What do you think?
Rate this book
I'm A Turkey!
Paperback, 1st Scholastic printing, 2009.
Paperback
First published September 1, 2009
1 person is currently reading
93 people want to read
About the author
Jim Arnosky
164 books76 followersJim Arnosky was born in New York City, NY Sept 1, 1946. He was raised in Pennsylvania. Jim graduated from high school in Philadelphia and joined the US Naval Reserves. His active duty took him to Maryland and Bremerhaven, Germany.
In 1976 Jim and his wife Deanna moved to Vermont with their two daughters where they have lived in an old farmhouse for the past 28 years. 17 of those years were spent raising sheep.
Jim is self taught in writing, art and the natural sciences. He has written and illustrated 86 books on nature subjects and has illustrated 46 other books written by various authors. He has been awarded the Christopher Medal, Orbis Pictus Honor, ALA Gordon Award, and Outstanding Science book awards from National Science Teachers Associations.
Jim loves to fish, boat, and play his guitar. In his work, he uses a Betacam SP video camcorder with a 1600 mm lens to record the wildlife he and Deanna find all across the country.
In 1976 Jim and his wife Deanna moved to Vermont with their two daughters where they have lived in an old farmhouse for the past 28 years. 17 of those years were spent raising sheep.
Jim is self taught in writing, art and the natural sciences. He has written and illustrated 86 books on nature subjects and has illustrated 46 other books written by various authors. He has been awarded the Christopher Medal, Orbis Pictus Honor, ALA Gordon Award, and Outstanding Science book awards from National Science Teachers Associations.
Jim loves to fish, boat, and play his guitar. In his work, he uses a Betacam SP video camcorder with a 1600 mm lens to record the wildlife he and Deanna find all across the country.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 75 reviews
April 27, 2011
Positive depictions of this misunderstood bird are hard to come by, so I’m pleased to report that this book is a joyous celebration of turkeys—without a single peep about Thanksgiving or cranberry sauce.
The book starts out on a winning note, in which youngsters learn that turkeys, like us, have families:
I got a turkey dad and a turkey mom. I got a turkey brother and sister, too.
And they have a rich vocabulary of sounds with which to communicate.
We putt and peep and squawk and squabble—Talking turkey, gobble, gobble.
Wild turkeys are also powerful flyers:
I flap my wings and aim toward heaven and take off slowly like a Boeing 747...Fifty miles per hour over the treetops.
Rather sad when one reflects upon the miserable predicament of the modern factory-farmed turkey, who has been bred to be so overweight he can barely walk, let alone fly.
Which brings us to another positive element of this book—it shows us in no uncertain terms that turkeys don’t want to be eaten! Beside a drawing of a coyote lunging at a flock of fleeing turkeys, we read:
But we must be careful, can’t be hasty, ‘cuz lots of critters find us tasty!
That makes us wary. Always on the lookout.
The last part of the book ends on another high note, with a passage individualizing the wild turkeys one might spot outdoors, with a fun idea for youngsters to attempt to communicate with the birds:
The very next turkey that you see might be from my flock. It might be me! Make a gobbling sound so I know it’s you. I’ll answer back with a gobble or two. We’ll be talking turkey!
Fun, humane, and colorful, I’m a Turkey is highly recommended.
The book starts out on a winning note, in which youngsters learn that turkeys, like us, have families:
I got a turkey dad and a turkey mom. I got a turkey brother and sister, too.
And they have a rich vocabulary of sounds with which to communicate.
We putt and peep and squawk and squabble—Talking turkey, gobble, gobble.
Wild turkeys are also powerful flyers:
I flap my wings and aim toward heaven and take off slowly like a Boeing 747...Fifty miles per hour over the treetops.
Rather sad when one reflects upon the miserable predicament of the modern factory-farmed turkey, who has been bred to be so overweight he can barely walk, let alone fly.
