Kid Konnection: One Love Review, Guest Post & Giveaway

Every Saturday, I host a feature called Kid Konnection -- a regular weekend feature about anything related to children's books. This week, I'm going to share with you a precious picture book based on Bob Marley's song One Love.

Summary: Adapted from one of Bob Marley’s most beloved songs, One Love brings the joyful spirit and unforgettable lyrics of his music to life for a new generation. Readers will delight in dancing to the beat and feeling the positive groove of change when one girl enlists her community to help transform her neighborhood for the better. Adapted by Cedella Marley, Bob Marley’s first child, and gorgeously illustrated by Vanessa Newton, this heartwarming picture book offers an upbeat testament to the amazing things that can happen when we all get together with one love in our hearts. -- Chronicle Books

ONE LOVE is based on the the very famous and beloved song One Love by Bob Marley. It was adapted by his daughter Cedella Marley and illustrated by Vanessa Brantley-Newton, and I think it's a beautiful book for kids of all ages. It's guaranteed to warm your heart and, if you're anything like me, you'll be singing and/or humming One Love for days after reading it.

Of course, you all are probably familiar with the song One Love and it's call for change, but the book ONE LOVE interprets Marley's lyrics in a new way which is ideal for children. In ONE LOVE, a young girl decides that she wants to fix up her neighborhood. She then brings together her friends and family, along with other members of the community, to help her with this positive change.

In addition to the meaningful story, I also adored the illustrations by Ms. Brantley-Newton. They are just adorable and so colorful! I think they are the perfect complement to Bob Marley's lyrics and his daughter's adaptation.

As a mother, I can't rave enough about this book. It not only brought to mind a terrific song with an important message, but it also allowed me to introduce Bob Marley to my children. I sincerely hope, with the help of this terrific book, that today's children will fully grasp the positive message in One Love.

I am so excited that Cedella Marley, Bob Marley's eldest daughter, agreed to write a very special guest post for Booking Mama. Not only do I adore her interpretation of her father's beloved song, but I also respect her for dedicating herself to keeping  her father's message and memory alive for future generations!

A Mother’s One Love

I don’t think I ever would have had the idea to adapt the lyrics to One Love into a children’s book if I wasn’t a mother. I’ve filled our home with books and music, and I’m so happy I’ve been able to bring them both together in One Love.

I’ve read to them all from the time they were born – often singing the lyrics (it’s the Marley way to incorporate music into everything.) I remember the pride of hearing them “read’ their books by heart before they could really understand the letters. 

I was recently invited to participate in the National Book Festival and knew immediately I wanted to bring my sons with me to the event. I wanted them to see their nation’s capital stage a huge event celebrating books and reading. In this age of video games and smart phones it was wonderful to show them thousands and thousands of people – all kind of people – reveling in beautiful, low-tech books.  

It’s so exciting to think of my One Love will have a treasured place in the libraries of families with young children. I can’t wait for the day when a teenager or young adult tells me that they loved reading One Love as a little kid – what an honor to play a role in a child’s life as a reader!



Thanks to the publisher for sending a copy of this book and to Ms. Marley for sharing her experiences with ONE LOVE.



Giveaway alert: I have a copy of ONE LOVE to giveaway along with a doll and buttons -- all courtesy of Chronicle Books. To enter, just fill out the form below before Friday, October 21st at 11:59 p.m. ET. I will randomly select and notify the winner the following day. This contest is open to those of you with U.S. and Canada addresses only. Good luck!



If you'd like to participate in Kid Konnection