Overview

A unique biography in verse of a reggae legend and his road to fame. Brimming with imagination and insight, I and I Bob Marley is a unique and imaginative tribute befitting this international musical legend. Soulful paintings, by award-winning artist Jesse Joshua Watson, transport readers to Marley's Jamaican homeland, while perceptive poems bring to life his fascinating journey from boy to star.

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9781620140307

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* It's surprising, given Bob Marley's international fame and accessible, peace-promoting music, that there are so few books about his life available for youth. Medina, whose children's books include Love toLangston (2002), helps fill the void with this glowing, substantive, picture-book biography in verse. Following the reggae legend from birth to death, the mostly chronological poems reveal a full portrait of the musician, moving from personal details to wider themes. In one poem, Marley's words about his father encompass slavery, his biracial heritage, and the African Diaspora: Papa is a white man so I've been told/ My face a map of Africa in Europe's hold. In another, he speaks about both his love for music and the social justice he hopes to inspire: We don't want to / Land in jail / All we want to do is wail / Be the voice of the voiceless / Bring some happiness and / Consciousness to the down-pressed. In the words and rhythms of Jamaican patois, Medina's lyrical, direct lines make the most sense when read in tandem with the extensive appended notes, which explain the many specific references to Jamaican history, Rastafarianism, and Marley's life events. Like the words, Watson's beautifully expressive acrylic paintings evoke a strong sense of Marley's remarkable life and his Caribbean homeland. A short bibliography of adult titles rounds out this rare, soulful tribute. -- Booklist, starred review Referencing Marley's songs again and again, the poems resonate with the artist's message throughout. Watson's arresting art sings of the highs and lows of Jamaica, both the abject poverty and the beauty of the island and its people. Copious back matter provides context for each of the songs/poems and helps neophytes understand the music and the man. Anyone interested in reggae music and its major voice will find this volume intriguing. -- School Library Journal This lyrical picture-book biography of the reggae icon tells his story in verse, from humble beginnings in a small Jamaican village to his glory days as an influential musician. Told in first person (the I and I can mean we), 17 poems chronologically plot Marley's life path--combined, the poems (and vibrant acrylics) paint a vivid picture of the poverty and turmoil but also the love, faith and island beauty from which Marley arose... Medina's (Love to Langston) thorough endnotes will answer questions, e.g. what the term Babylon means. Watson's majestic art powerfully evokes the people and places that had the strongest influence on Marley, as well as the power he himself would wield. -- Publishers Weekly The lyric-like pieces are thoughtful and adept; appended notes explain the biographical events on which the poems are based. Watson's acrylics capture Marley's public magnetism as well as private, introspective moments. -- The Horn Book Using verse as the engine of the story both challenges and entertains young readers while capturing the essence of Marley's art. The rhythm and imagery of Medina's poetry provides an indirect connection to Marley's music and lyrics. . . . Watson's illustrations portray Marley's life from a small child to a tired bare-footed philosopher reaching out to children in the twilight of his life. The most powerful section is 'Pitch-Black Sky, ' where poetry, illustration, and message harmonize perfectly. I and I is artistic and adept in both its verse and visuals, and perhaps most importantly, it can be used to reinforce positivity--the ultimate message of Bob Marley's life. -- MultiCultural Review Choices, Cooperative Children's Book Center (CCBC) 100 Titles for Reading and Sharing, New York Public Library Celebrate with Books, Cleveland Public Library

Author Information

Tony Medina is the author of six beloved books for young readers, as well as multiple volumes of poetry for adults. A Pushcart Prize-nominated poet and a professor of creative writing at Howard University, Dr. Medina is a two-time winner of the Paterson Prize for Books for Young People. He lives in the Washington, DC area. Jesse Joshua Watson is a fine artist and illustrator whose work has appeared in galleries, on CD covers, and more recently in children's books. An avid traveler, Watson's artwork reflects the cultures and people he connects with along the way. Watson lives with his wife and their sons in Port Townsend, Washington. Chess battles with family members are a favorite pastime. His website is jessewatson.com.

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