Remember

by Joy Harjo, Michaela Goade (Illustrator)

Michaela Goade, invites young readers to pause and reflect on the wonder of the world around them, and to remember the importance of their place in it.

Remember the sky you were born under,
Know each of the star's stories.
Remember the moon, know who she is.
Remember the sun's birth at dawn,
That is the strongest point of time.

So begins the picture book adaptation of the poem that encourages young readers to reflect on family, nature, and their heritage. In simple and direct language, Harjo, a member of the Mvskoke Nation, urges readers to pay close attention to who they are, the world they were born into, and how all inhabitants on earth are connected.

Genres: Picture Books, Poetry, Indigenous, Childrens, Native American, Nature, Family

40 pages, Unknown Binding

First published March 21, 2023

About the author

Bio Joy Harjo
Joy Harjo was born in Tulsa, Oklahoma and is a member of the Mvskoke Nation. She has released four award-winning CD's of original music and won a Native American Music Award (NAMMY) for Best Female Artist of the Year. She performs nationally and internationally solo and with her band, The Arrow Dynamics. She has appeared on HBO's Def Poetry Jam, in venues in every major U.S. city and internationally. Most recently she performed We Were There When Jazz Was Invented at the Chan Centre at UBC in Vancouver, BC, and appeared at the San Miguel Writer’s Conference in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico. Her one-woman show, Wings of Night Sky, Wings of Morning Light, which features guitarist Larry Mitchell premiered in Los Angeles in 2009, with recent performances at Joe’s Pub in New York City, LaJolla Playhouse as part of the Native Voices at the Autry, and the University of British Columbia. Her seven books of poetry include such well-known titles as How We Became Human- New and Selected Poems and She Had Some Horses. Her awards include the New Mexico Governor’s Award for Excellence in the Arts, the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Native Writers Circle of the Americas, and the William Carlos Williams Award from the Poetry Society of America. She was recently awarded 2011 Artist of the Year from the Mvskoke Women’s Leadership Initiative, and a Rasmuson US Artists Fellowship. She is a founding board member and treasurer of the Native Arts and Cultures Foundation. Harjo writes a column Comings and Goings for her tribal newspaper, the Muscogee Nation News. Soul Talk, Song Language, Conversations with Joy Harjo was recently released from Wesleyan University Press. Crazy Brave, a memoir is her newest publication from W.W. Norton, and a new album of music is being produced by the drummer/producer Barrett Martin. She is at work on a new shows: We Were There When Jazz Was Invented, a musical story that proves southeastern indigenous tribes were part of the origins of American music. She lives in the Mvskoke Nation of Oklahoma.

Reviews

[s.penkevich [hiatus-will return-miss you all] · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have nothing but endless love for Joy Harjo. Poet, musician, and th 23rd US Poet Laureate—Harjo was the first indigenous writer to hold that honor—Joy Harjo weaves words into pure magic. I was thrilled to discover Remember, a picture book that takes her poem of the same name and sets it to gorgeous images from artist and Caldecott Medalist Michaela Goade. It is a multimedia experience of words and images and is just so very lovely.

Remember is one of my favorite poems by Harjo so this was really great to find. It is, perhaps, one of those picture books that I find are more keepsake treasures for the parent’s enjoyment more than necessarily a fun book for children, but I do like that it is a great way for kids to discover the beautiful words of Joy Harjo and the artwork is really delightful.

I love the full-color full page art here and I really love this poem and this book is a perfect way to better appreciate it. Here is the full text of the poem:
Remember the sky that you were born under,
know each of the star’s stories.
Remember the moon, know who she is.
Remember the sun’s birth at dawn, that is the
strongest point of time. Remember sundown
and the giving away to night.
Remember your birth, how your mother struggled
to give you form and breath. You are evidence of
her life, and her mother’s, and hers.
Remember your father. He is your life, also.
Remember the earth whose skin you are:
red earth, black earth, yellow earth, white earth
brown earth, we are earth.
Remember the plants, trees, animal life who all have their
tribes, their families, their histories, too. Talk to them,
listen to them. They are alive poems.
Remember the wind. Remember her voice. She knows the
origin of this universe.
Remember you are all people and all people
are you.
Remember you are this universe and this
universe is you.
Remember all is in motion, is growing, is you.
Remember language comes from this.
Remember the dance language is, that life is.
Remember.

[Bookishrealm · Rating 5 out of 5]

BEAUTIFUL. Absolutely beautiful. Major publishers have struggled with the inclusion of Native/Indigenous voices in children's literature and I'm happy to see that we are slowly beginning to see more. A team up of Joy Harjo and Michaela Goade was always bound to be a wonderful thing.

