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Children's Fiction Caribbean & Latin American

Little John Crow

by (author) Ziggy Marley & Orly Marley

Publisher
Akashic Books
Initial publish date
Nov 2021
Category
Caribbean & Latin American
  • Hardback

    ISBN
    9781617759802
    Publish Date
    Nov 2021
    List Price
    $28.95

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Where to buy it

Recommended Age, Grade, and Reading Levels

  • Age: 3 to 8
  • Grade: p to 3

Description

After being abandoned by his animal friends, Little John Crow must come to terms with what it means to be part of a community when you are a vulture.

"Little John Crow is full of energy and color."
People Magazine

"A new children’s book by [Ziggy Marley] and his wife, Orly, aims to educate youth on the threats the birds face and the vital ecological role they play."
Audubon Magazine

Little John Crow is a young vulture growing up in Bull Bay on the edge of the Blue Mountains in Jamaica, where he lives with his loving parents Sharil and Rusil Crow. He spends his days playing with his friends, a motley group that includes a snake, George; Missy, the French pigeon; Chiqueen, a chicken hawk; Hummy, the hummingbird; and the Three Little Birds.

One morning while the group of friends is relaxing by a cool river, they start chatting about life, their parents' jobs, and what they want to be when they grow up. As the conversation continues, Little John Crow realizes he has no idea what his parents do for work.

Little John Crow and his friends set out to solve this mystery, but what they discover shocks them—Little John Crow and his vulture parents are scary scavengers! Most of his friends are disgusted when they learn this, and before Little John Crow can even adjust to this news, a terrible tragedy strikes. Feeling lonely and isolated from his friends, the young vulture flees Bull Bay.

After traveling for days, a tired and hungry Little John Crow is fortunate to be found by a group of vultures. With their support and encouragement, the young vulture learns to embrace his future, and after months away, he returns to Bull Bay just in the nick of time to save his home from ruin.

Filled with humor and memorable characters, Little John Crow reminds us of the importance of accepting our differences and remembering that life offers a place and purpose for all of us.

About the authors

Contributor Notes

Ziggy Marley is an eight-time GRAMMY Award winner, Emmy Award winner, author, philanthropist, and reggae icon. He has released thirteen albums to much critical acclaim, plus three previous children's books: I Love You Too, My Dog Romeo, and Music Is in Everything; as well the Ziggy Marley and Family Cookbook. His early immersion in music came at age ten when he sat in on recording sessions with his father, Bob Marley. Ziggy Marley and the Melody Makers released eight best-selling albums that garnered three GRAMMYs. Ziggy's second solo release, Love Is My Religion, won a GRAMMY in 2006 for Best Reggae Album. His third solo studio album, Family Time, scored a fifth GRAMMY award for Best Children's Album. 2016 marked the release of Marley's self-titled album, which garnered his eighth GRAMMY. Marley's new children's album, More Family Time, was released in September 2020 via Tuff Gong Worldwide.

Orly Marley is an Israeli-born entrepreneur and music manager. Starting her professional career as an assistant at the William Morris Agency, she quickly ascended to director of talent sponsorships, closing a number of worldwide endorsement and sponsorship deals for Enrique Iglesias, Black Eyed Peas, Salma Hayek, Ray Charles, Queen Latifah, Willie Nelson, Aretha Franklin, and many others. In 2004 and 2006, alongside the Marley family, Orly conceptualized and produced the Bob Marley Roots Rock Reggae Tour across the US. After thirteen years at William Morris, she took over the management of her husband Ziggy Marley as well as his record label, Tuff Gong Worldwide, and established his own publishing company, Ishti Music—where she would regain all of Marley's musical compositions. Orly has also worked with Walt Disney Records to produce The Disney Reggae Club album and was instrumental in the promotional campaign for the critically praised Bob Marley documentary film Marley. Together with her husband, Orly heads Unlimited Resources Giving Enlightenment (U.R.G.E.), a nonprofit organization that seeks to make enduring contributions to the lives of children in Jamaica, Africa, and throughout the world. In addition to her professional and philanthropic activities, Orly has recently completed her second term on the Board of Governors for the LA chapter of the Recording Academy; she remains active with them on many creative endeavors.

Editorial Reviews

"The new book by reggae legend Ziggy Marley and his wife Orly is a heartwarming tale of a young vulture in Jamaica’s Blue Mountains learning to embrace his future."
Caribbean Journal

"In what is a colorful, oh-so joyful children’s book chock full of humor, teachable moments and memorable characters, Little John Crow ultimately reminds us of the importance of accepting our differences (both physical and cultural) and remembering that life offers a place and purpose for all of us."
Exclusive Magazine

Praise for I Love You Too, a children's book by Ziggy Marley:

"A sweetly affectionate ode to togetherness and love."
Publishers Weekly

"Sure to be a hit at bedtime, the lyrical story conveys the sweet, soothing, and affirming message."
School Library Journal

"Lyrics inspired by an exchange with Marley's 3-year-old daughter are set to bright paintings of a multicultural cast of children and adults enjoying each other's company indoors and out . . . The art will draw and hold young children's attention."
Kirkus Reviews

"The emphasis of this book is that love has no boundaries."
—New York Journal of Books

"This looks to be on our home charts for weeks, months, maybe even years."
Austin Chronicle

"An inspiring storybook edition of the lyrics of famous reggae performer Ziggy Marley . . . song lyrics are surrounded and set in warm, vivid illustrations of children of many hues, laughing and playing with loving parents and grandparents in a healthy, light, balanced natural world."
Midwest Book Review

"Orly Marley, 42, adores the tale husband Ziggy wrote for daughter Judah, 9."
Us Weekly, "Objects of Affection" mention

"The illustrations are simply stunning . . . But even more than the gorgeous illustrations is the wonderful message that this book conveys—that families and friends will always love each other."
The Mama Games