TURKEY TROT

In Blue and Wilcox’s picture book, a turkey competes against an arrogant raccoon in a footrace for a special prize.

This rhyming harvest-time adventure follows Gibby, a spirited turkey eager to give her Grammy the perfect Thanksgiving gift —a heart-shaped rock perched atop a mountain peak. Along with her best friend, a rabbit named Roni, she gathers treasures for the holiday. The brash raccoon Stinky Brix and his crew challenge Gibby to a race for the prize of the heart-shaped rock (“I’ll win by a mile”), and Gibby’s confidence flags. Her training for the race (she’s coached by Roni) is marked by reversals, including storms, doubts, and moments of feeling too slow. Young readers are reminded of how a few kind words can lift someone’s spirits as Roni cheers Gibby on. Blue and Wilcox’s picture book draws readers in with its feather-light touch, offering just enough warmth and whimsy; Patino’s illustrations add color and a gentle charm. The spirit of Thanksgiving runs throughout the story, reminding readers that real victories in life come from kindness, caring, and helping one another. (The prize isn’t the rock, but the happiness that flows from giving and sharing with the ones you love.) This is a perfect tale to read aloud during the holiday season and will have children laughing out loud.

A sweet and gently humorous story that offers a fresh spin on the Thanksgiving holiday.