As fall quickly shifts into winter (at least for us here in Michigan) and Thanksgiving approaches, I wanted to share the books we’ve placed on our shelves this month. I’ve been trying to be more intentional about rotating the kids’ books in their rooms and in our living spaces—bringing in stories that reflect the season, upcoming holidays, and spark meaningful conversations.
For November, our bookshelf highlights:
– the transition from fall to winter
– practicing gratitude and thankfulness
– learning about Native American history and culture
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Here’s what we’re reading and a few simple activities to go along with them:
Changing Seasons
Goodbye Autumn, Hello Winter by Kenard Pak
A beautifully illustrated journey through the final days of fall as children notice the small details that signal winter’s arrival. It gently introduces seasonal change through nature observations, making it a perfect read-aloud for younger kids.
A Story for Small Bear by Alice B. McGinty
This cozy story follows Small Bear and Mama as they prepare for winter, gathering supplies and settling into their den. It’s a sweet reminder of slowing down, nurturing connection, and embracing seasonal rhythms.
Craft: Wax-Dipped Leaf Garland
Take a nature walk and collect leaves in different shapes and colors. Melt wax in a crockpot (use a liner!), then carefully dip the leaves and let them dry on parchment. When they’re dry, punch a small hole to string them into a garland. It makes the prettiest seasonal decoration and preserves those fall colors just a little longer. Bonus- it’s eco-friendly!
Thankfulness
Giving Thanks: How Thanksgiving Became a National Holiday by Denise Kiernan
This nonfiction story shares how Sarah Josepha Hale championed Thanksgiving and helped make it a national holiday. It’s an engaging look at history that supports conversations about gratitude and tradition.
Let’s Get Festive!: Celebrations Around the World by Joanna Konczak
This book explores cultural celebrations across the globe and highlights how people express joy, connection, and gratitude in different ways. It’s a great introduction to widening perspectives and appreciating diversity.
Family Practice:
One simple way we practice gratitude as a family is by sharing one thing we’re thankful for every day — big or small.
Craft Ideas:
– Use leaf-shaped cookie cutters to cut air-dry clay, stamp each with one word of gratitude, then paint and hang them as keepsakes.
– For an easier version, create a paper gratitude chain using strips of paper—one word or sentence per link.
Native American Culture
We Are Grateful: Otsaliheliga by Traci Sorell
A beautiful, year-round story from the Cherokee Nation that highlights gratitude through each season. It offers a meaningful look into culture, community, and daily life.
We Are Still Here!: Native American Truths Everyone Should Know by Traci Sorell
This book explores the history, resilience, and present-day experiences of Native peoples. It’s powerful, educational, and accessible for kids and adults alike.
Fry Bread: A Native American Family Story by Kevin Noble Maillard
Told through poetic text and warm illustrations, this book celebrates fry bread as a symbol of family, tradition, and shared history. It also includes a recipe to make together.
Keepunumuk: Weeâchumun’s Thanksgiving Story by Danielle Greendeer
A retelling of the Thanksgiving story through a Native perspective, centered on generosity, land, and relationships. It’s a thoughtful and respectful way to introduce children to fuller, more accurate history.
Extend the Learning:
Check your local library for cultural or Thanksgiving-related events; ours hosted a homeschool program with traditional clothing, dances, and hands-on artifacts.
Cooking Activity:
You can make fry bread using the recipe from Fry Bread—a wonderful way to engage with culture through food and create a memorable family experience.
November always feels like a season of slowing down—of noticing the natural world, practicing gratitude, and learning about the history and cultures connected to this holiday season. Rotating books and pairing them with gentle activities has added so much richness to our homeschool rhythm.
💬 If you have favorite seasonal books or meaningful family traditions for November, I’d love to hear them in the comments!
