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In November
In November, the air grows cold and the earth and all of its creatures prepare for winter. Animals seek food and shelter. And people gather together to celebrate their blessings with family and friends.
Cynthia Rylant's lyrical language and Jill Kastner's rich, cozy paintings capture the cherished moments of this autumn month--the moments we spend together and the ones we witness in the world around us.
Cynthia Rylant's lyrical language and Jill Kastner's rich, cozy paintings capture the cherished moments of this autumn month--the moments we spend together and the ones we witness in the world around us.
32 pages, Hardcover
First published September 15, 2000
8 people are currently reading
645 people want to read
About the author
Cynthia Rylant
513 books859 followersAn author of fiction, nonfiction, and poetry for children and young adults as well as an author and author/illustrator of picture books for children, Cynthia Rylant is recognized as a gifted writer who has contributed memorably to several genres of juvenile literature. A prolific author who often bases her works on her own background, especially on her childhood in the West Virginia mountains, she is the creator of contemporary novels and historical fiction for young adults, middle-grade fiction and fantasy, lyrical prose poems, beginning readers, collections of short stories, volumes of poetry and verse, books of prayers and blessings, two autobiographies, and a biography of three well-known children's writers; several volumes of the author's fiction and picture books are published in series, including the popular "Henry and Mudge" easy readers about a small boy and his very large dog.
Rylant is perhaps most well known as a novelist. Characteristically, she portrays introspective, compassionate young people who live in rural settings or in small towns and who tend to be set apart from their peers.
from bookrags.com
Rylant is perhaps most well known as a novelist. Characteristically, she portrays introspective, compassionate young people who live in rural settings or in small towns and who tend to be set apart from their peers.
from bookrags.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 178 reviews
November 14, 2019
For the most part and generally, I have indeed with In November found both Cynthia Rylant's narrative and Jill Kastner's accompanying artwork engagingly evocative, mirroring one another delightfully, imaginatively yet also realistically, and as such both verbally and illustratively demonstrating how November is both autumnal and yet already wintery, with trees shedding what is left of their leaves, with birds either flying south for the winter or preparing themselves for remaining and surviving during the months of ice and snow, with mice and bees hunkering down to hibernate. And basically In November therefore bids "goodbye" to the fall and says "hello" and "welcome" to the winter season, a bit grudgingly on in particular author Cynthia Rylant's part in my opinion, but still I have found In November textually sweet and whilst not too openly enthusiastic about winter still seeing and showing it as an important and necessary season and time of rest, of dormancy until springtime comes again (and I certainly aesthetically do feel that especially Jill Kastner's out of doors illustrations do indeed and to and for my eyes absolutely glorify and celebrate the coming of winter not as a season to fear but as a season to also appreciate for what it provides, namely snow, silence, with even the leafless trees being depicted as positive monuments of peace and stillness).
Warmly (and with a bit of a winter based pun intended) recommended (but if you are reading In November with or to Canadian youngsters, you might well want to point out that Thanksgiving in November is an American holiday tradition and that in Canada, we celebrate Thanksgiving in October). And yes, I also do have to admit that the Thanksgiving parts in In November, that indeed ALL of the sections dealing with humans, dealing with the indoors, have not really resonated all that strongly with me and are certainly not as lovely to and for both my reading and viewing pleasure as the outdoor scenes, as the scenarios featuring nature and how wild animals are preparing for winter.
Warmly (and with a bit of a winter based pun intended) recommended (but if you are reading In November with or to Canadian youngsters, you might well want to point out that Thanksgiving in November is an American holiday tradition and that in Canada, we celebrate Thanksgiving in October). And yes, I also do have to admit that the Thanksgiving parts in In November, that indeed ALL of the sections dealing with humans, dealing with the indoors, have not really resonated all that strongly with me and are certainly not as lovely to and for both my reading and viewing pleasure as the outdoor scenes, as the scenarios featuring nature and how wild animals are preparing for winter.
November 1, 2021
دافئة وجميلة كنوڤمبر 🧡🍁🍂🧡
"In November, animals sleep more, the air is chilly.
In November, cats pile up in the corners.
And dogs lie before the fire.
In November, the smell of food is different.
It is an orange smell.
In November, people are good to each other. They carry pies to each other's homes and talk by crackling woodstoves"
01.11.2021
"In November, animals sleep more, the air is chilly.
In November, cats pile up in the corners.
And dogs lie before the fire.
In November, the smell of food is different.
