Book Cover
http://books.simonandschuster.ca/Let-it-Shine/Ashley-Bryan/9780689847325
Book Summary
The book, Let It Shine, is a book with the lyrics and melody to three songs that were originally called "Negro Spirituals:" This Little Light of Mine, Oh, When the Saints Go Marching In, and He's Got the Whole World in His Hands. These "Negro Spirituals" were created by the enslaved African Americans. With laws against teaching the slaves to read and write, these African Americans managed to pass down these spiritual songs down from generation to generation by singing.
Reference
Bryan, Ashley. (2007). Let it shine, Atheneum Books for Young Readers, Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing Division.
Librarian's Corner
After being reminded on how terrible slavery was from reading The Slave Dancer, it amazes me that these African Americans still had a way of having faith and believing in their Gods so they could move on each day. Through the lyrics of these three spiritual songs, I could feel their sorrow and hopes, and the words really send a positive message to get the slaves through the hardship. The author, also the illustrator, did a magnificent job on the colorful collages to demonstrate the positiveness of these spiritual songs. The melodies included at the end of the book enable readers who can play piano or other musical instrument to self teach themselves the songs. Recommend for grades 3 to 5.
Reviews
From Kirkus Review
An extra-large trim size, a vibrant palette and Bryan’s glorious cut-paper collage illustrations add up to a marvelous interpretation of three traditional African-American spirituals: “This Little Light of Mine,” “Oh, When the Saints Go Marching In” and “He’s Got the Whole World in His Hands.” Intriguing endpapers show larger-than-life hands set against flowing stripes of color, with scissors and cut-paper shapes hinting at the arresting artistic style within. Children in silhouette are the main design element for the first two songs, with the final song illustrated with remarkable images of huge hands holding up different elements of the world. The volume’s large size and brilliant colors make this a natural choice for a rousing sing-along with a group, and the musical notation for the songs is included. Incorporated into these final spreads with the music are concluding illustrations for every song, each focusing on a shining source of light. (Nonfiction. 3-8)
Kirkus Review. (Dec. 2006). [Review for the book Let It Shine, by Ashley Bryan.] Kirkus Review, retrieve from https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/ashley-bryan/let-it-shine-2/.
From Booklist
The inspiring words of three well-known spirituals, "This Little Light of Mine," "Oh, When the Saints Go Marching In," and "He's Got the Whole World in His Hands," are matched with powerful construction-paper collage illustrations. Each double-page spread of this oversize picture book is an explosion of shapes and bright colors. Stocky figures, silhouetted against swirling colors are created from geometric shapes woven together. Rather than conceive a story to accompany the lyrics, Bryan presents series of scenes to reflect each set of lyrics. Children dance around with candles and march with saints; God holds a world of colored objects in his hands. The musical notation and lyrics for each song appear at the end of the book, as does a brief note from Bryan about the history of the spiritual and the changes he made in some of the lyrics. This will be hard to read without breaking into song. Category: Books for the Young--Nonfiction. 2007, Simon & Schuster/Atheneum, $16.99.
Enos, Randal. (November 2006). [Review for the book Let it Shine, by Ashley Bryan.] Booklist, 103(6).
Value to the Library
Elementary School Library
During Black History Month, the library can present a book talk featuring different literature on slavery and have a discussion on ways to keep going in difficult times.
Reference
Bryan, Ashley. (2007). Let it shine, Atheneum Books for Young Readers, Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing Division.
Librarian's Corner
After being reminded on how terrible slavery was from reading The Slave Dancer, it amazes me that these African Americans still had a way of having faith and believing in their Gods so they could move on each day. Through the lyrics of these three spiritual songs, I could feel their sorrow and hopes, and the words really send a positive message to get the slaves through the hardship. The author, also the illustrator, did a magnificent job on the colorful collages to demonstrate the positiveness of these spiritual songs. The melodies included at the end of the book enable readers who can play piano or other musical instrument to self teach themselves the songs. Recommend for grades 3 to 5.
Reviews
From Kirkus Review
An extra-large trim size, a vibrant palette and Bryan’s glorious cut-paper collage illustrations add up to a marvelous interpretation of three traditional African-American spirituals: “This Little Light of Mine,” “Oh, When the Saints Go Marching In” and “He’s Got the Whole World in His Hands.” Intriguing endpapers show larger-than-life hands set against flowing stripes of color, with scissors and cut-paper shapes hinting at the arresting artistic style within. Children in silhouette are the main design element for the first two songs, with the final song illustrated with remarkable images of huge hands holding up different elements of the world. The volume’s large size and brilliant colors make this a natural choice for a rousing sing-along with a group, and the musical notation for the songs is included. Incorporated into these final spreads with the music are concluding illustrations for every song, each focusing on a shining source of light. (Nonfiction. 3-8)
Kirkus Review. (Dec. 2006). [Review for the book Let It Shine, by Ashley Bryan.] Kirkus Review, retrieve from https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/ashley-bryan/let-it-shine-2/.
From Booklist
The inspiring words of three well-known spirituals, "This Little Light of Mine," "Oh, When the Saints Go Marching In," and "He's Got the Whole World in His Hands," are matched with powerful construction-paper collage illustrations. Each double-page spread of this oversize picture book is an explosion of shapes and bright colors. Stocky figures, silhouetted against swirling colors are created from geometric shapes woven together. Rather than conceive a story to accompany the lyrics, Bryan presents series of scenes to reflect each set of lyrics. Children dance around with candles and march with saints; God holds a world of colored objects in his hands. The musical notation and lyrics for each song appear at the end of the book, as does a brief note from Bryan about the history of the spiritual and the changes he made in some of the lyrics. This will be hard to read without breaking into song. Category: Books for the Young--Nonfiction. 2007, Simon & Schuster/Atheneum, $16.99.
Enos, Randal. (November 2006). [Review for the book Let it Shine, by Ashley Bryan.] Booklist, 103(6).
Value to the Library
Elementary School Library
During Black History Month, the library can present a book talk featuring different literature on slavery and have a discussion on ways to keep going in difficult times.
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