I Am the Turkey: An I Can Read Book    by Michele Sobel Spirn & Joy Allen Order:  USA  Can HarperCollins, 2004 (2004) Hardcover Read an Excerpt      Reviewed by Hilary Williamson This delightful 'I Can Read Book' is aimed at kids aged 4 to 8. Joy Allen's colorful illustrations make the characters' feelings clear throughout. Mark rushes into school, anxious to find out his part in the Thanksgiving play. He gets to be - not a tree, not a rock, not an Indian, not a Pilgrim, but ... the turkey! Mark has just convinced himself that the turkey is a good part (there's only one after all) when his older brother Tim tells everyone at school that his brother is 'the class turkey'. It gets worse when Mark finds out his lines are limited to 'Gobble! Gobble! Gobble!' and Tim reveals the turkey's ultimate fate. 'I am a dead duck!' muses Mark. He begins to make excuses to his teacher, Miss Willow, but the play must go on. Of course it all works out in the end - you'll have to read the book to find out exactly how. I wish we'd had more engaging beginner books like this when my children were younger. I Am the Turkey is a perfect Thanksgiving read - both kids and adults will warm to young Mark who tries to squirm out of an embarrassing situation, but ultimately rises to the occasion. Note: Opinions expressed in reviews and articles on this site are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of BookLoons. Find more Kids books on our Shelves or in our book Reviews