Music is in everything by Zuggy Marley. Illus. by Ag Jatkowska

Music is in everything will bring joy to young children, first experiencing Ziggy Marley’s lovely words in book form and then listening and singing along to the popular song that it is based on.

It will be a delightful experience for children to hear all the ways that music can be found – in the ocean, as the wind blows, in pots and pans and in a concert in the kitchen. Then they can make a rice shaker (instructions included on the back cover) and listen to raindrops falling on the ground. Laughing is a sound that spreads joy all around and a river is something to quietly listen to as it flows past. Birds and bees make music and families can have a concert with pots and pans and rice shakers.

The very cute, colourful illustrations by Ag Jatkowska bring the characters to life and the joy on the faces of everyone as they make music will leave readers feeling good and wanting to stop and listen to the music that surrounds them. The illustrations are ones that are memorable and portray how easy it is to make music from things that children can find easily in the home.

The catchy tune, too, is sure to remain in the minds of children who may find themselves humming along as they listen for sounds. The love and joy that music brings to the family and is shared by members of the neighbourhood is also a very positive aspect of the book.

I can see children really enjoying the book being read aloud, making their own musical instruments and having fun singing along to the lyrics. The book also provides inspiration to stop and listen carefully to the sounds that make music around us. This is a lovely story that will bring happiness to the reader.

Themes: Music, Sounds, Musical instruments, Community, Happiness.

Pat Pledger