Remember is a poem written by Harjo that encourages readers to reflect on where they've come from in context of the world around them. Harjo speaks to this interconnectedness that is inescapable as a human being. We are connected to the earth and the earth is connected to us. While reading this, I was reminded to not only be kind to my body, but also to the earth. I have only one body and there is only one earth; therefore, I must treat it and myself with care, compassion, nurturing, kindness, gratitude, and more. Of course, this poem is deeply connected to Joy Harjo's heritage as part of the Mvskoke Nation; however, it's a message that is relevant to us all. I will say that a younger audience will be able to appreciate the artwork in this one; however, they may struggle with the context of Harjo's words. Nevertheless, it's one that should be on every shelf of every library and in the homes of all readers.

[Rod Brown · Rating 2 out of 5]

My wife and I are celebrating our 30th wedding anniversary by reading picture books aloud to each other. (3 of 5)

Oh, dear. Poetry. ~sigh~

This is a picture book version of Joy Harjo's poem, "Remember," which was previously published in She Had Some Horses in 1983. It seems the poem has been altered slightly, with some lines moved and omitted near the very end. (You can read the poem here.)

The art and words are a good match, with a heavy emphasis on creation myth and loving nature, but I just don't much care for this sort of poetry. And most other sorts of poetry, for that matter.

[HorrorBabe911 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful illustrations.

[Sunny · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well, that was a first. I cried as my partner read this book to me. It’s so beautiful. Just do yourself a favor and read it. Meditate on the words. Let them surround you, penetrate your heart and live inside you forever. You are the universe. The universe is you.
*Favorite Children’s book read in 2023

[Liz · Rating 5 out of 5]

This picture book adaptation of the renowned poem is beautifully illustrated by Goade. She draws on her Tlingit culture to visualize Harjo's words, especially drawing on creation stories. This is a good book to read outside or for more of a meditative read. Really makes you appreciate the world around you.

[Brandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely beautiful. The writing is so lyrical, it brings you on a beautiful journey. And the artwork is gorgeous. Loved it!

[Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

5/5

Beautiful 😭❤️ This really moved me and I’m going to need to buy a copy for when I need to be reminded of this story’s powerful message.

[Lee]

Not my favorite, but I can see myself liking other poems by the author.

[Peacegal · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, this artwork is truly incredible. Each page is a new stunning delight.

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

A meaningful poem, and just the most stunning illustrations by Michaela Goade.

[Ms. B · Rating 3 out of 5]

The illustrations are gorgeous in this creation story by United States poet laureate Joy Harjo.

[Ariana Mendoza · Rating 5 out of 5]

We are as powerful as the infinite universe because we carry it in our memories. We remember the sky, the earth, our families, and all the pieces that make us whole.
The book Remember by Joy Harjo is a poetry book filled with lyrical and reflective literature. With that being said, I want to go ahead and give you a short summary of what you might find in the book. Joy Harjo helps us reflect on our connection to the earth, our family, and ourselves. The book is written in a poetic manner where the reader is asked to “remember” where they came from. not just about their families or community that helped create their background but instead the natural world that supports and surrounds them. The way the author shows this is by telling me to remember the sky, the stars, the moon, and the sun, all of which are elements of the natural world that we live in and will always be with us, watching and guiding us to move through life. She also tells us to remember our birth, our family, and ourselves, ancestors, and the people who helped shape our lives by their own stories, and live. A line in the book says, “Remember the earth whose skin you are in,” which made me remember how we are more than just humans; we are the humans that are in this world trying to do something better. Something else that I really like about this book is that it doesn’t just focus on the people but also focuses on the animals, plants, and our dreams that we hope to accomplish. This truly shows us how everything around matters.


Adding onto this book, I would like to address the theme of this book. A major theme that I saw in the book is identity and connection to nature. The theme of identity is truly shown throughout the whole book that reminds the reader to remember their family and to help me as a reader to understand that we come from generations of people who shaped who we are today. The way that connects to nature is a theme since Harjo encourages me as the reader to remember the sky and the sun’s birth at dawn. This shows how nature is not just a background but is part of who we are. This poem reminds me that I am, and the people around me are, so deeply connected with the earth, its cycles, and its energy, and all I have to do is remember the earth and continue to take care of it.


I would recommend this book to be read positively during Earth Day since children could read this book and learn the importance of knowing where they come from and to remember to respect the natural world that we live in. It also teaches how everything on Earth is connected and that we should treat others and nature with pure kindness and love.

Through the book, there are two literary devices that are being used quite a lot, one of them being repetition by the word “remember.” It is related at the beginning of almost every line, which creates a steady rhythm. Harjo also uses imagery through the poem; she describes the “moon who walks her path across the sky.” This visual helps me picture nature as something that is alive, which helps strengthen the connection with the illustration because you can just imagine what it's like while looking at the pictures.