It is an orange smell.
In November, people are good to each other. They carry pies to each other's homes and talk by crackling woodstoves"
01.11.2021
September 3, 2024
Rating: 3.5
This is a short, quiet, visually beautiful picture book, which consists of poetic prose rather than a narrative. Rylant’s focus is on the micro season that occurs just before winter. She notes some of the changes the natural world is undergoing, and she addresses activities in the human world—specifically, American Thanksgiving.
The author’s writing is lovely—her similes and metaphors carefully chosen. Here are a few examples:
“the earth is growing quiet. It is making its bed, a winter bed for flowers and small creatures. The bed is white and silent, and much life can hide beneath its blankets.”
“the trees are standing all sticks and bones. Without their leaves, how lovely they are, spreading their arms like dancers.”
“In November, at winter’s gate, the stars are brittle. The sun is a sometime friend.”
While I admire the work, I admit that I am not overly keen on plotless picture books. Furthermore, as a citizen of the country to the north of the U.S., I feel the book’s content isn’t entirely suitable for a Canadian audience. I’ve seen it recommended as a “mentor text”—a model to be used for students’ descriptive writing. I’ll give it that, but I don’t see it as an essential addition to a classroom or school library.
This is a short, quiet, visually beautiful picture book, which consists of poetic prose rather than a narrative. Rylant’s focus is on the micro season that occurs just before winter. She notes some of the changes the natural world is undergoing, and she addresses activities in the human world—specifically, American Thanksgiving.
The author’s writing is lovely—her similes and metaphors carefully chosen. Here are a few examples:
“the earth is growing quiet. It is making its bed, a winter bed for flowers and small creatures. The bed is white and silent, and much life can hide beneath its blankets.”
“the trees are standing all sticks and bones. Without their leaves, how lovely they are, spreading their arms like dancers.”
“In November, at winter’s gate, the stars are brittle. The sun is a sometime friend.”
While I admire the work, I admit that I am not overly keen on plotless picture books. Furthermore, as a citizen of the country to the north of the U.S., I feel the book’s content isn’t entirely suitable for a Canadian audience. I’ve seen it recommended as a “mentor text”—a model to be used for students’ descriptive writing. I’ll give it that, but I don’t see it as an essential addition to a classroom or school library.
November 13, 2017
Beautiful words and pictures evoke the changing of autumn into winter.
November 7, 2021
This is a pretty picture book with lyrical text and lovely oil paintings... and a decidedly American bent that will likely limit its audience outside the United States.
I didn't realize that this was an American Thanksgiving book when I picked it up. And, to be fair, it doesn't start out that way. The book shows how nature changes and prepares itself for winter when November comes around. We see the weather changing. We see the plants changing. We see the animals' behaviour changing.
And then we get to the people. The last part of the book is taken up with Thanksgiving stuff. The food is better. People are nicer to each other. Everybody gets together to give thanks.
Is there anything wrong with that? Of course not! But it does come across as quite Americocentric, and by giving the book this focus, it could be confusing to children in other parts of the world whose experience of November is quite different.
Aside from that, the book is fine. It would make a nice addition to a holiday library of Thanksgiving picture books (especially since it doesn't focus on gluttony as so many others do).
I didn't realize that this was an American Thanksgiving book when I picked it up. And, to be fair, it doesn't start out that way. The book shows how nature changes and prepares itself for winter when November comes around. We see the weather changing. We see the plants changing. We see the animals' behaviour changing.
And then we get to the people. The last part of the book is taken up with Thanksgiving stuff. The food is better. People are nicer to each other. Everybody gets together to give thanks.
Is there anything wrong with that? Of course not! But it does come across as quite Americocentric, and by giving the book this focus, it could be confusing to children in other parts of the world whose experience of November is quite different.
Aside from that, the book is fine. It would make a nice addition to a holiday library of Thanksgiving picture books (especially since it doesn't focus on gluttony as so many others do).
November 24, 2008
Pleasant enough text, a bit poetic--very short. Artwork didn't really connect with me--a bit too abstract (the cover art is a bit misleading).
November 1, 2018
Newbery Medal-winning author Cynthia Rylant explores the beauties of November in this lyrical picture-book celebration of late autumn/early winter in the countryside. From the activities of animals both wild and domestic to the special festival that the humans engage in, all of the important key-notes of the season are covered...
