School Library Journal Review
K-Gr 2-Two easy-to-read selections. Spirn's book is classic second-grade fare. When Mark gets the part of the turkey in the Thanksgiving play, his older brother teases him, telling him that he will be eaten at the end. The day of the performance, Mark plans to save himself from embarrassment by hiding behind the other children, but ends up saving the day. Colorful artwork captures the action and provides visual clues. There is nothing new to this plot but youngsters always enjoy holiday stories, and stage fright is something everyone can relate to. In Baa-Choo, funny illustrations feature Sam the lamb (there is lots of good rhyming in the text). He has a cold and cannot sneeze. He goes to several barnyard residents for help and each animal offers assistance-tickling him with a feather, sprinkling pepper-until a goat kicks up enough dust to result in a successful outcome. So successful, in fact, that the creatures are blown away with the sneeze. This story will appeal to children who are not quite ready for longer sentences and more difficult vocabulary.-Susan Lissim, Dwight School, New York City (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Horn Book Review
Mark doesn't want to be the turkey in the second-grade Thanksgiving play. It's the worst part. Turkeys end up being eaten by the Indians and Pilgrims, so Mark plans to avoid being seen during the performance. When a pilgrim gets sick, however, he ad-libs and save the day. Mark's predicament will amuse beginning readers, and the energetic illustrations hit the spot. (c) Copyright 2010. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted. All rights reserved.
Kirkus Review
A compelling illustration of a nervous child in a turkey costume draws the reader into this mid-level early reader from the I Can Read series. The multi-ethnic children in a second-grade classroom are assigned parts in a Thanksgiving play by their African-American teacher, Ms. Willow. The first-person narrator, Mark, gets the part of the turkey, much to his chagrin. When the pilgrim narrator gets sick (on stage) and can't finish his lines, Mark saves the day (and the play) by improvising his own humorous conclusion. Spirn succeeds in creating a funny story with some real drama that kids will enjoy, complemented by Allen's appealing children in costume. This effort will work well for early readers and as a read-aloud for Thanksgiving story time, or even as an introduction to a classroom theatrical production. Anyone who has ever been involved in a school play will appreciate this well-told story illustrating that the show that must go on. (Easy reader. 5-8) Copyright ©Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Booklist Review
K-Gr. 2. Mark is excited when his teacher chooses him to play the turkey in the second-grade Thanksgiving play, even though his older brother, Tim, teases him. But his excitement turns to disappointment when he learns his measly lines (Gobble! Gobble! Gobble! ), and then to terror when Tim points out the turkey's true part in the Thanksgiving drama: You are dead at the end. The Pilgrims and the Indians eat you. Mark dreads the performance and plans to hide behind the other actors on stage. But when a pilgrim forgets his lines on the big night, Mark the Turkey ad libs and rescues the play. Spirn's text is a graceful mix of quotes and narration in short sentences and basic, lively word choices that are just right for emerging readers, and Allen's ink-and-paint illustrations capture the action and comedy in scenes many kids will recognize, especially the terrifying view from the stage. The gentle humor, familiar situations, and elementary-school angst add depth to this solid An I Can Read Book series title. --Gillian Engberg Copyright 2004 Booklist