Get Up, Stand Up

by Bob Marley, Cedella Marley (Adapted by), John Jay Cabuay (Illustrator)

Overview

The third picture book adaptation of one of Bob Marley's beloved songs that has a timely message for children: To counter injustice, lift others up with kindness and courage.

A heartfelt and meaningful book that brings Bob Marley's music to life in a new way: As a young girl goes on with her day in school, she comes across several instances of teasing and intimidation. But with loving action and some help from her friends, she's able to make things right for herself and others.

• This cute children's book includes the impactful lyrics of Bob Marley's song 'Get Up, Stand Up' that has inspired millions of listeners around the world with messages of peace, love, and truth
• Written by Cedella Marley, Bob Marley's daughter, who has dedicated herself to keeping her father's message and memory alive
• With exuberant pictures by John Jay Cabuay accompanying Marley's iconic lyrics, Get Up, Stand Up is a vibrant testament to the power we all have to make a difference

Fans of Every Little Thing and One Love will also love the lyrical rhythm and the powerful message of love, peace, and harmony presented in Get Up, Stand Up.

• Great family and classroom read-aloud book
• Appeals to readers of all ages with the light-hearted tone and cheerful illustrations
• Books for kids ages 6–8
• Children's books for early elementary students

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781452171753
Publisher:	Chronicle Books
Publication date:	02/26/2025
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	36
Lexile:	AD490L (what's this?)
File size:	3 MB
Age Range:	3 - 5 Years

About the Author

Cedella Marley, the eldest child of Bob Marley, is also the author of One Love and Three Little Birds and performs with the Melody Makers internationally. She lives in Miami, Florida.

Bob Marley, a Jamaican singer-songwriter, is one of the 20th century's most important and influential entertainment icons, and his lifestyle and music continue to inspire new generations as his legacy lives on through his music.

John Jay Cabuay received his MFA in illustration from the Fashion Institute of Technology, and his illustrations have graced the covers of newspapers, magazines, and books worldwide. He lives in New York City.

Editorial Reviews

08/19/2019

Carrying on her father’s legacy of banding people together in solidarity, Cedella Marley adds to her collection of picture book adaptations of the singer-songewriter’s beloved work with this new installment. Here, she stays close to the original song’s message as she encourages children to take ownership of their convictions and stand up for themselves and others. Cabuay supports the lyrics with the kinetic flair of a music video in boldly colored, textural pencil and digital illustrations that convey the vitality and imperative force behind Bob Marley’s message. Scenes, for example on a schoolyard, in which children are bullied or isolated are transformed, over page turns, into situations in which their peers earnestly step up to defend and include them (“Stand up for your rights”). An energetic readaloud that promises to pump up young dissenters and peacemakers. Ages 3–5. (Sept.)

Publishers Weekly

"A message of empowerment and unity . . . Joyous."—Kirkus Reviews

"A message of empowerment and unity . . . Joyous."—Kirkus Reviews

"Carrying on her father's legacy of banding people together in solidarity, Cedella Marley adds to her collection of picture book adaptations of the singer-songewriter's beloved work with this new installment. An energetic readaloud that promises to pump up young dissenters and peacemakers."—Publishers Weekly

"Carrying on her father's legacy of banding people together in solidarity, Cedella Marley adds to her collection of picture book adaptations of the singer-songewriter's beloved work with this new installment. An energetic readaloud that promises to pump up young dissenters and peacemakers."—Publishers Weekly

From the Publisher

01/24/2020

K-Gr 2—In this anti-bullying story, a group of kids overcome their problems by working together and supporting each other. Much like Marley's other children's book adaptations, nearly all the lyrics of Bob Marley's original song have been changed to make them more relatable to children. Though the message of standing up for your rights still rings true, the correlation between the words and the pictures doesn't seem as smooth. The new lyrics ("They don't speak the truth and only want their greedy wish") accompany a picture of two kids bullying a girl for wearing cat ears, which doesn't necessarily describe this very real scenario. In another instance, four kids "only thinking for what they care" are dancing while other kids look on in confusion. These kids later get to dance as well, but it's unclear what happened and how the conflict was resolved. Artwork overall is colorful and bright, which makes the story easy to follow. The variety of ethnicities depicted reflects the universal nature of the original song. VERDICT An addition to a now crowded field of anti-bullying picture books.—Peter Blenski, Hartland Public Library, WI

School Library Journal

2019-06-25
A simple modification of famous lyrics to spread an anti-bullying message that is as necessary today as on the day the song that inspired it was released.

In her third picture book offering that uses one of her father's songs as inspiration, Cedella Marley (Every Little Thing, illustrated by Vanessa Brantley-Newton, 2012, etc.) touches on the topics of bullying and ostracism and on the courage it takes to combat them. She delivers a statement about social justice and bravery in an appropriately simple style that children can grasp. The result is a message of empowerment and unity: that standing up for yourself inspires others to do the same and may help to bring people together rather than continue a practice of exclusion and belittling. It is very much in keeping with the import of Bob Marley's words in the song of the same name. Vibrant illustrations from Cabuay show a diverse cast of children, which will certainly help with accessibility to children from all walks of life. He depicts children getting up and standing up at the bus stop and on the bus, on city streets, and in parks. The final joyous double-page spread finds a joyous, multiracial crowd joining a neighborhood festival above which flies a flag depicting the late musician and the legend "One Love."

Moral: It's never too early to learn to stand up for yourself or others in the face of injustice. (afterword) (Picture book. 3-8)

Kirkus Reviews