“Cacussh! Cacussh! Cacussh!!” A young Cree boy watches from his window as a skateboarder goes by. “haw êkwa! Let’s go!” His mom brings home her old skateboard and he begins to learn to ride. “Push, push. … Ow!” He falls and gets back up again. “Swoosh. … Oh!” At the park, where the path runs like a river, he sees “a waterfall of skateboarders crashing down.” He sits by himself in a quiet place to watch, soon joined by other younger riders. “We sit together. Watching the patterns and pace. And feet and hands and faces.” Eventually he becomes one of the experienced skaters. Sometimes he’s part of a river of friends flowing down the street on their boards. And sometimes there’s a new rider, watching quietly. They sit with her until she’s ready. “haw êkwa! Let’s go!” A beautifully spirited story full of the sounds and flow of skateboarding is paired with warm-hued, wonderfully composed mixed media illustrations capturing eagerness, tenderness, energy, and joy. A note from the author/illustrator discusses her family connection to skateboarding through her son; its welcoming, creativity community; and the meaning of “haw êkwa!” (okay then!) and other Cree words related to the sport. (Ages 4-9)

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 throughout
• A note to the reader from Julie Flett about her inspiration for the story

This 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!