Turkey Trouble by Wendi Silvano

In Turkey Trouble, a clever turkey realizes that Thanksgiving is just around the corner—and he’s the main course! To save himself, he comes up with a series of hilarious disguises to hide from the farmer, each more creative than the last. This laugh-out-loud story keeps students guessing what Turkey will do next while weaving in themes of problem-solving, perseverance, and quick thinking.

This book is a classroom favorite because it invites imagination, laughter, and critical thinking—all in one short read. Whether you’re reading it for fun or using it as part of a literacy or writing lesson, it’s an easy story to extend into meaningful, standards-based learning.

Learning Extensions & Classroom Ideas   
 

Literacy & Writing:

• Character Problem/Solution: Identify Turkey’s main problem and discuss how his creative disguises help him find a solution.
• Sequencing: Have students retell the story using sequence cards or a comic strip of Turkey’s disguises.
• Writing Extension: Write an opinion piece or persuasive letter from Turkey’s point of view—“Why You Shouldn’t Eat Me!”
• Creative Writing: Invite students to design their own disguise for Turkey and write a short narrative about what happens next.   
   

STEM Connection:

• Turkey Disguise Challenge: Provide craft materials and have students engineer a disguise that would best help Turkey blend into a new setting.
• Problem-Solving Design: Use digital tools or recycled materials to create “Turkey’s Hideout 2.0.”
• SEL/Discussion Prompts:
  • “How did Turkey handle his problem?”
  • “When have you had to think creatively to solve something tricky?”
  • “Why is it important to stay calm and keep trying when things don’t go your way?”   
     

If You Like Turkey Trouble, Try These: 

• A Plump and Perky Turkey by Teresa Bateman — Another humorous Thanksgiving tale about outsmarting humans.
• The Great Turkey Race by Steve Metzger — A fun story about teamwork and competition.
• Run, Turkey, Run! by Diane Mayr — Perfect for younger students, with repetition and predictable text.
• Twas the Night Before Thanksgiving by Dav Pilkey — A silly rhyming story that older students can compare and contrast with Turkey Trouble.
• How to Catch a Turkey by Adam Wallace — Great for a K–5 STEM tie-in or cause-and-effect lesson.
• Turkey Claus by Wendi Silvano — The perfect follow-up story to continue Turkey’s adventures after Thanksgiving.