Guest Author - Lisa Shea

To celebrate Thanksgiving this year, have your child trace his or her hand, thumb sticking out, on a piece of paper. This makes a lovely turkey shape!

The feathers can be colored in with different colors, and the head decorated with a hat or scarf, whatever the child wants. Add on a pair of legs and you're all set!

Here are some fun turkey facts to share with your young artist!

* Turkeys were incredibly important for pilgrims and Native Americans. The turkey meat provded a great source of protein and nutrients.

* Turkey feathers were used in blankets to keep people warm during winter's dark nights.

* The "spurs" on a male turkey's legs were used as arrowheads, helping ensure families could get more food.

* The best turkey feathers would be used as stabilizing feathers on arrows, helping them to fly straight and true.

* The more decorative feathers from male turkeys would be used as decorations on headdresses and outfits.

* Benjamin Franklin loved the turkey and felt it represented America far better than the eagle did. He said, "The turkey is a much more respectable bird, and withal a true original Native of America." He felt the eagle was a creature that preyed on others, while the turkey was honorable, lived well with its environment and helped to sustain others.

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