Music Is in Everything; Ziggy Marley, illustrated by Ag Jatkowska

Get ready to bop with award-winning artist Ziggy Marley, the son of the legendary Bob Marley, in this uplifting ode to music in all its forms.

Do you find the music in the everyday? Have you listened to the tune that the river plays or the song of the ocean? Do you hear the morning call of the birds or tune into the sounds of the night? Could you make your own music using everyday objects? Close your eyes, listen carefully and you’ll begin to hear that music really is in everything…

Find your groove with Ziggy Marley as nature, animals, children and adults come together for a joyous celebration of music and sound in this colourful extravaganza that takes readers from the depths of the ocean to flowing rivers, the trees to the bee hive, the garden to the kitchen.

Based on the exuberant song of the same name, Ziggy Marley hits all the right notes as he explores just some of the many sources of sound that fill our ears. From ocean waves and aquatic creatures to the falling of raindrops, the banging of pots and pans to the unbridled joy that laughter can bring, buzzing bees to chirruping birds, rustling leaves to falling raindrops. You don’t need an instrument to create a beautiful tune, just open your ears.

There is a wonderful playful quality to Ag Jatkowska’s vibrant artwork; whales sing, fish play on brass and string instruments, bees clash together cymbals and bang on bongos. Equally charming are the notes that leap out of the river and trees, and the family that come together for their in-home concert with their guitars, assortment of kitchen utensils and equipment and home-made rice shakers. This musical feast is full of family, love and those moments of happiness and contentment that music can provide.

With glorious endpapers, especially the latter one that features instructions for making your own shaker, children and adults will be singing songs, whistling tunes, making their own medleys and shaking till their hearts are content. This feel-good and uplifting picture book is music to my ears. A delight!

Recommended for 2+.

With huge thanks to NewSouth, Akashic Books and Tuff Gong Worldwide for the copy I received in exchange for an honest review.