The second-to-last thing that I would like to my review so you truly know what this book is about is whether it's an anti-bias book or not, and I would consider this book to be an anti-bias book because it teaches children to respect people and nature. Nor does it focus on any one race or a group of people, but instead it welcomes everyone to think about their identity and background and to think about the universe and how everything is connected.


Lastly, I would say that this book was truly a WOW book for me because it was so powerful. It made me reflect on myself, my roots, and the places I come from. The universe may be vast and endless, but we are just as powerful—because we carry it within us through memory. This book reminded me how important it is to care for the world we live in—the same world we’ve often taken from and damaged, yet it continues to bloom with beauty and strength. Remember, it may be short, but its message is lasting. It makes you pause, think, and appreciate the deep connections we have to nature, to others, and to ourselves.

[Julie Senn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Remember to remember “Remember” By Joy Harjo…

In this meditative poem, Joy Harjo invites her readers to remember their ancestral roots through nature: the sky, stars, moon, sun, and cycles of day and night. It also highlights the importance of one's birth and their family lineage, emphasizing the livelihood and even struggles our mothers faced and our fathers standing as pillars of strength; the foundational structure holding the family together in unity. She employs us to seek gratitude to the earth, acknowledge and appreciate all living beings (from plants and animals to the wind) that each serve their unique purpose and hold stories of their own. The poem concludes with an emphasis about how everything in life is connected; unified; one.

The major themes in the book include: unity, connection, gratitude/appreciation, (respect for) nature, ancestry, mindfulness/reflection, humanity, and spirituality.
This story/poem is classified as poetry for its genre.
Children reading this book can learn about gratitude for the simple things in life that you might otherwise take for granted: nature, your parents, the earth, the weather, etc. It might also teach them to stop and reflect on their surroundings – take a moment to pause and just “be”; be present with the universe and be at peace with where you are in the present.
This book was a WOW book for me because I am a huge advocate and proponent for mental wellness practices or activities such as meditation, positive affirmations/manifesting, breathwork, yoga, tai chi, mindfulness, therapy, journaling, etc. and this poem falls under that meditative-affirmation category. I felt very calm, at ease, and relaxed listening to the author recite it, and found myself replaying it about seven or eight times in a row. The uniquely colorful illustrations were an added bonus as well.


A literary device used in this book is its repetition, with the use of “remember” being used 16 times throughout the one-minute audio of the author narrating her poem. Another literary device used is personification in the example of “the moon’s face” and perhaps even “the earth is your grandmother.” The latter may be a bit of a stretch, but it also is a metaphor which is another literary device. The repetition strengthens the impact of the book because it serves as a double entendre. While Joy was urging us to remember the examples throughout the book, my brain circled around the word "remember" all throughout the following day. Though, beacuse I listened to the audio version of the poem repetitively, it actually became a semantic satiation so I forgot (opposite of remember) the meaning for the word and had to take a little break to recollect my thoughts (talk about an oxymoron (which is another literary device, but not the author's intent and not reflected in her actual writing; moreso the cause the poem had on me. Ha!). The personifcation also added a whimsical effect and made it more playful (in my opinion) and personable - hence the definition, adding human-like qualities onto non-living things.
I would consider this book to be an anti-bias book because the entire structure of the poem is about humanity. Not a single race, culture, ethnicity, gender, sex, religion, heritage, etc. was mentioned. It’s all about unity and being/becoming one – how we are all intertwined with veryone and everything. It encourages us to celebrate our life and give thanks and appreciation to who we are and where we are in our journey.

[Gloria Barrios]

If you need a beautiful reminder of from who and from where we come from, this is your book. It was such an inspirational and grounding book. This book is a complete experience. It's truly beautiful. this book is about who we are, who we come from, who we are, and what part we play in this world. The book is about the spiritual connections we share with the world. Common themes that I noticed throughout the book were unity and spiritual connection. Joy was able to describe unity many ways, like the different color of the earth all make one earth. Even more specific she says, " Remember you are all people, and all people are you." The book is all about our spiritual connection to the earth. I was able to see that through the drawings. The book taught me to appreciate the world around and what we all as human can bring to the world.
This book was a WOW book for me because of the message. It so beautiful and strong. It reminds us of who we are and who we are with the world around us. It reminds us to appreciate the sun, the moon, the wind, and many others thing we overlook a lot of the times.

One of the literary devices that really stood out to me in the book was anthropomorphism. She refers to the plants, trees, and animal life as them, she says "talk to them, listen to them." I think it really enhanced the book because we can feel for the object as if they are us. We can appreciate them and even connect with them in deeper level. There’s also a lot of repetition going on in the book. Joy says "remember" a lot throughout the book to get her message across of all the things we forget to appreciate. I would consider this book to be anti-bias because of the diction that Joy used. It doesn't have any bias language on the contrary it's about unity and equality. This book is such a beautiful way to remind children of who we are, where we come from and that we are one.

