Module 3: Let It Shine

Image from Amazon
Summary:
Mr. Bryan presents three well known spirituals (This Little Light of Mine, When The Saints Come Marching In, He's Got the Whole World in His Hands) using construction paper collages to bring the words to life. He uses multiple images to express the words of the songs- from people taking part in all types of tasks while shining their light, to a parent-like image cradling a small child. The book ends with the words and musical scores printed for each song with one representative image.

My Thoughts:
Originally, I had planned to blog about Officer Buckle and Gloria, which has always been a personal favorite of mine. However, after reading through this book, I knew I would choose this one instead. The illustrations are INCREDIBLE. After only two pages I found myself turning back to see what medium the artist used to create these images. Construction paper! Amazing! While reading (and humming) along, I found myself touching the pages. I knew, of course, that these were flat images, but I just could not resist attempting to feel for texture. My favorite image is the hands of God holding the sun, moon, stars and wind. The intricacy of how each element is place withing the large colorful hands brought this spiritual to life in a way that I could never have imagined. I look forward to sharing this book with others for years to come.

Their Thoughts:
Excerpt from Booklist:
"The inspiring words of three well-known spirituals, "This Little Light of Mine," "Oh, When the Saints Go Marching In," and "He's Got the Whole World in His Hands," are matched with powerful construction-paper collage illustrations. Each double-page spread of this oversize picture book is an explosion of shapes and bright colors. Stocky figures, silhouetted against swirling colors are created from geometric shapes woven together. Rather than conceive a story to accompany the lyrics, Bryan presents series of scenes to reflect each set of lyrics. Children dance around with candles and march with saints; God holds a world of colored objects in his hands."

Winner, Coretta Scott King Award (2008)

My Ideas:
As part of a Black History Month celebration, it would be interesting to study the roll of spirituals in the times of slaves. Let it Shine would serve as a great discussion opener on how spirituals affected the daily lives of slaves. Students could use online research as a means for discovering more traditional spirituals, and attempt to illustrate one line themselves, perhaps even in the same medium as Mr. Bryan.