Title: I and I: Bob Marley
Author: Tony Medina
Illustrator: Jesse Joshua Watson
Publisher: Lee & Low Books
ISBN: 978-1-60060-257-3
Year: 2009

Concepts: equality, social justice, poverty, careers

Review: Bob Marley, renowned musician, poet, and advocate, made lasting and invaluable contributions to society. His songwriting and musical performances, with their messages of equality and hope, contributed to the rapid spread of reggae music around the world and earned him numerous high-profile awards. His political and ethical views, deeply intertwined in his music, strengthened his international appeal and also turned him into one of Jamaica’s leading advocates for social justice.

This outstanding collection of original poems and bold, expressive artwork pays tribute to Bob Marley and introduces younger readers to his early years and his subsequent growth into a successful musician and spiritual leader. Thoroughly ingrained in the text and illustrations are important economic themes related to extreme poverty, inequality between blacks and whites, and the various forces -- including talent, mentorship, and entrepreneurial zeal -- that can nurture professional development. It is this combination of informative content with dramatic story-telling media that makes I and I such a potent vehicle for teaching the next generation about an influential artist and social leader who spread his message of peace in a truly innovative way.

Review by: Rutgers University Project on Economics and Children