Lyrical prose and luminous illustrations welcome the arrival of fall in a season of community and thanksgiving.

Gather twigs and sticks to nest.
Gather safety, strength, and rest.
Gather up and fly away.
Gather close. Prepare to stay.

As colors in nature start to change, animals begin gathering items—squirrels their acorns, crows their treasures, raccoons the bits and pieces needed to fortify their homes. Animals of all species prepare to gather with each other too, for warmth, for affection, for sharing food or stories. With lilting, rhythmic prose, Megan Litwin heralds the beginning of the season and follows the transition of animals and humans as they prepare for the coming winter. Alexandra Finkeldey’s striking limited palette, capturing the preparations outside and in, brings this story of love and gratitude to quietly glowing life.

REVIEWS:

Litwin’s soothingly spare rhyming text pairs beautifully with the images, evoking the hustle and bustle of collecting seeds, acorns, and nesting materials. . . . Text and images meld seamlessly for a wholly original Thanksgiving tale rooted in an appreciation for the natural world. A spellbinding, festive tale of community.

—Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

Spare verse from Litwin affectingly builds to convey autumnal priorities, from food- to community-gathering, in this companionable picture book. . . . Simple closing lines tie together animalian and non-animalian threads, articulating the way seasonal change unites species.

—Publishers Weekly

A cozy portrayal of a fall evening spent among loved ones. . . .Focused on togetherness, this story is inclusive and free of references to specific holidays, making it suitable for all readers. Children will feel inspired to gather with their own loved ones to share this story, ideally with a warm beverage and a soft ­blanket.

—School Library Journal

The word gathering means so much in Litwin’s poem. . . .The illustrationsfeature a multitude of forest animals. . . .The artwork . . . conveys both the chill and the warmth inherent in autumn.

—Booklist

THEMES

Fall/Autumn, Thanksgiving, Gratitude, Community, Connection, Animals, Nature