Which brings us to another positive element of this book—it shows us in no uncertain terms that turkeys don’t want to be eaten! Beside a drawing of a coyote lunging at a flock of fleeing turkeys, we read:
But we must be careful, can’t be hasty, ‘cuz lots of critters find us tasty!
That makes us wary. Always on the lookout.
The last part of the book ends on another high note, with a passage individualizing the wild turkeys one might spot outdoors, with a fun idea for youngsters to attempt to communicate with the birds:
The very next turkey that you see might be from my flock. It might be me! Make a gobbling sound so I know it’s you. I’ll answer back with a gobble or two. We’ll be talking turkey!
Fun, humane, and colorful, I’m a Turkey is highly recommended.
May 3, 2011
An extra half star for a book about turkeys that mention nothing about how they’re used by humans. 3 ½ stars. Also, the “story” is told with a “singing” cadence so while normally I hate promotions for anything other than the book on a book’s cover, in this case the ability to download the free original song that goes with this book was something I found welcome, even though I didn’t take advantage of it.
This is a book about wild turkeys. It’s somewhat informative though more for fun than for education, but readers/listeners will learn some things about turkeys’ lives.
The illustrations’ colors are wonderful but the style didn’t wow me. And, much to my chagrin, my favorite picture is the one of the turkey being pursued by what I think is a wolf. Ah well.
This is a book about wild turkeys. It’s somewhat informative though more for fun than for education, but readers/listeners will learn some things about turkeys’ lives.
The illustrations’ colors are wonderful but the style didn’t wow me. And, much to my chagrin, my favorite picture is the one of the turkey being pursued by what I think is a wolf. Ah well.
March 21, 2018
Cute book tells about Tom the turkey and how he and his flock live. They communicate. He hides a lot from predators. He wants you to gobble to say hi and he'll gobble back, talking turkey.
September 2, 2020
Would work for storytime.
January 26, 2010
The recording of Arnosky performing this sounds a bit like Pete Seeger doing "Talking Union"--it's spoken rather than sung.
And in listening you will hear the problem with this book--some of the verses don't work well read aloud, and there is no consistent overall pattern. You will really have to work this book to make it work.
Despite this, the art is great--I mean this is Jim Arnosky and the verses are fun.It would be worth trying with a group. Just don't try reading it cold--this would need to be practiced in advance
And in listening you will hear the problem with this book--some of the verses don't work well read aloud, and there is no consistent overall pattern. You will really have to work this book to make it work.
Despite this, the art is great--I mean this is Jim Arnosky and the verses are fun.It would be worth trying with a group. Just don't try reading it cold--this would need to be practiced in advance
November 29, 2019
The kids love this one
May 9, 2024
"I'm a turkey, they call me Tom. / I got a turkey dad and a turkey mom." So begins the rhyming, sing-song narrative of this picture book from author / illustrator Jim Arnosky, who has created more than one hundred works of natural history for children. The simple text describes meleagrine life, from living in a large flock to peeping, squawking and gobbling to communicate, taking flight (yes, turkeys fly!) to hiding from predators...
Published in 2009, I'm a Turkey is the forty-eighth book I have read from Arnosky (what can I say? I'm a fan), and is a departure from many of his other titles that I have previously encountered. Although still informative on a basic level—readers and listeners will learn some basic facts about turkeys—it feels much more like a book just for fun, than many of its creator's other titles. Which isn't to say that his other books aren't entertaining—some of the early Crinkleroot books feel almost like ecological fairy-tales—just that this has a somewhat silly, lighthearted feeling absent from most of the other Arnosky books I have encountered. Apparently the words to the book came to the author while he was studying turkeys in the wild, and he even created a song to go along with them, which was once downloadable from the Scholastic site, and which can now be purchased from Arnosky on this site. Recommended to little turkeys, and to anyone seeking lighthearted picture books for young animal lovers.
