IS THIS LOVE?

An older child shares in the joy of growing up alongside a younger sibling.

Cedella Marley utilizes the repeated refrain of Bob Marley’s song “Is This Love” to tell a story of sibling love. Readers first meet the sibling pair when the younger is a baby. As pages turn, we see the children grow. The older sibling plays the role of teacher, loyal and supportive, sharing activities such as building a blanket fort, riding bikes, and playing with blocks. The rhyming text expands on Marley’s lyrics and includes the famous lines “Is this love? Is this love that I’m feeling?” along with a few others from the song. The bold illustrations feature bright blues and deep purples with plenty of tropical touches. The family is drawn with deep brown skin and dark brown hair. A particularly stunning pair of layouts shows the siblings on the beach as the sun gives way to a sparkling night. The bright pinks fade into purple, dark blues, and black. Constellations of the children’s faces light up the starry sky. This palette is echoed on the final page, as the family builds a sandcastle beside their home in the day’s fading light. The themes of siblinghood—that treasured unique relationship—are familiar and comforting. Though it pays homage to Marley’s beloved music, the book welcomes all readers, not just his fans.

A lovely read for welcoming a new baby and celebrating family bonds.