I Would Love You Even If You Burned the Christmas Turkey

Third in the I Would Love You Even If series, the Christmas turkey doesn't fare too well in this story! Gramma burns the turkey and it brings back a holiday memory she shares with her grandchildren about the Pickle family and the Christmas tree.

This delightful early reader is fun for the whole family. Beautifully illustrated by Ashley Teets, this Christmas tale will bring forth family stories from your own memories, so sit down, read and share quality family time with I Would Love You Even If You Burned the Christmas Turkey.

“Like a mug of hot chocolate and a snuggly blanket, this book is perfect for Christmas. Beautifully illustrated and written, your children will love this magical and gentle affirmation of the true meaning of the season.”

—Elaine Williams Crockett, Award Winning Author

“I Would Love You Even If You Burned the Turkey had me smiling at the first page flip. In a world that strives for the picture worthy holiday, I love that this book highlights real life mess ups and the love of family that rises to the top in those moments. This message of grace pulls us back to the true meaning of Christmas and the life-giving grace we find in Jesus.”

—Angela Liner, Licensed Counselor About the Author Award-winning author Bucleigh Newton Kernodle is a Charlotte native and has always had a passion for creative writing. Inspired by her ninth-grade teacher to spread her wings and sparked to push her limit at Elon University by her communications professors, and her editors at the Charlotte Business Journal, all culminated into a desire to write children’s books. Her first two books, Creative Child Magazine Book of the Year I Would Love You Even If You Were A Pickle and I Would Love You Even If You Were A Tomato are both Gold Mom’s Choice Award Winners.

Her faith in God is where she finds her direction. She cherishes being a wife, mother, and daughter to her loving family, and they have never stopped believing in her.

Christmas Turkey Bucleigh Newton Kernodle illustrated by Ashley Teets

Bucleigh Newton Kernodle

About the Illustrator Award-winning author and illustrator, Ashley Teets, is a summa cum laude graduate of Alderson Broaddus College with a B.F.A in visual art with a minor in creative writing. After two semesters of graduate work at West Virginia University, she continued her graduate study through the Simmons College satellite graduate program at the Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art in Amherst, Massachusetts.

She holds a Masters in Arts Administration through the University of Kentucky and is a graduate of Don Bluth University. Ashley is also a portrait artist, muralist and art instructor. For more information visit www.AshleyTeetsIllustration.

I Would Love You Even If You Burned The Christmas Turkey

“The creative genius that is Bucleigh Kernodle, has done it again! The story, the rhymes, the fun. this book is wonderful. This is an incredible story for children about the message of God’s love and the true meaning of Christmas. It also serves as a beautiful reminder for all of us as we so often seem to lose our focus during the holiday season. This will be a favorite in our home for years to come!”

—Lori Keller, Lead EC Teacher (Exceptional Children)

I Would Love You Even If You Burned the

I Would Love You Even If You Burned The Christmas Turkey

by Bucleigh Newton Kernodle illustrated by Ashley Teets copyright ©2021 Bucleigh Newton Kernodle All rights reserved. This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents, except where noted otherwise, are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any other resemblance to actual people, places or events is entirely coincidental. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any other form or for any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopy, recording or any information storage system, without written permission from Headline Books.

To order additional copies of this book, or for book publishing information, or to contact the author: Headline Kids P. O. Box 52 Terra Alta, WV 26764 Email: mybook@headlinebooks.com www.headlinebooks.com Lucas Kelly—Design/Layout Published by Headline Books Headline Kids is an imprint of Headline Books ISBN-13: 9781951556402

Library of Congress Control Number: 2020945457

P R I N T E D I N T H E U N I T E D STAT E S OF A M E R IC A

When everything seems to go sour And you don’t even know the hour Have faith in God, the great One above He’ll always show us unconditional love.

To Jammie: This book is for you, Mom. You bring an instant warmth and comfort to your grandchildren each time they see you. No one can ignite their genuine happiness like you can. Time and time again, you have taught them the true meaning of unconditional love. Through good times and bad, you always provide devotion, honesty and truth. You have created a sturdy foundation in your reciprocated love together and I know, none of you will ever let it crumble. You’re amazing in every way. We love you so much. They are sincerely blessed to call you their Jammie.

4

When Miller and Myah came to Grandma’s for a visit, A nasty stink filled the air. They had to ask, “What is it?”

It was in the kitchen, the oven to be exact...

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Grandma forgot the turkey and that’s just a fact!

“Oh no!” she screamed, opening the oven door.

It was smokey, burned turkey galore!

“I’m so sorry,” Grandma cried, “I ruined our meal!

I’m so sad about this, that’s just how I feel…”

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The kids hugged her, just to let her know If she made slimy spinach or sweet hot cocoa They’ll always love her anyway.

Mistakes happen, even during the holiday.

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She thanked them for their kindness as they climbed up on her knee She said, “This reminds me of The Pickle Family in the Christmas tree.”

“The Pickle family?” Myah asked with surprise.

“Living in the tree?” Miller tried to visualize.

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“Yes!” Grandma exclaimed. “It was full of twinkly lights.

And the Dill family loved all of the bright sights.

But there was a time when things weren’t so pretty.

The treats, the gifts, even their tree all looked very gritty.”

“Christmas could’ve been a real fiasco.

It all began with mislabeled tabasco!”

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“The Dill children frosted cookies, icing of red and white, No one was looking, but Sister snuck in a big bite.

