Patterned as a parody of the celebrated Clement Moore poem, this story of eight baby turkeys unfolds with joyous abandon and crackling vitality, as eight children embark on a Thanksgiving field trip that will change their lives forever. They are breathless as they catch sight of Farmer Mack Nuggett for the first time: "He was dressed all in denim, / From his head to his toe, / With a pinch of polyester / And a dash of Velcro."
The exuberant turkeys–Ollie, Stanley, Larry, Moe, Wally, Beaver and Groucho–catch the children up in raucous barnyard antics until the merriment is quelled by the sight of the ax. Deeply touched by the turkeys' plight, the children–who have grown mysteriously fatter and have feathers sticking out from under their clothes–board the bus to go back to the city. The next night, family silhouettes can be seen–each with a grateful turkey guest–as "They feasted on veggies / With jelly and toast."
This humorous, lighthearted story is adorned with bold, bright illustrations that convey a sense of wacky high-spiritedness sometimes lacking in traditional holiday fare.
