Bob Marley Day Picture Books

Celebrating my birthday. This one's for you Bob Marley.

Yesterday was Bob Marley's birthday.  He was born on February 6, 1945 in Nine Mile, St. Ann parish, Jamaica.  If he were alive today, he would be 73 years old.  I am particularly partial to Bob Marley and his birthplace.  Not only because I used to wear my hair in dreadlocks, played keyboards and sang back up in a reggae band having performed some of Bob Marley's songs.  Or the fact that I was married to a musician and we have performed reggae songs together or that Bob Marley's birthday was declared a Toronto holiday by former mayor David Miller (see here), or that Redemption song is the only song I can play on the guitar or that it was inspired by a St. Ann's-native the late Honourable Marcus Garvey and a famous speech he made in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.  Or the fact that my father went to one of Bob Marley's final concerts at Maple Leaf Gardens in  1979 which you can listen to here.  These are plenty reasons to be partial but first and foremost my parents and family are from St. Ann parish, not far from Bob Marley was born.  In fact several years ago, I visited the Bob Marley Museum in Nine Mile, set in the Harbour Mountains.  There, I was asked if I was a cousin to the family.  I graciously said "no" but you never know.

Happy birthday, "Uncle" Bob Marley!  Here are some picture books that celebrate Bob Marley's birthday. 

​1. One Love
Written by Cedella Marley, illustrated by Vanessa Brantley-Newton (2011, Chronicle Books)
I love a book like this, one that is based on a well-loved song.  This book is a favourite in the kindergarten and primary classrooms.  The language is playful and the pictures are by one of my favourite illustrators and colleagues, Vanessa Brantley-Newton.  This book is pure joy and love, diverse and lovely.  Written by Bob Marley's daughter, you can find the book trailer
here.

​2. Every Little Thing 
Written by Cedella Marley, illustrated by Vanessa Brantley-Newton (2012, Chronicle Books)
This is a lovely book that speaks to children.  Created by the same team as One Love, it shows how the fears that a child may have can be overcome by many reminders.  Very comforting and vibrant and joyfully "boyful".  Here is a link to a book traler.

​3. I and I 
Written by Tony Medina, illustrated by Jesse Joshua Watson (2009, Lee & Low Books)
This book is a personal favourite.  It is full of luscious, scrumptious, gorgeous poetry and the illustrations are lifelike, rich, and "give life" .  I have had copies of this book in my classroom and they are so popular that I take them out for special displays so they don't end up in tatters.  The children love this book too.

​​4. Greetings, Leroy
Written by Itah Sadu, illustrated by Alix Delinois (2016, Groundwood Books)
This is an immigration story which chronicles the experience of a young Jamaican boy coming to Canada.  Through letters, Leroy shares his very earliest experiences and attachment to things from home like his love of Bob Marley's music.