I wasn't expecting to enjoy In November quite as much as I did, but I found Rylant's text immensely evocative. The conclusion - "In November, at winter's gate, the stars are brittle. The sun is a sometime friend. And the world has tucked her children in, with a kiss on their heads, till spring" - strikes just the right note, while the narrative throughout captures the sense of change and excitement in the air at this time of year. The artwork by Jill Kastner, done in oil paint, is also lovely, depicting the cozy, quiet joys mentioned in the story. My favorite scene (no surprise, given my love for all things feline) was the one with the pile of cats in the barn! Recommended to anyone looking for picture-books about autumn, Thanksgiving (although not mentioned by name, it is clear that this is the holiday depicted in text and artwork), and the changing of the seasons in a rural setting.
I wasn't expecting to enjoy In November quite as much as I did, but I found Rylant's text immensely evocative. The conclusion - "In November, at winter's gate, the stars are brittle. The sun is a sometime friend. And the world has tucked her children in, with a kiss on their heads, till spring" - strikes just the right note, while the narrative throughout captures the sense of change and excitement in the air at this time of year. The artwork by Jill Kastner, done in oil paint, is also lovely, depicting the cozy, quiet joys mentioned in the story. My favorite scene (no surprise, given my love for all things feline) was the one with the pile of cats in the barn! Recommended to anyone looking for picture-books about autumn, Thanksgiving (although not mentioned by name, it is clear that this is the holiday depicted in text and artwork), and the changing of the seasons in a rural setting.
November 19, 2018
I liked the lyrical text and the calming, cozy feel of this book. I liked the animal illustrations, particularly those that depicted animals whose activities might be a little more mysterious in winter. There was a nice, homey feel with perhaps a hearty spoonful of wishful thinking when the text claimed that people are nicer to each other in November.
December 31, 2024
In my quest for November books I found this picture book, which I am only just now getting around to reviewing. In November is a lovely farewell to fall and welcome to winter. I love Rylant's prose in this one, and the illustrations by Jill Kastner are just the right tone. The book ends with folks going home after Thanksgiving.
"In November, at winter's gate, the stars are brittle. The sun is a sometime friend. And the world has tucked her children in, with a kiss on their heads, till spring."
"In November, at winter's gate, the stars are brittle. The sun is a sometime friend. And the world has tucked her children in, with a kiss on their heads, till spring."
April 5, 2018
The theme, November, is adhered to but the illustrations were done in a blurring vision which was a bit distracting.
November 13, 2017
Beautiful book
November 9, 2023
This is probably describing a colder than California winter, and was a little abstract for my three year old.
October 29, 2022
Nope. In her November these things are true, but not so much in NV or OK or many other places where kids live. Well, maybe close enough. But still, no matter where I've lived, all over the country, I've never been fond of this month, and Rylant's book is not helping.
December 27, 2018
This book is....OK. It has beautiful illustrations, but I have noticed that my children do not really enjoy it.
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November 7, 2016) Text-to Teaching Connection: What is a response activity that you can do in a classroom with children in response to the book? (e.g. drama, music, art, or writing)
I love reading this book to introduce the month of November. I love the pictures and examples they use in this book. First I would ask the children ,"what are some of the things they do in November". ? " what are you thankful for" ?, What is your favorite thing to eat on Thanksgiving.? The children would make a wreath out of leaves that they found outside. Lastly the kids will make a Thankful wall to display in the classroom to show what they are thankful for in their lives. The students will also use the leaves to count, sort, make patterns, and play a matching game.
I love reading this book to introduce the month of November. I love the pictures and examples they use in this book. First I would ask the children ,"what are some of the things they do in November". ? " what are you thankful for" ?, What is your favorite thing to eat on Thanksgiving.? The children would make a wreath out of leaves that they found outside. Lastly the kids will make a Thankful wall to display in the classroom to show what they are thankful for in their lives. The students will also use the leaves to count, sort, make patterns, and play a matching game.
November 18, 2010
A beautifully illustrated look at November in the cold North (I am assuming that it depicts the northern tier of the US, since it shows all the trees bare already and we still have quite a few leaves on our trees!), with animals preparing for the long winter and people preparing a Thanksgiving meal. It's a simple story that is nice to read aloud and we enjoyed it very much.
September 26, 2018
Ages: 4 - 8
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**Like my reviews? I also have hundreds of detailed reports that I offer too. These reports give a complete break-down of everything in the book, so you'll know just how clean it is or isn't. I also have Clean Guides (downloadable PDFs) which enable you to clean up your book before reading it!