Published in 2009, I'm a Turkey is the forty-eighth book I have read from Arnosky (what can I say? I'm a fan), and is a departure from many of his other titles that I have previously encountered. Although still informative on a basic level—readers and listeners will learn some basic facts about turkeys—it feels much more like a book just for fun, than many of its creator's other titles. Which isn't to say that his other books aren't entertaining—some of the early Crinkleroot books feel almost like ecological fairy-tales—just that this has a somewhat silly, lighthearted feeling absent from most of the other Arnosky books I have encountered. Apparently the words to the book came to the author while he was studying turkeys in the wild, and he even created a song to go along with them, which was once downloadable from the Scholastic site, and which can now be purchased from Arnosky on this site. Recommended to little turkeys, and to anyone seeking lighthearted picture books for young animal lovers.
November 12, 2017
I love using this book each year in my preschool science class. I've read a lot of the comments here about how there's an odd rhythm to this book, and it is a little odd if you haven't heard Jim Arnosky's recording of the story, which is set to music.
When I read this book aloud to my class, I walk them through the book first -- reading the text and explaining any new words, such as "Boeing 747", "wary", etc. Then we start the book again and this time, I tell the children that this time they will hear the story along with some music, and they are welcome to strum their imaginary guitar if they'd like. Then I play Arnosky's recording. They always love it!!
When I read this book aloud to my class, I walk them through the book first -- reading the text and explaining any new words, such as "Boeing 747", "wary", etc. Then we start the book again and this time, I tell the children that this time they will hear the story along with some music, and they are welcome to strum their imaginary guitar if they'd like. Then I play Arnosky's recording. They always love it!!
July 20, 2018
I'm a Turkey by Jim Arnosky is catchy and fun! This is a great rhyming sing-song, to read aloud to the kids around Thanksgiving. The words are very simple, catchy and it's very easy to read. I also like that there are a subtle facts about turkeys in the book as well. The perfect book for squirmy little ones as the story is short and sweet. The illustrations are also simple in design and pleasing to look at.
This is a perfect book to pair with Plump and Perky Turkey by Teresa Bateman, which I both read last year in November as part of our library's Toddler and Preschool story hour. We also made an accompanying turkey craft. It was really fun!
This is a perfect book to pair with Plump and Perky Turkey by Teresa Bateman, which I both read last year in November as part of our library's Toddler and Preschool story hour. We also made an accompanying turkey craft. It was really fun!
October 25, 2017
I did library story times for preschoolers for ten years and this was one of my favorites to use at Thanksgiving time. It's short enough to read to younger preschoolers, but it also imparts some true facts about wild turkeys. The rhyming text encourages emerging literacy skills and keeps their interest. I like the realistic details on the turkeys; they are not overly cartoonish like so many depictions of turkeys in picture books.
November 25, 2022
I downloaded the song and used it along with the book in my storytime when I was a children’s librarian. Big hit with the kids. Arnosky is a fabulous illustrator, and I frequently used his books with the kids. This was a good one to use around Thanksgiving when you really don’t want the kids to notice that the turkeys they are eating on the holiday are also the birds in a lot of the books in November.
November 12, 2019
Book Summary:
Through rhyme, Tom the Turkey describes what life is like among his large flock, from looking out for predators to communicating through turkey talk.
Mini-Review:
An amusing spoken-word song with fun turkey facts mixed in. As readers sing along, they will learn that turkeys weigh fifteen pounds and fly fifty miles per hour.
Through rhyme, Tom the Turkey describes what life is like among his large flock, from looking out for predators to communicating through turkey talk.
Mini-Review:
An amusing spoken-word song with fun turkey facts mixed in. As readers sing along, they will learn that turkeys weigh fifteen pounds and fly fifty miles per hour.
October 5, 2017
it's a very cute story about wild turkeys. I like that is simply about wild turkeys with some fun facts about them and not centered around eating and breeding them. The song is fun and I think kids would like it around thanksgiving time.
November 9, 2018
Cute, but the verse is really off in more than a few places, which makes it a challenging read-aloud. Maybe the song (as sung?) is better? Illustrations are great and highly entertaining/funny.
