Let it Shine: Three Favorite Spirituals

Let It Shine: Three Favorite Spirituals collects three African American spiritual songs: "This Little Light of Mine," "Oh, When the Saints Go Marching In," and "He's Got the Whole World in His Hands." The book presents each song with full lyrics and vibrant paper-cut illustrations. The artwork features bold colors and geometric patterns that reflect traditional African art styles. Each page spread contains a portion of the song lyrics integrated with illustrations of people, nature, and symbolic elements. Ashley Bryan's interpretation connects these spirituals to both their historical roots in African American culture and their universal messages of hope and community. The songs' themes of perseverance and faith remain relevant for contemporary readers of all backgrounds.

Readers value this children's adaptation of three spirituals ("This Little Light of Mine," "Oh, When the Saints Go Marching In," "He's Got the Whole World in His Hands") for its vibrant illustrations and cultural significance. Parents and teachers report that children engage with the familiar lyrics and bold artwork. What readers liked: - Colorful, folk art-style illustrations - Large, easy-to-read text for singing along - Historical context provided in author's note - Effective introduction to spirituals for young children What readers disliked: - Some found the illustrations too busy or overwhelming - Limited content with only three songs included Ratings: Goodreads: 4.17/5 (246 ratings) Amazon: 4.8/5 (31 ratings) Notable reader comment: "The illustrations are a perfect match for these joyful songs. My preschool students love to sing along while looking at the pictures." - Goodreads reviewer Professional reviews from School Library Journal and Kirkus Reviews highlighted the book's success in making spirituals accessible to young readers.

Moses: When Harriet Tubman Led Her People to Freedom by Carole Boston Weatherford A poetic narrative interweaves spirituals with Tubman's journey on the Underground Railroad.

Follow the Drinking Gourd by Jeanette Winter The story chronicles how slaves used the folk song as a map to follow the North Star to freedom.

This Little Light of Mine by E.B. Lewis The illustrated version of the spiritual connects generations through shared music and celebration.

Henry's Freedom Box by Ellen Levine The true story incorporates spiritual songs while telling how Henry Brown mailed himself to freedom in 1849.

Before She Was Harriet by Lesa Cline-Ransome The biography weaves spirituals through the many roles Harriet Tubman played in her lifetime.

✦ Ashley Bryan illustrated this collection using vibrant paper collage techniques, creating his artwork entirely from hand-painted papers he cut and arranged himself. ✦ The three spirituals featured in the book - "This Little Light of Mine," "Oh, When the Saints Go Marching In," and "He's Got the Whole World in His Hands" - emerged during the era of American slavery as songs of hope and resistance. ✦ Author-illustrator Ashley Bryan grew up in the Bronx during the Great Depression and began his artistic career at age three, drawing with chalk on sidewalks. ✦ Spirituals like those in this book often contained coded messages that helped enslaved people communicate about escape routes and safe houses along the Underground Railroad. ✦ The book earned the Coretta Scott King Honor for its illustrations in 2014, one of many awards Ashley Bryan received during his career spanning more than 50 years.