Bound To Stay Bound

School Library Journal - 07/11/2025 PreS-Gr 2—A diverse group of crafty kids free a flock of turkeys from their pen and use increasingly zany costumes and props to disguise the birds as a long-lost aunt, an astronaut, a unicorn—anything but Thanksgiving dinner. Bright digital illustrations carry the slight story through to an impromptu parade featuring a feathery Farmer Byrd carrying a sign that proclaims, "All out of turkeys this year!" The real Farmer Byrd graciously brings a wagon full of vegetables for the neighborhood to share instead. Though the text suggests that the children are feeling stress, also conveyed in their exaggerated facial expressions and frenzied activity, no one seems to miss the main course or mind the extra avian guests. The cheerful rhyme scheme is uneven in meter and occasionally broken by page turns, which weakens its effect. Human characters are depicted with a range of skin tones and hair textures. VERDICT An additional purchase for the holiday shelves.—Jennifer Costa - Copyright 2025 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission.

Other - 07/28/2025 Platt’s jaunty rhymes chronicle a group of kids’ efforts to save a local flock of turkeys from becoming dinner in this message-forward Thanksgiving book about "our friends of beak and feather." Kids worried about the fate of a farm’s googly-eyed fowl enact a plan to disguise the threatened birds. Dressed as "Auntie June" with a string of pearls, astronaut "Beak Aldrin," and a "sparkly unicorn," the turkeys each miss detection. Finally, the enterprising youths wheel a suspiciously turkey-like "Farmer Byrd" around to deliver a transparent message: "All out of turkeys this year!" Crayon-like detailing gives Cleland’s over-the-top digital renderings a grade-school vibe as expressive children of various skin tones gleefully pull off their ruse. Luckily, all seem to agree: "Vegetarian-style meal?/ Think that has some great appeal!" Ages 4-8. (Sept.) - Copyright 2025