In November

by: Cynthia Rylant; Illustrated by Jill Kastner

Published by: Voyager Books

Reviewed by Jamie Driggers

In November, the colorful leaves dot the ground and the air is crisp. Animals gather for warmth and sleep and people gather to eat and give thanks. The earth prepares for winter and looks forward to spring.

This picture book is warm and soothing. The colors are rich and blurred and the words blend together to give a dozy feeling. As the earth begins to drift off to sleep, little ones may as well. This is a sleepy book, a calming book and I believe it is meant to be read in soft, slow tones. The words find a rhythm, though there is not rhyme to speak of and the feel of the illustrations match the feel of the lines.

This is a nice read aloud for the autumn and naptime, cuddled up under blankets and by a crackling fire. This is not a playtime book, a loud book, a busy book–but it is a nice book. It has the potential to be the standard fall read for many, many years to come.

Armchair Interviews agrees