Matthew and the Midnight Turkeys

Annette Lindsay was a special education teacher in Toronto.

Matthew is a seemingly ordinary little boy who lives with his mother. She occasionally calls him a “turkey,” an act that appears to trigger the arrival of the midnight turkeys. As in Matthew’s previous adventures with the midnight tow truck driver, we are once again swept into the fantasy world every child wishes for.

The giant turkeys fall into Matthew’s trap in the garden, where they cavort and play with toys Matthew has thrown in for their amusement. They even order in pizza. Matthew frolics along with them delightedly. Then, in the wee small hours, while mother is still sleeping, they all traipse into the kitchen to prepare a splendid if somewhat surreal breakfast.

The turkeys depart; Matthew falls asleep exhausted, soon to be awakened by his mother, who bemusedly eyes the mess left behind on her kitchen table. Did it really happen? Surely it was all a dream. Even seven-year-old readers are not so sure.

Michael Martchenko’s illustrations are vibrant, a splendid match for the lively, slightly off-beat writing style of Allen Morgan. The story is good for young children, but even more exciting for primary school age youngsters, who will enjoy the flight into fantasy as they read for themselves.