The Relatives Came

Written by Cynthia Rylant

Narrated by Bonnie Kelly-Young

One summer, a car full of relatives came a long way to visit a family. The relatives hugged and ate and stayed for weeks, tending the garden and fixing around the house.

And when they left, the house was too quiet, and the family and the relatives dreamed about their next reunion.

A Live Oak Media audio production.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Live Oak Media
• Release date: Jan 1, 1999
• ISBN: 9781430115496

Cynthia Rylant

Cynthia Rylant is a Newbery medalist and the author of many acclaimed books for young people. She's well known for her popular characters for early readers, including Mr. Putter & Tabby and Henry & Mudge. She lives in the Pacific Northwest. cynthiarylant.com

Reviews for The Relatives Came

[zoes_human · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

A joyful celebration of families and togetherness, The Relatives Came is the story of a road trip and family reunion. Fun to read out loud with charmingly realistic art. Suitable for themes of travel, family, vacations, road trips, and summer.Appropriate for ages 3 to 7.

[brianna_byer · Rating: 1 out of 5 stars]

This is not the greatest children's book. I would not get this book for my own children.

[2wondery_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This book makes me beam with happiness. Here's wishing that all extended families could be so full of the joy of reunions.

[bre201 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This is a funny book about relatives that come to visit during summer vacation. It describes them having lots of fun eating, singing, dancing, and connecting. It stresses the importance of spending time with family and building memories.

[cherzog-1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

When the Relatives Came is a funny book about crazy relatives that come to visit in the summer. During their visit they have lots of fun eating, singing, dancing and bonding. Just as everyone is getting use to be together it is time for their vacation to end.

[madelynmaxwell · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This book shows a relatives coming to visit for a month. It shows the crazy adventures they endure during their time for example the way they all sleep. The book is simply written and allows readers to use the illustrations to figure out what is going on in the book and the way the characters are feeling throughout the visit.

[ash13276 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

The Relatives Came is a fabulous to read to your student as a way to maybe touch a bit on their background. Family is extremely important to some but not others so you may need to be careful. The pictures were a great example of the book and what is was trying to say without it screaming it and tell you. I would highly recommend this book to all teachers. Great book!

[jmistret · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

A big family is reunited when one side of the family takes a summer vacation to visit. One the drive down, the family coming from Virginia are nervous to leave their almost purple enough grapes, but extremely excited to see their family. There are no words describing that this family may be loud, crazy, or dysfunctional yet when I see the pictures this is exactly what comes to mind about them. When they are driving in the car, suitcases are flying off of the roof, dirt is being flung around, and the car is only on two wheels at some points. The illustrations also show them driving through a fence, sleeping on the floor while having their limbs all over, and taking a family photo where more than half are not looking or making a silly face. I was able to gain all of this background information by simply looking at the pictures. I really enjoyed this book because it reminded me of my family and how we are when we are all able to get together.

[cpaavola-1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This sweet picture book about the narrator's relatives and the summer they came to visit. They traveled far from Virginia, leaving early before their grapes were not quite "purple enough to pick" but almost. The narrator tells about how they finally arrived and then they all hugged each other because they were so glad to see them and about all the food they ate and how there were so many more people sleeping in the house there weren't enough beds for each of them. They tell about the fun they had all summer until it was time for the relatives to leave and go back to Virginia to pick their purple grapes and how the narrator would miss them and be waiting until they came back the next summer. This story shows the strong bond of family and paints a lovely picture of fun and togetherness. The beautiful colored pencil illustrations that cover two pages for each, have a lot going on in them but remind a reader of their own memories with their family and how families can be big and busy but still keep in mind what is important. Many students can probably relate to situations in this book. Teachers could use this at the opening of a school year to talk about what people did that summer and if they got to see any of their relatives and what they did together. A teacher could also use this to talk about favorite memories with family members and who those people are if they are doing a unit on families.

[mcnicol_08 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

A wonderful story of relatives visiting one another over the summer. This was one of my first Cynthia Rylant books and I absolutely loved it.This is a great book to share with children and promote comprehension. The plot and setting of this story is very relatable for young children as they will be able to make text-to-world, text-to-self, and text-to-text connections to this story. One of the most enchanting aspects of this story, besides the actually story, is the illustrations. I love the beautiful colored pencil illustrations that are just as intriguing as the text. I know my students will love this book as much as I do.

[mpotts1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

In my opinion, this is a great book. Although it is older, it still has a lot of relatable features that make it a good children's book. To start, I really enjoy the detailed illustrations throughout the story. Although the colors are somewhat dull, it gives the story character and fits the atmosphere. All of the illustrations were relevant to the text and it was great to see the variety of family members throughout the book. I really enjoyed the language used throughout the book as well. The words used were descriptive and authentic in colloquialism in relation to their hometown roots. For example, soda was referred to as "pop" throughout the story which made the story more genuine. The plot is also extremely relatable. Most children have been dragged by their parents to family gatherings in long car rides. When they arrive at the family gatherings, a lot of talking and hugging occurs and the story depicts this scenario all too well. Overall, Cynthia Rylant wrote a story that supports the big idea of the importance of family and how family enhances people's lives. This story would be of great use in the classroom for a unit on family and have students share out their family experiences.

