Book Pick—Let It Shine: Three Favorite Spirituals by Ashley Bryan, illus. by author

From SLJ January 2006 (Starred Review)

Kathy Piehl, Minnesota State University, Mankato -- School Library Journal, 12/18/2006

BRYAN, Ashley. Let It Shine: Three Favorite Spirituals. illus. by author. unpaged. score. CIP. S & S/Atheneum. Jan. 2007. RTE $16.99. ISBN 0-689-54732-7. LC 2003012028.

PreS-Gr 5–Bryan’s vibrant illustrations interpret and energize three beloved songs: “This Little Light of Mine,” “Oh, When the Saints Go Marching In,” and “He’s Got the Whole World in His Hands.” Although the artistic style is similar to that in All Night, All Day (Atheneum, 1991), here Bryan uses intricate cut-paper collages to accompany the lines of text at the bottom of the pages. Energy and movement course through many of the full-bleed illustrations, as when children–depicted in rainbow-colored silhouettes–use a boat, an airplane, a bicycle, and other means to carry their lights “Ev’ry where I go.” At other times, the images offer comfort and security, as large multicolored hands embrace the world’s wonders and “the little bitty baby” is cradled in an adult’s protective arms. Simple melody lines and an explanation of the origin and importance of spirituals are appended. Yet, Bryan’s illustrations demonstrate more than words the dynamic inspiration that these songs still provide. Readers will find themselves humming as they turn the pages.