[Thalia · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a poem about the importance of remembering our family, our history, and our earth. I believe that family is one of the themes addressed in this book. The theme of family is mentioned frequently in the book, especially when the author mentions remembering our family members. They emphasized a lot on remembering the people who brought us to this earth. Another theme mentioned is connecting with earth. The author does this by talking about the sun and the moon and all living things that are important and we need to remember. Joy Harjo's poem reminds us of the importance of having that human connection with others and having that connection with all living things around us. From reading this book, I learned the value of remembering family and the past, as well connecting with nature and others.

The author also used some writing techniques such as repetition and imagery. Throughout the book, the author uses the word "remember" several times. The author uses that word frequently to emphasize the importance of remembering these people/things. Repetition is an effective technique because it allows the author to emphasize the importance they want to convey. Even though the poem is short, the author expresses their message through the illustrations included in the book, which helps the reader understand the message much better. This is a WOW book for me because the author did an excellent job of communicating this message to the readers through imagery and words.

[Todd · Rating 3 out of 5]

This picture book has beautiful illustrations by Caldecott-winning illustrator Goade, coupled with a thirty-year old, but generally timeless poem, by US Poet Laureate Harjo. The bookmaking is fantastic, with its oversized panels and lovely font choice for the poem's strong message and economy of words.

One of my minor concerns is that the poem doesn't feel exactly a match for the book's young audience. It seems like it should be, but it doesn't quite work for me. This is the third Goade-illustrated book I'm familiar with, and while I'm mostly in awe of her Tlingit art, I can't quite connect with her human faces. The cover image in particular. It may just be my personal taste.

Finally, this feels like an "event" book, like how amazing that these two powerhouses came together. Like a pop or country music duet matching two superstars. But for all the pomp, the resulting product is...three stars.

[Lalah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Remember by Joy Harjo is a heartfelt poem I think both children and adults should read. In this poem, Joy explores all the elements we should remember about our life. For example, our parents’ life, beautiful sunsets, and the trees. While reading the poem I reflect upon the things I remember and how grateful I am. The major themes in the poem were appreciating life’s elements and aspects. The author touches on remembering the earth’s sky, stars, and plants. Appreciating loved ones and embracing your unique self was heavily discussed. The genre of this book falls under poetry. Through reading this book, I learned I should begin to recognize the little things in life I am grateful for. Children reading this book could begin to admire and remember the big and small things of life. This book was a WOW book for me because it was short and filled with deep meanings.
Two of the literary devices the author used in writing this book were personification and hyperboles. These literary devices added to the quality of the writing in this book by showing how humans, animals and plants are connected to earth. Hyperboles were used when the author was stating some natural skin colors, but also incorporated colors such as blue. The author portrayed anti-bias perspectives in this book by recognizing various skin colors.

[Becky · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful poem displays the the beauty of the natural world and offers readers an opportunity to how they are connected. Michaela Goade illustrates this spectacular picture book in deep, rich colors. Joy Harjo nudges is to consider our connection to earth and our ancestors.

[Srujan · Rating 5 out of 5]

An impactful book with a powerful message. The poetry will be a bit hard for kids under 5 to appreciate, so I will recommend this for older children and grownups who appreciate picture books for sure. :)

[Shakira · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful!

[Janae (The Modish Geek)]

The artwork is beautiful!

[Lauren Z · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stunning.

[Barb reads......it ALL! · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful....just, beautiful! The illustrations, the message...beautiful!

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book to my eighth grade students before writing a Cree naming poems the week of Thanksgiving. The pictures are absolutely gorgeous. The book is about remembering where you’re from: your ancestors, the moon, the sun. It’s a short read with gorgeous illustrations from Caldecott artist, Michaela Goade. The author Joy Harjo is the 23rd poet laureate of the United States. She is part of the Mvskoke nation.

[Jenny · Rating 4 out of 5]

This poem about remembering the beauty all around us and the experiences of life is accompanied by exquisite illustrations.

[Jessie Rose M. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Recommended by Dr. Debbie Reese. A gorgeous book in every way.

[Lindsey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow incredible illustrations and authors note. Such a beautiful meditation on how people and the earth are interconnected ❤️‍🔥. Thanks PRHAudio for the audiobook!

[Bethe · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 stars. Exceptional illustrations inspired by the artist’s Native American heritage bring the text to life. The poem is an ode to creation, our place in it, the importance and value of all life. Inspiring author and illustrator notes.

[Alyssa Gudenburr · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful illustrations bring to life an equally beautiful poem. Drawn from the Tlingit culture.