Visit my website!
November 3, 2010
Wonderful illustrations. It really captures the feel of this time of year. The illustration on the final page leaves you quiet and still as you recall the feeling of driving home on a cold, clear night after a day of feasting with loved ones.
January 18, 2014
As summer ends and fall begins next month, this was a lovely book to read. The author listed the many beautiful things of fall, and in particular of November when fall nears completion and all prepare for the winter.
It is a soothing book with wonderful calming images that delight the soul.
It is a soothing book with wonderful calming images that delight the soul.
November 8, 2017
Beautifully done. Warm and nostalgic.
April 18, 2019
It’s kind of hard to believe that it’s November 2, when it was 82 degrees here yesterday and it’s supposed to be 80 through the weekend… Where on earth is fall? Anyway… in the spirit of November, I thought I’d share a (hopefully… depending where you live, apparently!) wonderful seasonal read— Cynthia Rylant’s In November. Written by Rylant and illustrated by Jill Kastner, In November beautifully welcomes the new scenery, changing weather, and slower pace of life that comes with November.
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Rylant’s story begins with a description of the the visual, what the readers see around them in November, such as the trees “spreading their arms like dancers.” She then writes of the animals and their changing behaviors— birds that are flying south, birds staying and scrounging for food, animals that slow down and rest, and animals that hibernate. We then see the people!
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For the rest of the book, Rylant and Kastner allow us to get to know the family. We smell what they are cooking, we feel the excitement over visiting relatives, our bellies rumble at the sight of a tableful of Thanksgiving food, and we say goodbye. Goodbye to the relatives, goodbye to the fall, and goodbye to the day of feasts and company.
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In November is recommended for ages 4-8, but it short enough and colorful enough to hold a toddler’s attention as well. This could easily be used as a mentor text for writing projects with older students in descriptive writing and personal narrative units, as well as for craft skills like similes, metaphors, and personification.
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If you liked this, check out:
Owl Moon by Jane Yolen
Sleep Tight Farm: A Farm Prepares for Winter by Eugenie Doyle
The Relatives Came by Cynthia Rylant
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Rylant’s story begins with a description of the the visual, what the readers see around them in November, such as the trees “spreading their arms like dancers.” She then writes of the animals and their changing behaviors— birds that are flying south, birds staying and scrounging for food, animals that slow down and rest, and animals that hibernate. We then see the people!
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
For the rest of the book, Rylant and Kastner allow us to get to know the family. We smell what they are cooking, we feel the excitement over visiting relatives, our bellies rumble at the sight of a tableful of Thanksgiving food, and we say goodbye. Goodbye to the relatives, goodbye to the fall, and goodbye to the day of feasts and company.
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
In November is recommended for ages 4-8, but it short enough and colorful enough to hold a toddler’s attention as well. This could easily be used as a mentor text for writing projects with older students in descriptive writing and personal narrative units, as well as for craft skills like similes, metaphors, and personification.
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
If you liked this, check out:
Owl Moon by Jane Yolen
Sleep Tight Farm: A Farm Prepares for Winter by Eugenie Doyle
The Relatives Came by Cynthia Rylant
November 17, 2023
Can't remember how this book came to my to-read shelf, but I'm in a last minute sprint to meet my 2023 reading challenge so I got a library copy to check out. Honestly, I expected a lot of joy from this book, because these days I have loved my November feels, but instead it left me in a somber mood. I feel reflective and a little sad that gone are the days of my kids gathered around me to enjoy a picture book like this together. This is no surprise, those days have been gone for YEARS, but it is just settling on my heart in this moment.
I've sometimes compared the journey of parenting to the seasons of the year, and maybe I'm not ready to embrace any slowing down and emptying out yet. November is a settling down, it is things changing and going to sleep. It is the best food and smells of the year and gathering and thanking. The words perfectly captured that, and in the end maybe the book has touched me just as it was intended to.
I liked the verse much more than the illustrations.
I've sometimes compared the journey of parenting to the seasons of the year, and maybe I'm not ready to embrace any slowing down and emptying out yet. November is a settling down, it is things changing and going to sleep. It is the best food and smells of the year and gathering and thanking. The words perfectly captured that, and in the end maybe the book has touched me just as it was intended to.
I liked the verse much more than the illustrations.
February 11, 2025
One of the functions of picture books is to introduce children to society favorite cliches. I mean, conventional wisdom. Whatever!
