Get Up, Stand Up by Bob Marley

Get Up, Stand Up Reviews

• 
  Dee Dee G

  Beautiful message.
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  Miya (severe pain struggles, slower at the moment)

  Best ever! Such an important read for kids right now. Beautiful and colorful illustrations. Powerful message. Love it.
• 
  Barbara

  Rhyming text based on a song by reggae artist and social activist Bob Marley and illustrations, created in pencil and with digital aid, encourage young readers to stand up. As the back matter points out, standing up for oneself, standing up for others, and standing up for what's right are important practices, ones that the author's own parents taught her. The images and text concern small acts of bullying such as keeping a ball out of reach of others and acting snooty but also show the positive response to such actions. The youngsters end up rallying around doing the right thing, unfurl a poster, and dance, dance, dance. This picture book might provide a good place to begin a conversation about what matters and how to handle those who would put someone down or behave in a thoughtless manner. It is never easy to get up or stand up, but it's important to learn how to do so as well as when to do it.
• 
  RedPoppyReading

  Bob Marley fans unite! “Get Up, Stand Up” is a vibrant picture book to the lyrics of the famous Bob Marley song. Adapted by @cedellamarley and illustrated by @johnjaycabuay , this timeless message of standing up for each other, yourself and what you believe is brought to life in a new way. The illustrations follow children at school standing up to bullies and spreading joy and kindness.
  Recommended for ages 6-8. Pick this book up today!
  
  Thanks to @chroniclekidsbooks for sharing this book with #kidlitexchange and thanks to the @kidlitexchange network for the review copy of this book – all opinions are my own.
  
• 
  Julie

  Colorful illustrations with many active, vibrant children pictured throughout; scenes of bullying are countered with scenes of children standing up for one another and for justice, reminding the reader through actions big and small that "What you give in goodwill, shall be returned back to you." The story is based on the lyrics of Jamaican reggae artist Bob Marley, whose music advanced messages of peace, love, and unity, and adapted by his oldest child, daughter and musician Cedella Marley.
• 
  Lady Lazarus

  Cute adaptation of a classic song. Powerful message!
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  Kelly

  Based on the music of Bob Marlely. Nice book. Nice message.
• 
  Amy

  Using Bob Marley's lyrics, a book about learning to use your voice to stand up and take a stand.
• 
  Tonja Drecker

  The idea behind this book is touching, and the message one that should be repeated time and again.
  
  Bob Marley's daughter, Cedella Marley, wanted to keep the message behind his song Get Up, Stand Up alive, especially for children. This book takes the song and adapts it in a way children ages 4 to 8 are sure to understand and use in their own lives. The message is clear—don't just sit and watch injustice happen, but rather stand up for what is right. In this case, scenes from the school day and moments of various types of bullying are presented. The children in the book react by standing up and not staying quiet.
  
  The illustrations are bright and bold, and the characters display tons of energy and attitude. The bullying scenes are depicted in an easy to understand way, while the reaction for the others includes standing up together. The diversity of characters makes it clear that this wonderful message is for everyone. There's a sense of unity in every scene.
  
  The text reflects the song and is easy enough for this age group to understand. While it's not a read-aloud for every circumstance, it definitely works well in bringing across a point and can be used to open up a discussion on the topic. I personally would have liked to have a link where the kids could hear the song or, perhaps, some/all of the song written in the back with the tune so kids could sing along.
  
  I received a complimentary copy and enjoyed it enough to want to leave my honest thoughts.
• 
  Stacie

  From the oldest child of Bob Marley comes the third children’s book adapted from one of his songs. Cedella Marley hopes to continue the message her father spread with his songs, in the form of books for children. This board book offers a message of love and kindness toward others and to stand up against hateful words and actions.
  
  One young girl goes through her day being confronted with hateful words and actions, but she doesn’t let them get her down. She focuses on the kindness of friends and how each of them rallies around to stand up to those who are rude or bully or tease. She teaches kids to be true to themselves, plant their feet, and don’t give up the fight. Kids will be reminded that kindness wins and together they can help each other stand up for their rights.
  
  There is a lot of diversity on the pages, both in the kids being kind and those that are bullying. The vibrant colors remind me of Bob Marley’s signature clothing and colors. This book, based on the song “Get Up, Stand Up” reminds all of us that we can make a difference by being kind.
  
  Bob Marley, a Jamaican singer-songwriter, is one of the twentieth century’s most important and influential entertainment icons, and his lifestyle and music continue to inspire new generations as his legacy lives on through his music.
• 
  Bethany M. Edwards

  If I had to choose one piece of advice for students starting back to school, it would be: Love with all your might.
  My favorite lines from the book:
  “Some people need to be the pond’s biggest fish. They don’t speak the truth and only want their greedy wish.
  Don’t just sit tight, be a bright light.”
  The greatest star power I can instill is the anthem of this book: Get up, Stand up. Stand up for your rights.
  This Bob Marley song adapted for children is just as beautiful as ONE LOVE which I have shared previously. The themes of knowing your worth are paired with gorgeous and expressive illustrations that show kids how to practice being kind to themselves and others in simple everyday ways. Embedded in each page is a commitment to diversity in race, gender, religion, and class.
  This call to action book belongs on your home or classroom shelf.
  
