Welcome to another edition of Singable Book of the Month! This month I am sharing a recent favorite – Every Little Thing adapted by Cedella Marley. I began using this book in classrooms back in October and have loved every moment since.
Fun fact: I used this song frequently during my internship with adults in a variety of settings (hospitals, hospice, rehabilitation to name a few). So I was thrilled to find I could use it again with children who have Autism and special needs.
Every Little Thing (Is Gonna Be Alright)
Bob Marley’s daughter Cedella Marley adapted his beautiful song into an inspiring children’s book. This is how the official description reads:
Bob Marley’s songs are known the world over for their powerful message of love, peace, and harmony. Now a whole new generation can discover one of his most joyous songs in this reassuring picture book adaptation written by his daughter Cedella and exuberantly illustrated by Vanessa Brantley-Newton. This upbeat story reminds children that the sun will always come out after the rain and mistakes are easily forgiven with a hug. Every family will relate to this universal story of one boy who won’t let anything get him down, as long as he has the help of three very special little birds. Including all the lyrics of the original song plus new verses, this cheerful book will bring a smile to faces of all ages—because every little thing’s gonna be all right!
Video: Every Little Thing
I added a little extra this time – lyrics on the screen. I hope you find that helpful. I would love to have your feedback. Enjoy!
Tips & Tricks
Talk about it. This is the perfect book to launch a discussion around the themes of feelings, safety, love, and making mistakes. You can adapt your discussions to be as simple or abstract as needed.
Answer WH questions. This goes hand in hand with our first tip, but you can specifically check for understanding by asking who, what, when, where questions from the text and from the pictures.
Repetition. I love music for this quality! If you need to engage a child by having him sing a short phrase or by using a voice output device, there are a ton of opportunities for the child to fill in “every little thing is gonna be alright.”
Perfect as a lullaby. Parents, this is especially for you. By reading this book with your child, you have a perfect opportunity to express your unconditional love. It’s an easy add to any bedtime routine! When I sang this book with one of my clients for the first time, he looked up at me and proudly said, “My mommy sings this song to me at night!”
There you have it. February’s singable book – Every Little Thing. I would love to hear if you have used this book before or if you have it as a part of your stash. I can’t believe I only discovered it his past year!
Sing on,
Mary
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