Highly Recommended: LET'S GO! haw êkwa! BY JULIE FLETT

Let's Go! haw êkwa!

Written and illustrated by Julie Flett (Cree-Metis)

Published in 2024

Publisher: Greystone Kids

Reviewer: Jean Mendoza

Review Status: Highly Recommended

What a treat I had tonight! While browsing through a shelf of the newest books in the children's department at our library, I came across several by Indigenous writers and illustrators. One of them was this sweet-and-substantial story of skateboarding, inspiration, friendships, and fun by award-winning artist Julie Flett.

Here's how the publisher summarizes the book:

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?

There are many, many reasons I like and recommend this book.  Here are four.

Reason #1 for recommending Let's Go! haw êkwa!: The illustrations.

The back matter tells us the illustrations were rendered in pastel and pencil, composited digitally. They have the feel of cut paper collage, without feeling stuck to the page. They remind me of what a good sports photographer can do -- "freezing" the subject in a way that implies continuing action. Two "learning to skateboard" pages show phases of the process, including a mishap, each with its own space. Many other illustrations are two-page spreads; the ones that showcase the fluidity of skateboarding are especially impressive. 

Reason #2: use of the Cree language

The Cree phrase "haw êkwa!" (part of the title) means something like, "Okay then!" according to Flett's note to readers at the end of the story. She explains that she and her son became interested in Cree words to describe the "flow state" skateboarders can experience, so they consulted friends at the Cree Literacy Network, who came through with several words and phrases to share with readers. Intriguing! It's possible I've missed something in other books, but this is the first time I've encountered use of Indigenous words to talk about such complex concepts in a book for young children. Of course there is much to gain in sharing Indigenous names for objects, colors, and numbers; this provides additional layers of respect for and knowledge about an Indigenous language.

Reason #3: all kinds of affirmations 

When one of my young relatives was into skateboarding years ago, they said there was a lot of animosity toward skateboarders. That's probably still the case in some places -- but not in Let's Go! Julie Flett dedicates the book to a young skateboarding enthusiast who sought her out at a book-signing, and to her sons and their friends in their skateboarding community. The protagonist and friends are many shades of brown, reflecting the diversity of their group and contradicting the mistaken notion that skateboarders are primarily white. This appears to be a single-parent family, and it's portrayed as loving and supportive. Not only does Mom give her son her old skateboard -- she also drives the children all over the place to visit skate parks! 

Reason #4: read-aloud potential

Teachers who share the book can invite children to participate in the reading in several ways. At the appropriate times, they can call out, "Let's go! haw êkwa!" They can make the sound of the wheels on pavement: "cacussh, cacussh, cacussh." They can move their bodies as the skateboarders do in the illustrations. After the story, they may want to talk about their own ways of getting involved in an activity. Do they usually jump right in, or do they watch and learn for a while before telling themselves, "Let's go!" They might also want to think about experiences that give them the feeling that they have "become a part of something -- and myself," as the protagonist has.

I am quite a fan of Let's Go! haw êkwa!  I'm hoping every librarian, teacher, and relative of a child reads it and shares it -- and buys multiple copies for their shelves and to give to children.