November 16, 2017
A quite book if you need to bring down the energy. Good for 4+, but limited "story."
December 24, 2017
I first ran across the book at the library. My sons loved it so much I purchased it. My husband, my parents, and myself know this book by heart without looking at it we’ve read it so much. Lol
May 17, 2018
Mildly informative with rhymes
October 10, 2018
This was really cute, and it would be easy to gobble along with the turkey
October 19, 2018
Might be weird for thanksgiving storytime
November 3, 2019
I've had a difficult time finding quality books about Thanksgiving. I try and read a bunch leading up to the holiday and while there's not much to choose from, this one is pretty good.
November 18, 2019
This would be a great resource to use during the month of November! It’s rhyming scheme is fun, and the illustrations are great! I will be sure to add this book to my list of resources.
Read
October 26, 2020Illustrations, rhyming, thematic value.
November 17, 2022
Thanksgiving Storytime
I use the song, but the catchy words were fun in and of themselves.
I use the song, but the catchy words were fun in and of themselves.
December 30, 2022
This had cute illustrations of turkeys. It was simple and fun, and has great vocabulary for kids. It doesn't mention Thanksgiving at all, which is nice if you are looking for a book like that.
April 16, 2024
Arnosky Adventure #5
Another take of animals, this one features the turkey, and Arnosky brings the field of animals alive to his readers.
Another take of animals, this one features the turkey, and Arnosky brings the field of animals alive to his readers.
April 29, 2024
A turkey describes his life living in a large flock in the wild. Fun!
July 4, 2024
Little ones will love this!
December 3, 2025
Cute but I didn’t like the use of incorrect grammar in a children’s book: “I got a Turkey Dad and a Turkey Mom. I got a turkey brother and a sister too.”
November 28, 2010
This is, out of the small number of Thanksgiving themed books we've read this holiday, the best of the best. I'm not sure if it's really a four star book or if it's shining brighter because of what came before it.
The text is in rhyme which is preferable to both of us. Julia loves when we find a good story that I can read to her and which has a nice, melodic flow to it. I can't say I disagree.
This is about turkeys and how they comminucate, live together, multiply, etc.
It's very, very short, there isn't much to it at all. I'd say it's under a minute total reading time. Apparently a song can be downloaded for free (my editions says) but we haven't gotten it.
This would be the book I'd recommend to a parent looking for a Thanksgiving holiday book for kids between the ages of baby-6 maybe? Julia is a little over 5 and she got a real kick out of it.
the illustrations are nothing spectacular but are enjoyable. The look on some of the turkeys faces are the best....
The text is in rhyme which is preferable to both of us. Julia loves when we find a good story that I can read to her and which has a nice, melodic flow to it. I can't say I disagree.
This is about turkeys and how they comminucate, live together, multiply, etc.
It's very, very short, there isn't much to it at all. I'd say it's under a minute total reading time. Apparently a song can be downloaded for free (my editions says) but we haven't gotten it.
This would be the book I'd recommend to a parent looking for a Thanksgiving holiday book for kids between the ages of baby-6 maybe? Julia is a little over 5 and she got a real kick out of it.
the illustrations are nothing spectacular but are enjoyable. The look on some of the turkeys faces are the best....
November 30, 2013
I'm a Turkey! is a fun Thanksgiving holiday book. Before Thanksgiving break this book would be fun to read aloud in a classroom. The students could interact with the book when the Turkey gobbles. This will grab the students attention and they will be eager to participate. If my classroom was working on predications in a book I will stop at certain points and ask the class what they think will happen next. This will help student learn to make predation when they read independent, which is an important skill to have when reading. Then, at the end of the book as a class we can compare their predictions with what actually happened. Even if they they do not predict what happens in the book it is important to encourage them that it was a good guess. My favorite part of this book was the visual display. On each page the words were scattered in a unique pattern to relate back to the text.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 75 reviews