Cynthia Rylant has a wonderful way with words. Her book, In November, creates the picture of nature slipping into sleep for winter. As a read aloud, this book can create a great discussion for the changing season, hibernation, and leads into the Thanksgiving season. I love the way the illustrator, Jill Kastner, paints the country scene. Living in the heartland of Indiana farmland, this book seems to culminate what is happening around us. As a class, you could create a class book about what is happening in your community in November.
Having once lived in a capitol city, In November would have brought forth a refreshing air to the city scene I saw daily. As a little girl, I use to think that the city’s concrete was so cold during the changing season of fall and then into winter. You couldn’t see much of what was happening in the country. I remember looking at the parks and letting my mind wander to my grandmother’s farm. The parks allowed nature to bring its beauty to the man-made structures. In November could be an avenue to create a Venn Diagram of what happens in the environment between city and country.
Savorings for reading and in writing for In November:
- Personification – “And the world has tucked her children in, with a kiss on their heads, till spring.”
- Similes – “the trees…how lovely they are, spreading their arms like dancers.”
- hyphenated words – “full of good-byes and well-wishes“
- setting of silence – “They know it’s time to be still.”
- varied sentences – “…for cold times lie ahead. Hard times. All berries will be treasures.”
Connections:
A nonfiction connection is Autumn in America by Seymour Simon. “Text and photographs describe the signs of autumn that are seen in different parts of the United States, such as leaves changing color, the migration of birds and insects, the harvesting of crops, and changes in weather. (Hyperion Books for Children, 1993)”
More great autumn books:
Red Leaf, Yellow Leaf by Lois Ehlert
I Know It’s Autumn by Eileen Spinelli
Posted by MaryHelen 
Book Savors 