Let’s Go by Julie Flett is a vibrant children’s book that explores the exhilarating world of skateboarding through the eyes of a young boy. Set against lively illustrations, the story celebrates friendship, determination, and community engagement. Ideal for grades K to 3, the book integrates seamlessly into language arts and physical education curricula. It enhances literacy skills through discussions on plot, characters, and themes while promoting physical fitness and coordination by introducing the basics of skateboarding. Students also learn social skills like teamwork and respect for others’ interests. Activities can include safe skateboarding introductions, writing reflections on personal challenges, and exploring skateboarding culture through community connections.

It also teaches Cree language as it shares several words throughout the story. Let’s Go not only inspires children to embrace new experiences with enthusiasm but also fosters a sense of community and a passion for active lifestyles, making it a valuable addition to classroom learning.

Other End Matter: Cree Definitions
Images: Colour illustrations
Contributor Affiliation: Author & Illustrator Julie Flett (Cree-Métis)
Bibliography: No
Index: No

Evaluator: David D., Indigenous Educator & Administrator, Indigenous Books for Schools

Julie Flett is an award-winning Cree-Metis author, illustrator and artist. She has received many awards, including the 2016 American Indian Library Association Award for Best Picture Book for Little You, written by Richard Van Camp (Orca Books), and the Canadian Christie Harris Illustrated Children’s Literature Award in 2015 for Dolphins SOS, written by Roy Miki (Tradewind Books) and in 2017 for My Heart Fills with Happiness, written by Monique Gray Smith (Orca Books), and was nominated for the Governor General’s Award for Children’s Literature for her book Owls See Clearly at Night (Lii Yiiboo Nayaapiwak lii Swer): A Michif Alphabet (L’alphabet di Michif). Her own Wild Berries (Simply Read Books) was chosen as Canada’s First Nation Communities Read title selection for 2014-2015.

www.julieflett.com

Julie Flett's profile page

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

"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."
—Cooperative Children’s Book Center

“A delightful first purchase. Highly recommended.”
—School Library Journal, STARRED Review

“Joyously celebrates the sport and community….dynamic and energetic.”
—Julie Danielson, Shelf Awareness for Readers

"With spare, poetic text and evocative images, Flett brings readers of all ages into the world of a child gathering the courage to skateboard [and includes] with some Cree words that describe skateboarding and its intuitive flow state—a state this picture book manages to capture on every page."
—Literary Hub

"Flett’s simple and elegant pastels, oriented horizontally (reminiscent of Ezra Jack Keats), do a beautiful job of capturing the grace and speed of skateboarding….This intriguing look at contemporary Native life emphasizes the passing down of tradition, whether it’s the Cree language or the culture of the skate park. Highly recommended for all children’s collections.”
—Youth Services Book Review, STARRED Review

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

“Extraordinary…. A fun read from start to finish, "Let's Go!" is especially and unreservedly recommended as a choice pick for family, daycare center, preschool, elementary school, and community library Self-Esteem and Family Life picture book collections for ages 3-8.”
—Midwest Book Review

“Masterful, simple, powerful….a must-read for anyone who skateboards or wants to — or doesn’t.”
—Amina Chaudri, Booklist

“Using onomatopoeic language to capture the sounds of the sport, Cree-Métis creator Flett (We All Play) shows the hard work and investment of time that goes into both learning a new skill and becoming ‘a part of something—/ and myself.’”
—Publishers Weekly, STARRED review