read with illustrations to match.
Another great read that we would recommend to all.

[Anthony · Rating 4 out of 5]

Turkey, farm prankster, and master of disguise (in his own mind) decides to deliver Valentine's Day card to all of his farm friends while assuming the identity of a secret admirer. Full of puns and mishaps, Turkey still finds a way to pull off what he thinks is a great prank.

[Bridget Neace · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars rounded up because some of the pun-ny valentines were quite adorable. Didn't like it as much as the OG Thanksgiving one (pretty much all the books in this series are the same as that story, just set at a different holiday), but liked it slightly more than the other ones I've read so far.

[Jen · Rating 3 out of 5]

While this story was cute, I enjoyed the other Turkey books more.

[jyweniverel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gobble this book up.

Such a sweet Valentine book. Turkey goes to great lengths to surprise his friends on Valentine’s Day. A great read for a sweet day.

[Ashlee · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fun Valentine's read!

[Shana Gorian · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very cute, funny, and gorgeous illustrated book for children. A great addition to your holiday themed bookshelf.

[Janet Ashmore · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a clever and cute book-made me want to do the same kind of surprise party! Just change the event when it is not a Valentine shindig!

[Gina · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Turkey! Very cute story with great pictures and great message.

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Turkey's Valentine Surprise (Turkey Trouble Book 6) by Wendi Silvano – This is on kindle unlimited. Turkey is determined to surprise his friends! Happy Reading!

[Katie Poli · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cute and clever - Loved it!

My 3, 5 and 9 year old lover this one! A quick read before bedtime to get into the spirit for the next upcoming holiday.

[Ashley Anita-Barriga · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is such a cute book about turkey wanting to make surprise valentines for his barn friends. Good for lower elementary grade levels.

[Kim Hampton · Rating 5 out of 5]

A really cute book.