From Publishers Weekly
Miguel has two worries about Thanksgiving: Will his Papa, a trucker, make it home in time? And will his pet turkey become the entree? This crackling tale is set in New York City, where Gracias, the turkey, takes walks on a leash, is stolen, recovered and, when blessed by a priest, is thankfully deemed unroastable. Cepeda (The Cat's Meow) captures the story's sunny disposition with gaily composed, Latin-flavored oil paintings. Ages 4-8. Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.


From School Library Journal
Kindergarten-Grade 2-Miguel, a Puerto Rican boy in New York City, receives a surprise package from his absentee truck-driving father-a gigantic wooden crate with the message: "Fatten this turkey for Thanksgiving. I'll be home to share it with you. Love from Papa." What ensues is a humorous story of Miguel's increasing attachment to the bird he nicknames Gracias. His new amiga follows him everywhere, even to Mass. Will Miguel be able to save Gracias from being seasoned and cooked? Can Papa make it home in time for the holidays? This picture book, illustrated with colorful oil paintings, offers a heartwarming narrative that captures the boy's close-knit sense of community and family.Selene S. Vasquez, New York Public LibraryCopyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.


From Booklist
Ages 3^-7. Little Miguel lives in a New York City apartment with his grandparents and his aunt, while his truck-driving father is on the road. Papa sends Miguel a turkey to fatten for Thanksgiving, but the boy names the bird Gracias and loves him as a pet. As the holiday approaches, Gracias' fate looms darkly over the festivities. However, when Gracias follows Miguel to church and receives Padre Jaime's blessing, even Abuelo and Abuela concede that they must have chicken for Thanksgiving, because "no one can eat a turkey that's been blessed." Cowley creates a distinctive, modern setting for the old theme of a turkey who sits at rather than on the Thanksgiving table. Although city life is not idealized (at one point a thief steals Gracias), most of the neighbors in Miguel's multiethnic community take a friendly interest in the boy and his bird. The inclusion of Spanish words within the text is handled well, with most meanings evident from the context, but a short glossary also appears on the last page. Cepeda's oil paintings, reminiscent of Ezra Jack Keats' illustrations, vividly create Miguel's colorful, sympathetic community as well as individual characters. Carolyn Phelan


Card catalog description
Trouble ensues when Papa gets Miguel a turkey to fatten up for Thanksgiving and Miguel develops an attachment to it.

ANNOTATION

Trouble ensues when Papa gets Miguel a turkey to fatten up for Thanksgiving and Miguel develops an attachment to it.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

In this warm holiday story, a young Puerto Rican boy saves the life of his pet turkey with help from his close-knit New York City family and neighborhood. Beginning Spanish vocabulary is woven into the text. Four color.

FROM THE CRITICS

Publishers Weekly

Miguel has two worries about Thanksgiving: Will his Papa, a trucker, make it home in time? And will his pet turkey become the entree? This crackling tale is set in New York City, where Gracias, the turkey, takes walks on a leash, is stolen, recovered and, when blessed by a priest, is thankfully deemed unroastable. Cepeda (The Cat's Meow) captures the story's sunny disposition with gaily composed, Latin-flavored oil paintings. Ages 4-8. (Oct.)

Children's Literature - Jan Lieberman

A turkey, a gift from Papa, arrives with instructions to fatten it up for Thanksgiving. Since their N.Y. City apartment is not a farm, Miguel and his abuelo build a cage and Miguel reads up on the care and feeding of turkeys. The neighbors know about the bird and help in the care of the turkey. The problem is who can eat a turkey who has a name, follows you to church, and is blessed by the Priest? Chicken anyone?

School Library Journal