Let A poem about wonder and possibility

Gr 1--5--This poem explores the idea that dreams are free to be created, explored, and shared, from the genesis of one verb and one concept: "let." Through the use of non-rhyming, sparse lines of poetry, and African-inspired drawings, readers are taken through the notion of "let there be" and encouraged to apply that concept to their own hopes, desires, dreams, and ideas. Though the poem itself is short, applications of this book are unlimited: Poetry Month, Creativity Week, or simply exploring connections to self. Some younger readers may struggle with occasional wordplay, such as "fir and firmament." There are brightly colored, silhouetted illustrations throughout. Ejaita's earthy imagery evokes feelings of movement, power, and intrigue. VERDICT An offering for larger libraries that will "let there be" creativity, innovation, and ideation among readers who enjoy more abstract concepts and movement-inspired illustrations.--Amanda Chacon

Silhouettes and bold colors swirl in illustrations paired to a short meditation on the first word spoken in the Book of Genesis. "Suppose," writes poet Miller, "there was a book full only of the word, let," giving existence to all things "fir and firmament." Might we not find a "Let" just for each of us, that we could say and repeat "until even silent dreams had been allowed"? Younger or less reflective audiences may find the author's trains of thought about speaking "in auto-rhyme" and "stumbl[ing] through the streets with open books / eyes crossed from too much reading" hard to unpack. But Ejaita offers accompanying scenes that will have an immediate impact on every viewer, as human and animal silhouettes join tree and other plant shapes, flowing lines of water, and sprays of stars in a dazzling and increasingly crowded dance culminating in a flurry of birds freed to fly, like the creative impulse, anywhere in our minds or world. It's a liberating invitation, though children may respond more strongly to similar but less abstract calls in the likes of Juan Felipe Hererra's Imagine (2018), illustrated by Lauren Castillo, Raúl Colón's Imagine! (2018), or Tom Burlison's Imagine That! (2020), illustrated by Sara Sanchez. (This book was reviewed digitally.) Vivid visuals for a strong, if gnomically put, proposition. (Picture book. 8-10) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.