It's difficult to explain why Runt, the aptly named young gobbler in Wheeler's tale, cares for the well-being of his hale and hearty older brother, Turk, as in turkey, real and metaphorical. Runt's parents lavish all their attention on Turk, all their praise, hopes, and counsel. "He's a dancer," said his mother. "He's an athlete," said his father. "He's a goner," said Runt, for only Runt seems to understand that handsome, plump birds get the chop at holiday time. Runt is full of such Woody Allen quips, and like Woody, Runt is also the unlikely hero, saving Turk from being purchased, roasted, and gently basted, by acting like a lunatic and scaring off potential buyers. Then, when a pinched and parsimonious shrew sets her sights on Runt, it's Turk's turn to do the right thing, and he pulls through. Wheeler's (Sailor Moo, Cow at Sea, p. 890, etc.) comic timing is well tuned here-even if her repetitive authorial aside, "But no one ever listened to Runt," quickly begins to grate. But most inspired are the luxurious watercolors from Ansley (Wool Gathering, 2001), with their midnight blues, regal purples, and turkey-skinned pinks depicting Turk in his football gear and assorted buyers in their most comic animation. (Picture book. 4-7)

Though scrawny Runt's family never listens to him, he manages to keep his succulent brother Turk from becoming Thanksgiving's main course. It isn't until someone sets their sights on Runt that Turk understands why turkeys are being taken from Wishbone Farm. Complemented by cartoonlike illustrations, the humorous text lends itself well to reading aloud. From HORN BOOK Spring 2003, (c) Copyright 2010. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

PreS-Gr. 2. In this hilarious holiday tale, a pair of turkey parents admire their son, Turk: "He's a dancer." "He's an athlete." His brother, Runt, knows that as the best turkey on the farm Turk's dead meat, but no one ever listens to him. Two days before Thanksgiving, a famous ballet teacher arrives, compliments Turk's drumsticks, and is ready to take him home, but Runt acts crazy and saves his brother. Ditto when the football coach comes calling. Then, when a customer decides Runt is the pick of the litter, it is up to Turk to return the favor. Funny from beginning to end, this hits every note smartly, from the oblivious parents' hopes for their multitalented son, to Runt's clever asides. The last page, which shows the turkeys masquerading as snowmen for the Christmas rush, is a fitting finish. It's hard to imagine story and art working together any better than this. The watercolors move the action right along, and Ansley's got all the turkeys' expressions--pride, fear, horror--down pat. That's not easy when your subjects are, well, turkeys. --Ilene Cooper

Wheeler and Ansley return to the comical family dynamics they related so successfully in Wool Gathering for this turkey tale set on Wishbone Farm. While Turk's parents cluck with pride over him, little brother Runt sees Turk's assets as liabilities (" `He's a dancer,' said his mother. `He's an athlete,' said his father. `He's a goner,' said... Runt. But no one ever listened to Runt"). The younger fowl continues his sarcastic asides as he scares off a football coach and a ballet instructor who admires Turk's legs ("Look at zee size of zose drumsticks!"), until finally his family sees the light. This funny tale may well make readers consider the fowl's side of the holiday; they may even spare the turkey. Ages 4-7. (Oct.) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved

PreS-Gr 2-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. Their mother thinks that a young turkey will be singled out to be "the lead dancer in Swan Lake," and their father believes the chosen one will "play in the Thanksgiving Day football game." Runt remains the voice of reason throughout, humorously hinting at the truth, while being disregarded by the others. Much to his parents' dismay, Runt is able to drive away customers who are interested in his tasty-looking big brother. One November day, a little old lady comes along who decides Runt is just the right size for her holiday table. As usual, nobody pays attention to his cries for help, until his burly brother finally catches on. Safe for the Thanksgiving holiday, the birds finally acknowledge Runt's intelligence, and work together come Christmastime. Ansley's pen-and-ink and watercolor cartoons are a riot and elevate the simple plot to high drama. A silly, but thoroughly enjoyable holiday selection.-Melinda Piehler, North Tonawanda Public Library, NY (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.