REMEMBER

Former U.S. poet laureate Joy Harjo, a member of the Mvskoke Nation, embraces listeners with her warm earthy voice. Repetition of the titular word, "remember," drives this celebration of connections: to family, to the earth, to the elements, to the universe. The poet's "r"s do not roll, but they linger in repeated instances of the words "remember" and "earth," exhorting listeners to hold in their memories their parents, the animals, the wind, and more. Harjo's narration is unhurried and assured. Still, listeners enjoying it alongside the stunning paintings of Michaela Goade, who is Tlingit and Haida, may want to return to them in silence to absorb their details. An author's note discussing her relationship to poetry follows; the illustrator's note is not included in the audiobook, though her acknowledgments are. Inspiring and, yes, memorable. V.S. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award © AudioFile 2023, Portland, Maine [Published: MARCH 2023]