Debby Atwell’s warm, original Thanksgiving story starts with a small disaster when Ann burns the Thanksgiving dinner she and Ed were going to share in their quiet home. Wanting to make the best of things, the older couple heads to the New World Café. They’ve unknowingly wandered into a family celebration: the immigrant family that runs the new restaurant is about to sit down to their first Thanksgiving meal. The younger family members are horrified at the intrusion (“Who left the front door open?”), but Grandmother, who just might know something about that door, sets them straight. “Family cooks turkey big as a doghouse, but we don’t share? Bah!” Ann and Ed are swept up in a joyful, raucous celebration that blends old world traditions with new. Atwell’s lively folk-art illustrations show a family of Eastern European immigrants generously welcoming Ann and Ed into their midst. (Ages 5–9)

When Ed and Ann’s turkey dinner burns, they think their Thanksgiving is ruined. But what appears to be a disaster becomes a blessing in disguise when Ed and Ann unknowingly intrude on an immigrant family’s own Thanksgiving celebration at their new restaurant, The New World Café. Once Grandmother silences her despairing family and invites the unexpected customers to join them, they all share an evening of friendship, good food, and lots of dancing—reminding everyone that Thanksgiving is about opening one’s heart in welcome to the strangers who become friends and the disappointments that bring unexpected joys.

This story of a holiday mishap turned wonderful reminds us what Thanksgiving is all about.

• A Thanksgiving Tradition: Perfect for families to share and discuss the meaning of gratitude, especially when plans go wrong like Ed and Ann’s burned dinner.
• Kindness to Strangers: When an immigrant family opens their door at The New World Café, everyone learns that welcoming others is the best part of the holiday.
• Community and Sharing: From sharing a meal to dancing the conga, this story celebrates the joy that comes from bringing different people together.
• Social Emotional Learning: A gentle lesson in empathy, resilience, and finding happiness even when things don’t go as planned.