The Thanksgiving Door

by Debby Atwell

Book Overview

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... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0618240365
• ISBN13: 9780618240364
• Release Date: September 2003
• Publisher: Houghton Mifflin
• Length: 31 Pages
• Weight: 1.30 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.4" x 11.2" x 8.7"
• Age Range: 4 to 7 years
• Grade Range: Preschool to Grade 2

Customer Reviews

Why is it $120?

It is a good book. It was my daughter's favorite until the dog chewed it up, so I thought I'd check here if you have one available. Much to my dismay, it costs more than a full tank of gas!

In everything ... give thanks!

Our family of seven HIGHLY recommends this truly wonderful book. If you've ever burned dinner, or any part of a meal, you will smile (or maybe cry) as you read. Ann burns the turkey dinner and is glum. Ed recommends they try the new restaurant. The family operating the restaurant thought they were closed when the elderly couple enters. Everyone gets more than they expect. The final outcome? All things work together for good! I love to cook but if anything ever emits a hint that it's burning everyone giggles and immediately falls into discussing this book. A great addition to the holiday book shelf. You'll love it -- guaranteed! Interest age range at our house is 5 to 55.

Opening hearts and home on Thanksgiving.

Ann and Ed, an elderly couple, are alone on Thanksgiving, and Ann burns the dinner. Depressed, Ann goes off to iron, but Ed encourages her to go with him to a cafe. They walk in to find a large table festively decorated for Thanksgiving. From the kitchen, members of the immigrant family who own the cafe are peering out, wondering who left the front door open when the restaurant was closed, and what to do about these strangers that had wandered in on their family celebration. The children want to scare them away, but Grandmother urges them to invite the strangers to join them. Thus Ed and Ann are welcomed into an old-world celebration with family, feasting, music, and dancing. It's far different than any Thanksgiving they've ever had, and great fun. At day's end, they warmly thank their new friends and head home. Ann asks Ed what he's most thankful for on this wonderful day, and he replies, "I guess I'd have to say, my dear, that I'm most thankful that you burned our dinner." Ann happily agrees.

A happy story in a busy world

I purchased this book to read to my 2 neices ages 5 and 3. The 5 year old was able to read some of the words to and with me. They both enjoyed the story and ask their mother to read it to them on a regular basis. The story is a wonderful tale of sharing of company and culture with an older couple who would other wise had spent Thanksgiving alone without a proper dinner.

True Thanksgiving and sharing spirit. TERRIFIC find! Ukrainian/Russian heritage, too!

What an enjoyable book! Very different storyline than most Thanksgiving Day books, but the spirit of the holiday is wonderfully, accurately captured and very well conveyed. The writing style also is a bit unusual but fits the story. Our 5-year old really enjoyed the book (as did we!) and right away noticed the Ukrainian heritage (dancing) and names. TERRIFIC BOOK!

Deftly written and colorfully illustrated

Deftly written and colorfully illustrated by Debby Atwell, The Thanksgiving Door is the entertaining story of a family preparing their Thanksgiving celebration in the restaurant they own and run. When suddenly two strangers walk through the door unwittingly left open, the children try to scare away the undesired customers. But Grandmother in her wisdom invites them as guests and the children learn some sage lessons about what the Thanksgiving holiday spirit really means.