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What she thought would be sweet…”

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“Blasted her mouth with fiery heat!”

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“YOWWWWWWCH!” Sister screamed.

Gulping milk, as her mouth steamed.

“EWWWW!!!!!! That’s not milk!” Sister groaned with a gag.

“Spoiled egg nog!” Brother said and gave her a trash bag.

17

Brother had enough cookie decorating.

His sister’s screaming—too aggravating!

It was time to finish his wood carving of Rudolph.

But what happened? The antlers! All. Chewed. Off!

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“No! Gherkin!” yelled Brother Dill, at the pickle dog.

“You’ve ruined my carving! Now… it’s a macaroni frog!?”

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Meanwhile, Daddy Dill was hanging a Christmas wreath when he heard a hissing sound coming from underneath.

A snake, an owl, maybe a cat?

Oh, please, Daddy thought, don’t be a bat.

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Bravely, he reached around the tree’s trunk, Only to find...

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...a furry, stinky skunk!

Before he could ask for help, Gherkin ran in yapping, “YELP!�

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The skunk was so startled, it sprayed in a spree.

It sprayed Daddy and Gherkin; even the tree!

23

Mama had just sipped some apple cider, When suddenly dropped in a hairy black spider.

It landed on top of her head!

(Why didn’t it land on a branch instead?)

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Sister came in. “Mama, what’s on your head?”

Mama Dill reached up with utter sheer dread.

She shrieked. It was the loudest high-pitched sound That every ornament cracked and fell to the ground.

25

“Sweet Pickle,” Daddy Dill said, as he entered the room, “What happened?” he asked with a voice of gloom.

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Tears ran down Mama Dill’s face. The children cried too.

“No Way!” Daddy Dill said. “Our Christmas won’t be blue.

Christmas isn’t about ornaments, the tree or the snow.

It’s not the gifts, the lights, or chocolate chip cookie dough.

It’s being together and above all else, LOVE. And these are the lessons we learned from the great One above.”

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“Exactly,” said Brother, “even with the chaos and messes, Love always wins because God’s there to bless us.”

They hugged and laughed about the stuff they had to clean But together they will tackle the mess with LOVE in between.

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“So,” Grandma asked, “what is Christmas really about?”

Miller answered. “Jesus was born on Christmas to save us from sin and doubt.”

“Exactly” she said. “Food and gifts are nice, but not the true meaning.”

“Giving to others, goodwill, and together time,” Myah said beaming.

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Before the end of the memorable day Myah had just one thing left to say.

“Grandma, I would love you even if you burned the turkey.”

Miller joined in, “And all we have to eat is bubble-gum jerky!”

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Third in the I Would Love You Even If series, the Christmas turkey doesn't fare too well in this story! Gramma burns the turkey and it brings back a holiday memory she shares with her grandchildren about the Pickle family and the Christmas tree.

This delightful early reader is fun for the whole family. Beautifully illustrated by Ashley Teets, this Christmas tale will bring forth family stories from your own memories, so sit down, read and share quality family time with I Would Love You Even If You Burned the Christmas Turkey.

“Like a mug of hot chocolate and a snuggly blanket, this book is perfect for Christmas. Beautifully illustrated and written, your children will love this magical and gentle affirmation of the true meaning of the season.”

—Elaine Williams Crockett, Award Winning Author

“I Would Love You Even If You Burned the Turkey had me smiling at the first page flip. In a world that strives for the picture worthy holiday, I love that this book highlights real life mess ups and the love of family that rises to the top in those moments. This message of grace pulls us back to the true meaning of Christmas and the life-giving grace we find in Jesus.”

—Angela Liner, Licensed Counselor About the Author Award-winning author Bucleigh Newton Kernodle is a Charlotte native and has always had a passion for creative writing. Inspired by her ninth-grade teacher to spread her wings and sparked to push her limit at Elon University by her communications professors, and her editors at the Charlotte Business Journal, all culminated into a desire to write children’s books. Her first two books, Creative Child Magazine Book of the Year I Would Love You Even If You Were A Pickle and I Would Love You Even If You Were A Tomato are both Gold Mom’s Choice Award Winners.

Her faith in God is where she finds her direction. She cherishes being a wife, mother, and daughter to her loving family, and they have never stopped believing in her.

Christmas Turkey Bucleigh Newton Kernodle illustrated by Ashley Teets

Bucleigh Newton Kernodle

About the Illustrator Award-winning author and illustrator, Ashley Teets, is a summa cum laude graduate of Alderson Broaddus College with a B.F.A in visual art with a minor in creative writing. After two semesters of graduate work at West Virginia University, she continued her graduate study through the Simmons College satellite graduate program at the Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art in Amherst, Massachusetts.

She holds a Masters in Arts Administration through the University of Kentucky and is a graduate of Don Bluth University. Ashley is also a portrait artist, muralist and art instructor. For more information visit www.AshleyTeetsIllustration.

I Would Love You Even If You Burned The Christmas Turkey

“The creative genius that is Bucleigh Kernodle, has done it again! The story, the rhymes, the fun. this book is wonderful. This is an incredible story for children about the message of God’s love and the true meaning of Christmas. It also serves as a beautiful reminder for all of us as we so often seem to lose our focus during the holiday season. This will be a favorite in our home for years to come!”

—Lori Keller, Lead EC Teacher (Exceptional Children)

I Would Love You Even If You Burned the