Marley and the Family Band by Cedella Marley, Tracey Baptiste, Tiffany Rose, D
Published by Random House Books for Young Readers on February 1, 2022
ISBN: 0593301110
Pages: 40
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads

Marley, recently transplanted from Jamaica to Delaware, is hoping to make music and friends at the same time through a concert in the park. The concert is in jeopardy, however, because of a threatening storm. Never fear — Marley is resilient, resourceful, and about to learn that helping strangers turns them into friends. As the rainstorm creates problems for her neighbors (cats on rooftops! Basements in need of bailing!), Marley and her siblings lend assistance.

It is a simple story with brief but descriptive text, lots of musical references (a cat named “Coda”), and lyrical text (“a drenched, dripping duet”). The brightly colored, dynamic illustrations, created with digital crayons and watercolor brushes, incorporate musical notes on almost every page. Readers are shown a diverse cast of characters, with Marley’s father and a younger brother in dreads; Mom wears a head wrap. The predictable patterns and satisfying conclusion make this a great choice for a musical story time.

Reviewed by Deanna Contrino, Young School Library