Let's Go!
-
- $9.99
-
- $9.99
Publisher Description
An extraordinary book that celebrates skateboarding, family, and community, from beloved artist and author Julie Flett, a winner of the New York Times / New York Public Library Best Illustrated Children’s Book Award.
Every day, a little boy watches kids pass by on skateboards, and dreams of joining them. One day, his mother brings a surprise: her old skateboard, just for him! haw êkwa! Let’s go! Together, they practice on the sidewalk, at the park, in Auntie’s yard—everywhere. But when it comes time to try the skatepark, the skateboarders crash down like a waterfall. Can he find the confidence to join them?
Let’s Go! features:
A glossary of Cree words featured in the book, and a Cree refrain (haw êkwa!) repeated throughoutA note to the reader from Julie Flett about her inspiration for the storyThis fun and touching story is a tribute to family, friendship, and perseverance. Julie Flett’s renowned art and powerful text shows a community of support is all around, ready to help each other… go!
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
When a lone young narrator daily watches a skateboarder moving fast in front of their window, the "Cacussh! Cacussh! Cacussh!/ Closer and then farther" inspires the Cree-cued child to say "haw êkwa! Let's Go!" Outside at a park, they imagine themself "riding a skateboard on the/ path that winds like a river," and their mother soon passes down the skateboard she used at the child's current age, kicking off a route of perseverance as the youth learns to ride down the sidewalk, painfully tumbling and trying again. Eventually, arrival at a skate park reveals uncertainty around the "waterfall/ of skateboarders crashing down." When others join the protagonist on the sidelines, the group watches "the patterns/ and pace. And feet and hands and faces," until saying "haw êkwa! Let's Go!" brings them together and helps them grow a bond that strengthens alongside their skateboarding prowess. Using onomatopoeic language to capture the sounds of the sport, Cree-Métis creator Flett (We All Play) shows the hard work and investment of time that goes into both learning a new skill and becoming "a part of something—/ and myself." An author's note concludes. Ages 3–8.
