A tale reminiscent of "The Little Red Hen" introduces Turkey Tot, whose optimism and inventiveness are not to be trifled with. Determined to reach the fat blackberries hanging from a high bush, Turkey Tot repeatedly tries to get Chick, Pig, and Hen to help with his plans to reach them. If they had balloons to go with the string he found they could float up. With sticks he could use the hammer and nails he found to make a ladder. What about a teeter-totter out of a board? Chick, Pig, and Hen are consistently critical of Turkey Tot's ideas. "He's been different since the day he hatched." George Shannon's lively and amusing story is wonderfully paced, with a playful refrain and satisfying ending that pays tribute to Turkey Tot's perseverance, creativity, and pluck. Jennifer K. Mann's quirky illustrations are a perfect fit-the image of Turkey Tot on his tin-can stilts is not to be missed. (Ages 3-7)

No sweet treat today! Those yummy-looking blackberries are out of reach. But Turkey Tot has found some string. He asks his friends to help him find a balloon so they can float up to the berries. But the friends find the idea preposterous. "He's been different since the day he was hatched," says Hen. Turkey Tot doesn't find balloons, but he does gather two cans, a hammer, and nail--and voilà! Stilts help Turkey Tot reach the berries. Budding engineers and other creative-minded kids will love Turkey Tot's optimism and can-do spirit.