Don't turn to this book if you're seeking originality. However, you've got yourself the right book if you're thrilled to discover the surprising news that:
In November, the air grows cold and the earth is growing quiet.
It is making its bed, a winter bed
for flowers and small creatures.
The bed is white and silent, and much life
can hide beneath its blankets.
Everybody's friendly.
Everybody's white.
Since I'm currently reading "Caste" by Isabel Wilkerson, I see this book as socially educational. Teaching babies about the status quo.
Personally, I'd like to see change in the status quo of caste in America. Otherwise, it's a sweet and comforting book for little ones, deserving FIVE STARS.
Don't turn to this book if you're seeking originality. However, you've got yourself the right book if you're thrilled to discover the surprising news that:
In November, the air grows cold and the earth is growing quiet.
It is making its bed, a winter bed
for flowers and small creatures.
The bed is white and silent, and much life
can hide beneath its blankets.
Everybody's friendly.
Everybody's white.
Since I'm currently reading "Caste" by Isabel Wilkerson, I see this book as socially educational. Teaching babies about the status quo.
Personally, I'd like to see change in the status quo of caste in America. Otherwise, it's a sweet and comforting book for little ones, deserving FIVE STARS.
September 21, 2025
Browsing books to give my friends' children as gifts since I won't gift anything I haven't first read myself.
Full disclosure: I did not anticipate loving this one as much as I did. This look at November putting nature to bed for the winter moves indoors as people settling in for cozy family times. A slightly unconventional approach to Thanksgiving, by the end, I found myself smiling. The illustrations draw emotions and convey actual feeling, which I was not expecting. I kind of wish this was part of a series! I will for sure be looking at this for a Thanksgiving-themed gift purchase, probably for a young elementary-aged recipient.
Full disclosure: I did not anticipate loving this one as much as I did. This look at November putting nature to bed for the winter moves indoors as people settling in for cozy family times. A slightly unconventional approach to Thanksgiving, by the end, I found myself smiling. The illustrations draw emotions and convey actual feeling, which I was not expecting. I kind of wish this was part of a series! I will for sure be looking at this for a Thanksgiving-themed gift purchase, probably for a young elementary-aged recipient.
October 25, 2019
My Review: I just happened to stumble upon this little gem at the library and couldn't resist. It is a short but simple story about November, not early fall or anticipation for December and winter, just November. The chill in the air, the nights coming early, the cozy feel of the fire and heat, the love that fills the room as family and friends gather together. It was so simple yet so beautiful. The illustrations are all done in a soft watercolor to add to the cozy, sentimental feel of the book. Definitely the perfect book to cozy up with under a warm blanket with the little ones!
November 12, 2020
This is a nice, simple Ode to November. Though it is in our November stack of bedtime read alouds for my preschoolers, this is admittedly not one that we are immediately drawn to. It checks most of the boxes. Nice cozy writing. Pretty if not a bit too fuzzy and abstract illustrations for the targeted age demographic. The activities of humans and animals living around the home is juxtaposed nicely. Yet, something is missing from this autumn story. Cynthia Rylant is a favorite children's author of mine, but this book in particular felt a bit phoned-in.
November 18, 2020
This is a very simple book about what happens in nature in November. It was fun listening to my children notice that the author says that food taste better in November, which is of course the authors opinion. It was fun telling them that the author can express any opinion she or he would like since it’s their book. Out of the four of my children some agreed that food taste better in November, and others did not agree.
November 26, 2020
This story talked about all of the changes going on as the cold weather approaches. Some of the changes included are the birds flying south, snow falling on the ground, and trees becoming bare. The illustrations in this book were very life-like and beautiful. They kind of looked like photographs but I think that they were painted. The illustrations took up both pages every time you flip a page. I loved reading this book!
November 27, 2020
Not just a children's picture book
The verse is lovely, the illustrations are lovely. I am so glad that upon opening a picture book, I take time to identify the illustrator.
The story does move toward that November celebration.
Many lovely lines, this one struck me. "In November, at winter's gate,...."
it continues, ..."the stars are brittle. The sun is a sometime friend.
And the world has tucked her children in, with a kiss on their heads, till spring."
November 17, 2017
I read this book as a read aloud with my book club kids. It's so gorgeous! The illustrations are beautiful, and the book itself reads like a long meditative poem on November. I'm not sure my 2nd graders appreciated it as much, but I would highly recommend this book. It might even be a great read aloud for middle grades kids.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 178 reviews