Praise for I Love You Too, a previous children's picture book by Ziggy Marley based on a song of his with the same name:
"A sweetly affectionate ode to togetherness and love." —Publishers Weekly
"Lyrics inspired by an exchange with Marley's 3-year-old daughter are set to bright paintings of a multicultural cast of children and adults enjoying each other's company indoors and out . . . The art will draw and hold young children's attention." —Kirkus Reviews
"Sure to be a hit at bedtime, the lyrical story conveys the sweet, soothing, and affirming message." —School Library Journal
"The emphasis of this book is that love has no boundaries." —New York Journal of Books
"This looks to be on our home charts for weeks, months, maybe even years." —Austin Chronicle
"An inspiring storybook edition of the lyrics of famous reggae performer Ziggy Marley . . . song lyrics are surrounded and set in warm, vivid illustrations of children of many hues, laughing and playing with loving parents and grandparents in a healthy, light, balanced natural world." —Midwest Book Review
"Orly Marley, 42, adores the tale husband Ziggy wrote for daughter Judah, 9." —Us Weekly,"Objects of Affection" mention
10/01/2022
K-Gr 3—Get ready to bop your head along to this vibrantly illustrated book version of Ziggy Marley's 2020 hit song of the same name. The illustrations, filled with children and families with a wide range of skin tones, natural hairstyles, and hair wraps, accompany words that fairly flow off of the page. These familiar lyrics go on to remind readers that music truly is in everything, in nature and in how we explore our senses: trees dancing in the wind, raindrops on the ground, laughter of a friend, and the banging of pots in the kitchen. It's a wonderful read-aloud, intended to be accompanied by rice shakers, for which there are instructions. VERDICT Some songs do not make the transition to picture books; this one elevates the form. A beautiful addition to any library.—Katherine Forsman
2022-07-13
Readers are encouraged to find the music in everything in this picture-book adaptation of Marley’s exuberant song.
Before reading this book, take a moment to find a YouTube video of Marley and company singing “Music Is in Everything.” Those who try to force this story into standard meter and rhyme will find that the text falls flat. But if readers can find the groove and hear the music in the words, the text becomes a playful read accompanied by illustrations of a multigenerational, multiethnic extended family gathering one Saturday afternoon to make music. Some bring instruments with them, while others create percussion instruments from pots, pans, jars, and, most importantly, hands. The illustration of the family’s large and small clapping hands in a spectrum of skin tones sends a powerful, uplifting message about the universality of music. The words and engaging illustrations alternately send readers out into nature to find and listen to the music of the ocean, the wind, a river, and a beehive and then pull them back to the house, where the family joyously plays instruments, sings, dances, and laughs. Instructions in the backmatter show readers how to make a shaker and join in the musical fun, though no score to the song is included. Children will enjoy listening to this story and creating their own music, complete with handmade instruments. (This book was reviewed digitally.)
Close your eyes, listen to the music, and experience the joy of family with this buoyant tale. (Picture book. 3-8)