  I received a copy of this book from the publisher. All opinions, as always are my own.
• 
  Stephanie Bange

  The third book taken from Bob Marley songs to be published as a children's picture book.
  
  The verse lyrics of Bob Marley's song "Get Up, Stand Up" have been totally revised to encourage children to stand up for yourself, to stand up for others, to stand up for what is right, and to be a good neighbor, be kind, and share compassion with others.
  
  Marley's daughter Cedella Marley has adapted the song to fit her message. The new text has the same rhythm and beats as the original and can be read/sung. John Jay Cabuay's illustrations were rendered in pencil and digitally. They are bright and colorful with lots of red, green, and yellow and show a diverse group of children, trying to get their reggae on!
  
  Recommended for PreSchool-grade 3.
  
  
• 
  Katie

  This book feels like pieces of a song illustrated. Each page is a different scene of one or more children standing up to other children, either in defense of themselves or others. The kids are all colors of skin type, hairstyles, different clothing, and they have different facial expressions, but they are all the same shape. In a book that seems to have been designed for diversity it seems a bit lacking that everyone has the same physical abilities, and shape. I think children would be engaged with the illustrations while an adult read the words, but I don't know that they would ask for this book a second time unless something really grabbed their attention the first time around.
• 
  Lauren- The Smile Lines

  Thanks to @chroniclebooks for a free review copy of this book for @kidlitexchange reviewers.
  .
  While reading Get Up, Stand Up, you will definitely be singing in your head! 🎶
  .
  This book is written by Bob Marley’s daughter @cedellamarley. She wanted to keep his beautiful message alive! The message is wonderful! Stand up for yourself. Be kind. Have courage. Treat people fairly. 💕
  .
  This brightly illustrated picture book releases on 9/10. It would be a great read aloud for the first few weeks of school.
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  M.L. Little

  @kidlitexchange #partner
  
  
  Based on the Bob Marley song. I didn’t *love* this book simply because it felt a little awkward when read out loud. If you don’t know the tune (as I don’t), it’s hard to read the words in a rhythm because the meter changes. However, you can’t deny even just the words are catchy, and the illustrations are diverse, bold, and colorful.
  
  Thank you @kidlitexchange for the review copy—all opinions are my own.
  
• 
  H

  I love the song to picture book theory. Use a fun song, or a silly song or a song about standing up for yourself and then give it a picture so it can help kids with navigating their world. The only problem is that somebody already wrote the words so the books not really doing a whole lot if the illustrations aren't great. I like the story the illustrations are telling I just am not a huge fan of the colors and medium.
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  Barbara

  There are a lot of great ideas to start child-led discussions in this book adapted from Bob Marley's song Get Up, Stand Up. The brightly hued illustrations and thought provoking text are both full ideas on how to show compassion, understanding and stand up for yourself and for what is good and kind. Take time to discuss what you see as well as what you read. For ages 5 -9.
• 
  jennyreadit

  The third picture book adaptation of one of Bob Marley's beloved songs that has a message for children: To counter injustice, lift others up with kindness and courage. Pair with Peter Reynolds Say SOMETHING. Love this song in book form-- the beautiful, colorful illustrations will aide children in visualizing and seeing the song.
• 
  Jimalion Itsabookishworld_

  Thank you to @tlcbooktours for a gifted copy of this book. 
  
  It is national Bullying Prevention Month and Get Up, Stand Up is the perfect book to introduce to your little ones. As we all know Bob Marley's music was an inspiration and embodiment of peace and love. And Get up, Stand Up uses one of his songs to relay a message we all need to hear.
• 
  Meredith

  I appreciated how the "adaptor" of the book, Cedella Marley, removed all God & Jesus references from the lyrics, and really made it accessible to young children. She kept the essential message of the song, but gave it to a more child-friendly context. Nice work!
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  Kaitlyn Rease

  This book, written by Bob Marley's daughter in reflection of his song "Get Up Stand Up" focuses on the word inequality and the injustice going on in Jamaica. It teaches children that sometimes things are unfair and we should fight for what is right.
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  Lauren Duffy

  I no longer keep track of all the picture books I read to my kiddo, just the ones that stick out to me because they were ones she really liked or caught her attention. She’s 6 and this book definitely resonated with her: I recommend it!
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  Stephanie

  This book is actually written by Cedella Marley, Bob Marley's oldest daughter who has taken some of his famous lyrics of empowerment, love, hope and redemption to create a series of inspirational books. I really like that idea and John Jay Cabuay illustrations are nice and bright.
• 
  Amanda Geske

  “Don’t just sit tight. Be a bright light.”
• 
  S

  Bob Marley inspired picture book with vibrant and diverse illustrations - an excellent addition to a storytime read, a library picturebook collection, or a classroom library.