African-American author/illustrator Ashley Bryan used cut construction paper in vivid colors with lots of different components represented to create LET IT SHINE: THREE FAVORITE SPIRITUALS. Each page illustrates phrases from three of his favorite African-American spirituals. During the time of slavery, slaves were not permitted to learn to read or write, but they would express and share their dreams and lives through songs. Ashley Bryan honored the spirituals: "This Little Light," ""When the Saints," and "In His Hands."
All three of these I have heard since childhood, but I loved seeing the way the author included all elements of each song phrase on the pages. What a feast to the eyes! Once again, this wonderful award winning book presents opportunities to teach music and art in the library. It offers such a smorgasbord of different details in the illustrations for the students to find and discuss. The students need to hear the note at the end from Ashley telling of the importance of these spirituals.
My son was able to witness the power of these spirituals. He sang with the LSU choir in Europe in the spring of 2001. In the Prague town square, they did an impromptu concert of African-American spirituals and other songs. Upon his return, he said that when they sang the spirituals, he looked into the crowd. People were weeping listening to the power of the songs, even evident in a foreign language to them. Love this book!!!
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