Perfect Picture Book Friday-Turk and Runt: A Thanksgiving Comedy

Posted on by Penny Parker Klostermann

I know this is my second week to do a Thanksgiving book and it’s not even Halloween. Well, I didn’t get to the library quickly enough to grab my favorite Halloween books for review. I like to have the book in my hands while I do my review. It’s just more fun that way! So, I’m giving you a jump on the Thanksgiving books so you can get them early! I actually read this book this summer due to my love for Lisa Wheeler’s talent. She is a master rhymer and story teller. If you read my blog regularly, you know I love rhyming picture books. Well, this book is not rhyming like a lot of hers, but it is so darn cute!

Turk and Runt: A Thanksgiving Comedy

Written by Lisa Wheeler

Illustrated by Frank Ansley

Atheneum Books for Young Readers 2005

Ages 4-8

Themes: Holidays, Thanksgiving

Synopsis: (School Library Journal) 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.

Opening: Turk’s parents were so proud of him. He was the biggest, strongest, and most graceful bird on 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 listened to Runt.

Resources: Lisa Wheeler has this excellent Activity Guide available on her website. And I’m including the Thanksgiving activities I had on my review last week for One Is A Feast For Mouse, another awesome Thanksgiving book. Draw your favorite food activity on pages 24-25 of this activity guide. HERE is a link to some Thanksgiving activities.

Why I Like This Book: This book is hilarious. Kids will love how little Runt, who no one ever listens to, seems to be the only one facing the reality that folks are coming to Wishbone Farm to chose a turkey…not to recruit Turk for his dancing and football skills. Runt comes up with crazy antics trying to save the Turk from being Thanksgiving dinner.  His family finally sees the light and has to use antics of their own to help little Runt….before his “goose is cooked”!

Susanna Leonard Hill features Perfect Picture Book Friday on her blog. This is a wonderful resource if you are wondering what books to give as gifts, needing material for a lesson, or just looking for a great book to read. Here is a list of books by category. Each book listed has a link to a review, information about that book, and resources for activities. There is also an alphabetical list.

26 thoughts on “Perfect Picture Book Friday-Turk and Runt: A Thanksgiving Comedy”

  4. When I saw the heading, I thought this had to be a Penny Klostermann’s choice. It sounded hilarous. You always pick such fun books to review, love it even though we don’t celebrate thanksgiving down here.

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  6. I’ll have to check this one out Penny. Our library is also cleaned out of Halloween books. 😦 I don’t think I’ve read anything by Lisa Wheeler, so that’s a new one to me, too. I’ll look for her books at the library. If you and Cathy love her, she must be good. :-))

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  10. The title is great! The antics of Runt sound hilarious. All the ingredients for a fun read. Lisa Wheele tells a great story. Thanks for sharing this book in advance of the holidays.

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