“One love, one heart, let’s get together and feel all right.”
While my personal musical preferences usually don’t go toward reggae, those lyrics are definitely familiar to me, and there’s no way to read them without hearing Bob Marley’s distinctive voice singing in my head. The simple message behind those words has come to life in a new picture book, One Love, with text adapted from the lyrics by Marley’s daughter Cedella Marley and illustrations by Vanessa Brantley-Newton.
Through the incredibly vibrant and energetic illustrations, a story is told of three children who decide to bring their community together to improve their neighborhood play space. It’s hard work, but the effort of everyone getting together to help out makes all the difference. The text, which is based on Bob Marley’s song, highlights the love shared between family members, among friends, and within a community that cares for its members and its environment.
I appreciated the natural feeling of diversity represented by the members of the community, which looks and feels a lot like the community in which my own children are growing up. And, Cedella Marley’s love for her father is felt in the small tributes made to him throughout the book’s illustrations- from the iconic Bob Marley poster above the little girl’s bed to his face on another’s t-shirt.
Want to get a feeling for the book? Watch Cedella Marley discuss her inspiration for the book. And, you’ve got to see the lovely book trailer, too:
We’re happy to share a giveaway offer with you! We have a copy of the book, a plush doll of the main character, and some buttons to declare your own feeling of One Love! Just leave a comment here to be entered!
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When Dawn’s not teaching preschool, reading with her own kids, or desperately trying to keep her house from looking like a tornado just came through, she enjoys blogging away at my thoughts exactly.
My kids would love this! Thanks for the giveaway!
Margaret
[email protected]
Congratulations, Margaret, you’re our winner. Please email me at morninglightmama (at) gmail (dot) com with your mailing information!
Love it! So perfect!
This looks like a great read
What a great trailer. Now I can’t wait to get my hands on the book. Thanks for sharing the review and the video of Cedella!
Sounds so good. Thanks for giveaway.
I would love to share this with my daughter. Thanks for the chance!
How adorable!
Would love to be entered!
Rica
Would love to share this with my granddaughter.
ONE LOVE looks just amazing. Yes please!!
marypres(AT)gmail(DOT)com
I didn’t know there was a DOLL! Yeah, put me in the drawing.
Please enter me. thank you!
This looks lite a cute book.
very cute little set! great gift.
Would LOVE to win this! So neat!
This looks like a very cute book.
lkish77123 at gmail dot com
I’d love to win this for my boys! Thanks, Maureen (jnomaxx at hotmail dot com)
Looks like a cute book!
I would love to read this to my n iece and nephew – thanks for the chance!
I’d love to read this with my little ones!
Looks like a great book!
mearley1979 at gmail dot com
love uplifting books like this! adding it to my wishlist!