Review: Remember by Joy Harjo, Illustrated by Michaela Goade
remembering brings us closer to ourselves
Remember by Joy Harjo, illustrated by Caldecott Medalist Michaela Goade, is a delightful picture book that pays homage to Native American ancestors and Earth. I first listened to the audio, which was narrated by Harjo, a member of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation. She has such a calming voice, but I wanted to see the pictures in this book. I grabbed a copy from the library, so I could see how Goade illustrated this poem.
Each page reflects on Goade’s Alaskan Native American heritage from the Tlingit and Haida tribes. I found it interesting that Goade calls upon her own native histories and tales for the illustrations. The poems weaves well with the images Goade creates of the raven who brings forth the sun, stars, and moon.
There are no tricks here. Raven is the catalyst for the true story of a young girl borth of earth and sky. Harjo’s words weave their remembrance magic as we travel with this young girl who grows into a young woman with strong ties to her ancestors.
Remember by Joy Harjo, illustrated by Caldecott Medalist Michaela Goade, is beautiful, and could be read to children at bedtime. It has that lullaby quality but with an important message for all of us. We are of earth, sky, and each other. We should take that to heart and care for each other.
RATING: Cinquain
About the Poet:
Joy Harjo is an internationally renowned poet, performer, and writer of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation and served three terms as the 23rd Poet Laureate of the United States. Harjo is the author of ten books of poetry, several plays, children's books, and two memoirs; she has also produced seven award-winning music albums and edited several anthologies. Her many honors include the Ruth Lily Prize from the Poetry Foundation, the Academy of American Poets Wallace Stevens Award, two NEA fellowships, a Guggenheim Fellowship, and a Tulsa Artist Fellowship. She is a chancellor of the Academy of American Poets and Board of Directors Chair of the Native Arts & Cultures Foundation. She lives in Tulsa, Oklahoma, where she is the inaugural Artist-in-Residence for the Bob Dylan Center.
About the Illustrator:
Michaela Goade is the 2021 Caldecott Medal winning illustrator of New York Times Bestselling "We Are Water Protectors" (also a Kirkus Prize Finalist) as well as other books "I Sang You Down from the Stars," "Shanyaak'utlaax: Salmon Boy" (American Indian Youth Literature Award for Best Picture Book 2018) and "Encounter."
Michaela is Tlingit and a tribal citizen of the Central Council of Tlingit & Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska. She grew up in the rainforest and beaches of Southeast Alaska and lives today in Sheet'ká (Sitka), Alaska, an island at the edge of a wide, wild sea. Visit her online at www.michaelagoade.com.