[kkadal1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I enjoyed “The Relatives Came”, the central message of which was that, even though it is sad when the time comes for families to separate, they can always look forward to seeing one another again when the time is right. I liked this book for its descriptive and patterned writing, which was effective in drawing me into the story and making me invested in its plot. I also liked the story’s believable characters. The story of the characters reminded me of my own family’s trips to see one another, how eventful and enjoyable they are, and how sad it is when the time comes to say goodbye to one another. Additionally, I liked the book’s plot, which I felt was relatable and appropriate for young readers. This book is certainly one that I would like to have in my classroom library, as I feel it is one to which young children can relate and will enjoy.

[sfinke5 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I really enjoyed this book because it was well written, it had great illustrations and it was a cute story. The book was very descriptive. It said "They left at 4 in the morning when it was still dark before even the birds were awake". I could envision what it was like when they left out. Then it said, "Then it was hugging time". Through the illustrations you could see how happy the relatives were to be visiting each other. I felt like I was one of them seeing my relatives for the first time in a while. The plot was organized and grasped the attention of the reader. I wanted to keep reading to see what would happen in the end to the relatives. Overall this was a great book for young children

[sberma5 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

I really enjoyed this book and I believe young readers would as well. The text was very large to explain the descriptive detail the story told. "Wrinkled Virginia clothes" was a very descriptive detail that caught my attention. The story was written in third person but using shorter sentences throughout the text. The illustrations were very detailed using dull colors, which didn't attract the readers’ attention too much. The characters were well described and used through the illustrations. The big message was to explain about happiness with family all over the world, and distance doesn't matter, it is all about the love and support.

[bmalon6 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

There were things that I did and did not like about this book. The main message of this story is that we should appreciate the small things in life instead of the material things. I enjoyed the message of the story. It was all about enjoying the hugs, time, and cuddles of the family. The story didn't say anything about video games or material tings that made them happy. This is an important message for children as material tings are very important in our society. I also enjoyed the pictures. The illustrator used water colors which made the pictures very warm and comforting. The one thing i did not enjoy about the story is that it wasn't really culturally diverse. Even the family members all looked alike with the same color hair. This could make it hard for some children to connect with the story.

[corzel1-1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Comparing the five picture books that I have read so far I loved the book “The Relatives Came” the best. The book is about a big group of relatives that come to stay with their family for the summer. I really enjoyed that the book was written in third person. Most children’s books that I read are written in first person and I found this writing style to be a pleasant change.The illustrations were bright and funny. The author did a great job illustrating the story and giving the reader a feel for the love this family shares. I enjoyed the illustration of the family sleeping in a number of different places with different relatives. The caption says, “It was different, going to sleep with all that new breathing in the house.” The illustrations made me think of my great big family and how we all share beds and couches when we all get together. I liked the written language the author used to tell the story and describe the love each family member felt for one another. The main theme I took from this story was that family is the most important thing in the world. Times spent with family are priceless memories that should never be forgotten.

[marmig2 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I really liked the book “The Relatives Came”. The book told the story, in third-person, of a big group of relatives that came to stay with their family for one summer. The main message of the story is to value and appreciate the time spent with family. The book pushes the reader to think about the tough issue of trying saying goodbye to family members when they have to leave. I liked the language and writing used in this book because it portrays the love that the family felt for each other. The author used phrases such as “so much laughing and shining faces and hugging in the doorways” to portray the love within the family. Overall, the plot was organized and paced-well. The reader was able to go on a journey—from the excitement of the relatives arriving to the sadness of when they left.

[jresner-1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

This great book is a realistic story about the summer of the year when the relatives of some kids come visit. It has colored pencil illustrations, and gives fun examples of how relatives interact. It is a positive and fun view of family members.

[spinea1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I would use this book during reader’s response to engage students in discussion. What would you do if your relatives ran into your fence? What do you do when your relatives come into town? Do your relatives travel a long way to see you? I would teach sequence of events with this book to help strengthen comprehension.

[alexwyatt-1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I have to say that out of the books I have read so far, The Relatives Came, is the first one I have mixed feelings about. I like the message of the importance of family but really have a hard time with the way it was written. My mother always tells stories just like this one when she was a child going to her Grandmother’s house in West Virginia every summer. My grandmother was one of fifteen children and everyone met there every summer for two weeks. This story could be her families’ story.The illustrations are bright and happy. They do a good job illustrating the story and giving the reader a feel for the love this family shares. The best illustration is the one that shows the family sleeping in all different places and with all different relatives and the line that says, “It was different, going to sleep with all that new breathing in the house.” Stephen Gammell does a great job showing the family traditions like the big meals, everyone helping out, and the family photos. The illustrations give you a sense of family, joy and love. The book tells a great story but the writing seems choppy and run-on. I am sure the author meant to write it this way but I want to question why. An example is, “ They had an old station wagon that smelled like a real car, and in they put a chest full of soda pop and some boxes of crackers and some bologna sandwiches and up they came – from Virginia. This just does not seem to flow. It does not happen on every page but on many. The language is a different story. It is colorful and descriptive. The line that says, “ You’d have to go through at least four different hugs to get from the kitchen to the front room.” However, I will say, that Ms. Rylant does a great job telling the story without any main characters. Using the term “relatives” to describe everyone and putting it together with the illustrations you feel a part of the family. The Relatives Came is a book that reminded me of a Norman Rockwell painting. A book that takes the reader to a place that they wish was reality but may never be.

