Hi there! I’m Ryan Leod, and I’m Craig Tovy. We’re so happy you’re here for Story Time with us. Today, we’re reading a fun book called “How to Catch a Turkey” by Adam Wallace and Andy Elkerton. Are you ready for an exciting adventure?
It’s Thanksgiving Day, and everyone is getting ready for a special play at school. But guess what? There’s a turkey who doesn’t want to be on stage! This turkey is super sneaky and decides to run away because he’s a little scared of being in the spotlight.
As soon as the turkey runs away, everyone starts chasing him! The kids try all sorts of things to catch him. They use plungers, magnets, and even a drone! But this turkey is really fast and clever. He runs into the science room, knocking over all kinds of things, and the loudspeakers shout, “Catch that turkey!”
The turkey is having a wild adventure! He dodges mashed potatoes, jumps over books, and even sneaks past chairs and desks. The kids try to catch him with a net and a frisbee, but he’s just too quick. He even hides in the jungle gym outside, but decides it’s safer to go back inside.
Finally, the principal joins the chase! The turkey runs into the coach’s room and gets tangled in jerseys. But then, he finds himself behind a curtain. When he peeks out, he realizes he’s on stage for the play!
At first, the turkey is nervous, but then he sees everyone cheering for him. A kid points and says, “Oh my gosh, he’s so cute!” The turkey starts to smile and even dances a little. The crowd loves him, and he feels so happy he took the chance to be on stage. Who knew he would become a star?
And that’s how you catch a turkey! The turkey becomes a mascot, and everyone has a great time. Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!
Before we go, we want to give a big shoutout to some special friends:
If you want your own shoutout, just visit Ryan.com and send us a message with your name!
Thanks for joining us for Story Time. We hope you enjoyed the adventure of catching a turkey!
Turkey Adventure Map: Create your own adventure map just like the turkey’s journey in the story. Draw a map showing all the places the turkey visited, like the science room, the jungle gym, and the stage. Use crayons or markers to make it colorful. Think about what other places the turkey might have visited if the story continued. Share your map with a friend and explain the turkey’s adventure!
Turkey Chase Game: Play a game of “Turkey Chase” with your friends or family. One person can be the turkey, and the others are the kids trying to catch the turkey. Use a soft ball or a scarf as the “net” to catch the turkey. Remember, the turkey is very clever and fast, so think of creative ways to catch them without running too fast. After the game, talk about what made it fun and how you felt being the turkey or the chaser.
Spotlight Moment: Just like the turkey, think about a time when you were nervous but decided to try something new. Draw a picture or write a short story about your “spotlight moment.” How did you feel before, during, and after? Share your story with the class or a family member. Discuss how trying new things can be exciting and rewarding, just like it was for the turkey.
Sure! Here’s a sanitized version of the transcript:
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Hey, I’m Ryan Leod and I’m Craig Tovy, and welcome to Story Time with Ryan Leod and Craig Tovy. Today’s book is “How to Catch a Turkey” by Adam Wallace and Andy Elkerton.
Craig, do you think this book answers any questions? I mean, just the obvious one—the meaning of life?
Let’s get started!
“How to Catch a Turkey” by Adam Wallace and Andy Elkerton. Here we are on Thanksgiving Day—it’s that special time of year. Yes, I know I am a turkey; that much should be clear. So gather around, I have a tale, and it’s really quite a story. What I tell you now is not a joke; it is my crowning glory.
It all began one year ago. I was out of school, you see. Play preparations were underway, but that didn’t matter to me. Some kids walked by in silly clothes, talking about the play. “We’ll even have a turkey on stage!” It’s perfect for Thanksgiving Day. A turkey on stage? No way! Had I really heard that right? I broke out of my pen and ran away with a case of bad stage fright.
I burst into the science room, knocked over flasks and beakers, and the cry of “Catch that turkey!” boomed over the loudspeakers.
I have to say, Craig, I don’t think we’re going to catch this turkey.
I agree with you. We threw our best stuff at it—plungers, a magnet, a drone. I hate to say it, but you win some, you lose some.
This turkey is in our heads! Oh, get out of our heads, turkey! We’re going to catch you; we’re not giving up!
Catch that turkey! Catch that turkey!
Now more children joined the chase with catapults and food, but their gooey mashed potatoes weren’t enough to keep me glued. Up next, there was a maze of books that stretched from wall to wall, but with a big hop and a mighty flap, I managed to escape it all. I ducked past chairs, bags, and desks—now that was quite the trick! The kids thought they could stop me here, but I was much too quick.
I ran outside to the jungle gym, thinking I could hide, but the recess yard was all tricked out. I’d have better luck inside.
I’m not trying to be negative, but I don’t think we’re going to catch this turkey. There’s no chance! I mean, we threw everything we had at it—a net, a mashed potato catapult, a frisbee. I hate to say this, but you win some, you lose some.
He’s back in our heads! Get out of my head, turkey!
Finally, the kids gave up, but the principal gave chase. My only hope of escaping her was keeping up my pace. I slid into the coach’s room and crashed into a chair. I got tangled up in jerseys, but I won’t get stuck in there. I ran into a curtain—there was nowhere else to go. I couldn’t get past the principal, but the curtain led to the show.
Well, there you have it—Craig’s in the show!
Yeah, I got past the principal! It’s over. You know what I say: you win some, you lose some.
Wait, but he is in the show! He’s on stage! We know where he is!
Catch the turkey! Watch it perform!
We’re coming! We’re going to be a great audience!
That’s right! I’m going to silence my cell phone; there will be no flash photography coming from me.
Yeah, you’re going to get a standing ovation at the end, turkey! Break a leg, turkey!
My heart was racing; I started to sweat. I couldn’t squawk or run. I took a deep breath—I can do this! Who knows, this might be fun! A kid stood up and pointed.
“Oh my gosh, he’s so cute!” he really is!
A parent agreed in his little mascot suit. I started to smile and even dance while the crowd continued to cheer. I was filled with joy that I took the chance, and that’s what started my mascot career.
Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!
Yeah, I never doubted it for a second! Take that, turkey—you got caught!
You know what I always say: I always win some, I never lose some!
And that is how you catch a turkey!
Thank you, thank you, thank you so much!
Do we hear an encore?
No, no, no! You two, stop!
And that’s how you catch a turkey!
Thanks for watching Story Time with Ryan Leod and Craig Tovy. Now it’s time for shoutouts!
Shoutout to Mrs. Jean’s room in Salina, Kansas!
Ethan Brown in Newfoundland, Canada!
Mrs. Little’s class in North County, St. Louis!
Pandora in Sydney, Australia!
Enrique in New York City!
And remember, if you want your very own shoutout, all you have to do is go to Ryan.com and send us a message. Just ask for a shoutout, and make it very clear to us with your name!
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Let me know if you need any further modifications!
