A Turkey for Thanksgiving is a delightful children’s book by acclaimed author Eve Bunting and illustrated by Diane de Groat. Published in 1995 by Clarion Books, this 32-page picture book tells the story of a Thanksgiving celebration where the guests of honor are the animals themselves.
Overview of the Book
The book begins by introducing Mr. and Mrs. Moose who are busily preparing their Thanksgiving feast. They have invited all their woodland friends – Rabbit, Porcupine, Sheep, and the Goats. However, Mrs. Moose is a little downhearted because she doesn’t have a turkey, which everyone else seems to have for Thanksgiving.
Determined to get a turkey for his wife, Mr. Moose sets out into the forest. Along the way, he meets up with Rabbit, the Goats, Sheep and Porcupine. They all decide to join Mr. Moose on his turkey hunt.
After searching high and low, the animals finally find Turkey hiding near the river A terrified Turkey tries to run away but is caught by Mr. Moose and brought back to the Moose’s house
When they reach home, Mrs. Moose has set the table and made a place for Turkey as a guest of honor! Turkey is overcome with relief and joy when he realizes he is not the main course but a friend invited to take part in the Thanksgiving feast
Review of the Book
A Turkey for Thanksgiving is a delightful book perfect for reading aloud to young children around the Thanksgiving season. Author Eve Bunting has crafted a charming story which will appeal to kids aged 3 to 7 years old. Her storytelling is engaging, and she builds up the suspense and excitement towards Turkey’s surprise ending.
Illustrator Diane de Groat’s beautiful watercolor paintings complement the story wonderfully. She brings the forest animals to life with warmth and humor. The illustrations of Turkey’s fearful facial expressions and body language are especially amusing. From Rabbit in his cozy scarf to Porcupine waddling slowly behind, the pictures create a wonderful backdrop for the story.
The book works on many levels. On the surface, it is an entertaining tale of the animals’ mad caper through the woods. But Eve Bunting skillfully weaves in deeper messages about friendship, compassion and the real spirit behind Thanksgiving.
Young children will love the build up of suspense as they try and guess Turkey’s fate. The story lends itself well to teaching prediction skills. The humor and twist ending makes reading it aloud an enjoyable experience for both parents and children.
In the classroom, A Turkey for Thanksgiving can be used to start discussions about Thanksgiving traditions, being kind to animals, and the meaning of friendship. Teachers can also use it to give lessons about making predictions while reading.
About Eve Bunting and Diane de Groat
Eve Bunting is a beloved author who has penned over 250 books for children and young adults. She is the winner of numerous awards including the Caldecott Medal for her book Smoky Night. Some of her other popular titles are The Wall, Fly Away Home and Train to Somewhere. Her books cover a diverse range of topics and are well known for dealing sensitively with difficult subjects.
Illustrator Diane de Groat is an award-winning artist who has illustrated more than 130 children’s books over her career. Her drawings are loved for their warmth, humor and nod to nostalgia. Some of her popular works include the Gilbert series and titles like Hooray for Fly Guy! and Clara and Asha.
Why You Should Read This Book
Here are some key reasons why A Turkey for Thanksgiving is a great book to have on your shelf:
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Beautifully illustrated and an entertaining read-aloud story for Thanksgiving season.
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Skillful storytelling builds anticipation and ends with a delightful twist.
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Promotes values of compassion, friendship and sharing.
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Suitable for kids aged 3 to 7 years.
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Lends itself well to lessons on prediction skills.
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Authored by Eve Bunting who is known for her sensitive children’s stories.
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Warm, humor-filled illustrations by award-winning artist Diane de Groat.
For a charming Thanksgiving tale filled with woodland animals, humor and heart, look no further than Eve Bunting’s A Turkey for Thanksgiving. It is sure to become a beloved tradition for families to read year after year during the fall season.
