Let's Go!

February 19, 2024
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.

April 1, 2024
Grades K-3 In this masterful application of ""less is more,"" Flett uses on each page fewer than a dozen words, which, combined with the illustrations, convey a simple, powerful story of yearning, patience, bravery, inclusion, self-expression, and other human ways of being. It starts with a child looking out of their window while other kids zoom by on skateboards. The child imagines being able to skate, and when they get the chance, they practice and fall and try again, until they feel ready to join the others at the park. There, they are halted by a moment of insecurity, until other newcomers arrive and they decide to give it a go together. Flett's stylized figures and skilled line-work create a flowing motion, a concept which is beautifully described in a back-matter letter to the reader. Let's Go! haw �kwa! is a must-read for anyone who skateboards or wants to--or doesn't. Literacy teachers will enjoy parsing the nuanced analogies, assigning this as a mentor text for writing, or simply enjoying it as a read aloud.

COPYRIGHT(2024) Booklist, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

April 15, 2024
A young skateboarder rolls with the punches. Looking out the window, an Indigenous child watches a skateboarder roll past every day and imagines "riding...on the path that winds like a river." Mom gives the young narrator her old skateboard, and the little one eagerly tries it out at the playground, the basketball court, and Auntie's place. Like any novice skateboarder, the child takes a few tumbles; developing skill, coordination, and balance requires lots of practice. Finally, the protagonist is ready to hit the skatepark. Watching a "waterfall of skateboarders crashing down," the child is initially intimidated. After the protagonist befriends several other new and uncertain skateboarders, they all gain enough confidence to take part. As time goes by, they motivate one another, forming tightknit bonds and encouraging other newcomers. Lacing her spare text with onomatopoeia ("cacussh!" "swoosh"), Flett (Cree-M�tis) captures the rhythm of skateboarding. Her signature minimalist illustrations brim with energy, immersing readers in the action of the park. Swirls of color fill the page as skaters whiz by. Throughout, the Cree phrase "haw �kwa! Let's go!" punctuates the tale, each refrain encouraging the child to take action. The artwork depicts a racially diverse group of skaters. An exhilarating story of discovering a unique passion and building a caring community. (author's note) (Picture book. 4-8)

COPYRIGHT(2024) Kirkus Reviews, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

May 1, 2024
Every day, a child watches other kids skateboarding past the window and wishes to join them. After receiving Mom's old skateboard, the child can now practice at the skatepark for real. At first unsure about joining the other kids, our protagonist sits alone watching them on their boards. Two others sit down and watch, too; eventually all three decide to join in with the group. Flett's (We All Play, rev. 1/23) spare text, with its naturally incorporated Cree language refrain "haw ekwa," ably and empathetically reflects a child's nervousness and excitement about trying something new. The muted tones of the digitally composed pastel and pencil drawings complement the narrative. In her appended note, Flett explains that the story was inspired by her son and his friends learning how to skateboard and by "the skateboard community we had been a part of for many years." She also explains the meaning of the Cree idiom haw ekwa ("okay, and") and explores the definition of a "flow state," along with providing Cree words that skateboarders may find useful. The book beautifully highlights the value of perseverance along with the joy of skateboarding. Nicholl Denice Montgomery

(Copyright 2024 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)

Starred review from May 1, 2024

PreS-Gr 2-A child observes skateboarders passing his window, noting the distinct sound of wheels rolling over a sidewalk, "Cacussh! Cacussh! Cacussh!" When his mother presents him with her old skateboard, he is off! The refrain "haw �kwa!" which, Flett explains in an endnote, is a Cree idiom that translates to "okay and" or "okay now" perfectly sums up the feeling of embarking on something new and also the determination to try again after a setback. Flett's endnote also identifies the pleasure of being in a "flow state" that comes about after much practice. The text conveys this by comparing the skaters' movements to a gentle stream, a flowing river, and even "a waterfall of skateboarders crashing down." The fluid movement is carried along in the soft illustrations of winding paths, curtains blowing in the breeze, the gentle curve of an arm, the swoop of a half-pipe. VERDICT A delightful first purchase. Highly recommended.-Jennifer Costa

Copyright 2024 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

January 1, 2024
Every day, a child watches other kids skateboarding past the window and wishes to join them. After receiving Mom's old skateboard, the child can now practice at the skatepark for real. At first unsure about joining the other kids, our protagonist sits alone watching them on their boards. Two others sit down and watch, too; eventually all three decide to join in with the group. Flett's (We All Play, rev. 1/23) spare text, with its naturally incorporated Cree language refrain "haw ekwa," ably and empathetically reflects a child's nervousness and excitement about trying something new. The muted tones of the digitally composed pastel and pencil drawings complement the narrative. In her appended note, Flett explains that the story was inspired by her son and his friends learning how to skateboard and by "the skateboard community we had been a part of for many years." She also explains the meaning of the Cree idiom haw ekwa ("okay, and") and explores the definition of a "flow state," along with providing Cree words that skateboarders may find useful. The book beautifully highlights the value of perseverance along with the joy of skateboarding.

(Copyright 2024 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)