[awalls4 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I liked this book because of the illustrations. The illustrator uses very detailed and vivid pictures to depict the scenes on each page. For example, on each page it portrays a different activity the entire family is doing together. In one of the pages of the book it shows the greetings between each of the family members when the relatives arrive. There are smiles on almost everyone’s face and people are hugging. Some individuals on the page are making expressions to demonstrate different emotions, for instance one child makes a face to demonstrate his uncle is squeezing him too tight. The illustrations draw the reader in and enhance the story with the rich illustrations. I think the central message of the story is to value the time that you have with your family and make memories. The story talks about activities that the family participates in together every time they visit. I think this book can inspire discussion in the classroom for students to share what they do with their family when they visit. Do they have any traditions? Overall, the illustrations and message of the book made it an engaging piece of literature.

[timberlyg-1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Great story about relatives that come to visit there are way to many people in the house but they all have a great time.Age 3-5DuPont Library

[kbrehm1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

 In my opinion, this is a fantastic book. I loved the language, as it repeated events both in the beginning and end of the story. For example, the characters leave at exactly “four in the morning” both in the beginning and end of the book. I also loved the characters, as they were definitely relatable and convincing. When a family hasn’t seen their relatives in a while, it’s normal for them to hug and embrace each other. For example, when the author wrote, “They hugged us for hours”, it reminded me of my own relatives, as they also love to hug my family! The most enjoyable part of the story I would say is all of the illustrations. These illustrations capture the multiple emotions of all of the characters in the story. When the relatives first arrive at the house, their faces show a feeling of cheerfulness and excitement. When several of the relatives have to share the same bed, some of the characters seem annoyed because they are squished. By using colored pencils, the author was able to display many fine details such as the blades of grass and the facial expressions of each and every character. I like how the author also used different hues to represent day and night, and how there was a constant gradient in the sky from one page to the next. I think the book was able to push the readers to think about their own families and traditions whenever they come to visit. The big idea of the story was to display a sense of togetherness when the relatives arrived and to illustrate different traditions within families.

[sabdelaz · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

A children's book for first and second graders about some relatives from Virginia; although we do not know where the orginal family is from. The family from Virginia was large and kept the original family company. For sleeping, the kids were on the floor and some were o then bed. At dinnertime, there were two tables,and the living room as space to eat. They met each other in the summer and they were anxious to meet up again in the summertime.

[dbond-1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Cynthia Rylant's The Relatives Came is a lovey story of a large family from Virginia that packs up and travels to stay with their relatives. It is a warmhearted book with wonderful illustrations of a jolly loving family told through the eyes of the little girl whose house they are staying. They stay for weeks and weeks and the little girl couldn't be more delighted to share her home with them. it is a great read full of imagery and metaphors. The love the family has for each other as they work to fix up the home, shines through Stephen Gammell's illustrations. It is no wonder the book is a Caldecott Honor. The Relatives is a great story for a child of any age. Many can relate to having relatives in town, and know the warm feeling they get when spending time with loved ones, just as the narrator of this story portrays.

[tbegum1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

This story book is nice because it gives a sense of family meaning. It allows for students to realize the value of their families that they maybe have in different states. I didn't find the illustrations too amazing and thought they could have been better as well.

[whisper1_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Thus far I've loved everything this author writes, and this book is no exception.When the relatives from down there in Virginia come up north to visit for a few weeks in the summer, there is delight, joy, hugging, lots of food, and plentiful laughter.So often in real life we know of situations where it is good to see relatives, but only for a small amount of time. Rylant captures a slower time of summer -- a time of sunshine, watermelon eating, fiddles and bangos to be played -- and days and nights that beg to never end.The illustrations by Stephen Gammell are filled with two-page spreads of laughter, food, bare foot adults and children, picnic blankets and family pets. There is joy in this book that sings right off the pages!

[dukefan86 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This is a charming story with delightful pictures! It reminded me a bit of my childhood, when relatives from South Carolina, or sometimes farther away came to visit on occasion. Reading this book made me wish it'd happened a little more often! Now, I'm reminded of family reunions in the country.

This is one of my favorite Cynthia Rylant books, and one of the few children's books I've kept on my personal bookshelves from my teaching days.

[cfrizzle-1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

This book allows children to relate events and the theme of the story to their own lives. This book is great when you are trying to teach the sequencing of events.

[michelleforestier · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This is a good book about teachers showing beginnging, middle and end - sequencing of events. This book is good for reading and writing. I think the kids will love it because it is a funny, good book to read.