Dear People,

We live at the Lodi Shelter. As you will see if you visit us; we are all adorable. We haven't read this book, but only because we can't read. We have heard from "our people" here at the shelter that this book should be in every child's library. So, we decided to write a review, because we want to help ourselves. Also, because we are clever we are signing our name as AAAAAAAnimals. That way we will be the first alphabetically listed. That is pretty smart of us, huh?

Our request is this, please urge your friends to buy this book and ask them to tell their friends about it. Promotions for this book project are grassroots and word-of-mouth. We aren't sure what that means, but we're thinking it means that a bunch of people will have to help. Will you be one of those people?

And, while you are telling folks about this book, will you remind everyone that we are at the shelter waiting for new homes? We come in all shapes and sizes, and we have every type of personality that you could want from lively to super laid back. But, regardless of our differences, we all have two things in common. We don't have our own family, and we don't have our own home.

We know when a committed group of people set their minds to do something that it will get done. Your support for this book project will help our devoted PALS people improve our lives. They are the best. So are you. We thank you all, a lot.

When I'm in the office, I rarely hear ‘big picture’ thinking. I hear about our numbers this month. I hear about current profit margins. At home, it's our fuel budget. It's how we're going to finish paying back student loans. That makes up 2/3 of my day. The other third I spend praying I can forget about all of it long enough to turn off my brain and sleep. However, once in a great while it dawns on me that the money I obsess over makes up about one one-thousandth of what it means to be alive. There is so much more to life, and yet I confine myself to that tiny crevasse, pacing incessantly inside of it, unable to see out.

Tom Kettleman---The People’s Turkey gives people at all levels a glance out of that ditch into which we dig ourselves. It gives a glance at a bigger picture.

Why is the big picture important? The simple answer is because we are important. Our children's view of themselves and the world is important. If stock statements, bank balances, and impressive toys are all there is to life, then I am wrong. If not, there is so much more to teach future generations, and this book cuts to the heart of it in a very simple, straight-forward way. It’s the kind of book that I wish I had written, but deep down I am simply grateful that its message exists.

Shortly after I dove into the story I was transported back to my childhood, to times when life was simpler and had more suspense and surprise. It reminded me of the hunting lessons my family taught me, especially my grandfather, where we stressed the honor and gift that the animal represented if harvested. I only harvested a few birds in my life, and certainly never a turkey; however, a few pheasants and a duck or two graced our family's table during the holiday season throughout the years.

Today I can say I will never hunt again. I do not feel the need or desire to do so. However, I can say by reading this story about Turkey Tom Kettleman that I have a clearer perspective on how he can stand as a positive role model and a fascinating figure to children and adults alike. I trust that the purpose of the book will be warmly embraced. May it strengthen our support of PALS and the great service PALS provides to our community.

I visited the web-page for this book, the gorgeous photographs of bucolic local scenery at Lodi Lake and the Mokelumne River, combined with spiritual poetry and thoughts from some of history's best philosophical thinkers, is wonderful. The story for children, in Tom Kettleman's voice, is charming and inspiring. I hope our community will embrace this unique project. PALS is a fabulous local organization. They certainly deserve our support. Donna Pacini-Christensen and Joe Garcia, thank you for donating this book to such a worthy cause as PALS.

A turkey personified as a person? Why not? There is an unassailable message coming from the wild turkey named Tom Kettleman, who I will just call TK.

Perhaps TK was transported by some alien force from his peaceful rural environment to a traffic-ridden four-lane intersection. Donna Pacini-Christensen captures this setting and message in her story about TK’s encounter with a young boy named Alex. TK advises Alex about slowing down and enjoying the beauty that surrounds us.

If you are a parent, take time to find a quiet, secluded place and read this story to your children. If you do not have young people in your household, do the same, including reading it out loud. It may take some time to process the message, and perhaps even longer and harder to implement it. However, imagine the pleasure you'll get when you realize you've learned something from a turkey!

Donna Pacini-Christensen has gathered an inspired collection of wise observations on this web-page that Tom Kettleman obviously took to heart in his day to day life at the intersection of Kettleman Lane and Lower Sacramento Road.

Along with beautiful photographs, Joe Garcia's wonderful art, and YouTube web-links for fun "turkey" related videos, this web-page and Donna's story should be absorbed by any of us ready to learn and be encouraged by the wonders and opportunities that surround us at every turn. Please share this well-written book with all your friends!

In America, the traditional Thanksgiving turkey is a product of factory farming and few children are involved in the preparation of the big annual meal. The sources of their food remain a mystery. At the first Thanksgiving, a wild turkey like Tom was hunted locally and the meal was a symbol of nature's bounty to young and old alike. May this story of Tom Kettleman help all of us remember the joy of a successful fall harvest and respect for our natural surroundings.

The first section of this short book starts as a delightful read with a storyline that will engage both children and adults. Tom Kettleman---The People's Turkey is a story that is a tapestry of hope and living a mindful-life. Its pages are filled with allegory and metaphor that is meant to be food-for-thought, for all times - present and future to come. The second section of this book is filled with fun facts on the history and the habits of wild turkeys, which I found equally fascinating.

One of my favorite lines from the book is, "I have not been stuck in Lodi. I chose to be here." It made me laugh out loud and caused me to see in my minds-eye, a wild turkey in a reflection of clear water. This is a book filled with credence and a great read indeed.

As I read the story, Tom Kettleman---The People's Turkey, my frown from hearing of such an unfortunate event literally turned upside-down as I read on. The ending quote with the photographs on the web-page, "You only live once, but if you do it right, once is enough." still resonates in my heart. Mae West was definitely on to something, as was Tom Kettleman.

Most certainly nature has a way of teaching us to slow down, to feel the gentle breeze on our faces, to smell the mist in the air, and to enjoy the dirt beneath our bare feet. Even with all our modern technology and luxuries, may we never forget to tap into our wild raw person that will inevitably inspire countless others to do the same.

It is sad to see truly wild animals dwindling in number, but from this loss comes a heap of awareness. Thank you Donna Pacini-Christensen and Joe Garcia for creating a relaxing and inspiring read for all who are fortunate enough to come across this book.