Turkey Claus
(Turkey Trouble #2)

Wacky, wild-eyed Turkey, last seen escaping the perils of Thanksgiving Day in Turkey Trouble, causes another seasonal flap in this silly, somewhat strained story. Determined not to be the main course at Farmer Jake's Christmas dinner, Turkey hitches a ride to the North Pole, hoping Santa can win him a reprieve. But getting an audience with the very busy man requires clever disguises, and Turkey's aren't quite clever enough. When Turkey finally reaches Santa, he receives a costume idea--and new holiday menu--that save the day. Younger readers will find chuckles in Turkey's holiday-themed getups and the end-of-story feast. Ages 4-8. (Nov.)

PreS-Gr 2--Having avoided being served up for Thanksgiving dinner in Turkey Trouble (Marshall Cavendish, 2009), the protagonist travels to the North Pole to petition Santa to save him from being the main attraction of Christmas dinner. Santa is too busy to see anyone, and Turkey's attempts to disguise himself as a Christmas tree, a reindeer, a candy cane, and Mrs. Claus fail hilariously. When he manages to smuggle himself into Santa's presence (wrapped up as a Christmas present), Santa comes up with the perfect plan-and the whole farm munches contentedly on Christmas pizza. Goofy watercolor and pencil illustrations play up the humor of the giggle-inducing text, with Turkey working his wattles to great effect. "Pizza on Earth" could indeed start a new tradition.--Eva Mitnick, Los Angeles Public Library