“Cacussh! Cacussh! Cacussh!!” A young Cree boy watches from his window as a skateboarder goes by. “haw êkwa! Let’s go!” His mom gives him 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, creative, community; and the meaning of “haw êkwa!” (okay then!) and other Cree words related to the sport.

A 2025 Notable Social Studies Trade Book!
A 2025 Charlotte Zolotow Award Highly Commended Title!
A Kirkus Reviews and Horn Book Magazine Best Book of 2024!
A Chicago Public Library Best of the Best Book of 2024!

“Gives the viewer the sense that not only is the world big, but its bigness impels us to keep going.”—Juanita Giles, The New York Times

“Beautifully highlights the value of perseverance along with the joy of skateboarding.”—Horn Book STARRED Review

“Perfectly sums up the feeling of embarking on something new and also the determination to try again after a setback.”—School Library Journal STARRED Review

“[R]eminiscent of Ezra Jack Keats … a beautiful job of capturing the grace and speed of skateboarding.”—Youth Services Book Review STARRED Review

Let’s Go! is 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!