Review: Somebody to Love

By Hannah Murray. November 19, 2022.

This was a first for us. We’ve never been sent a children’s book to review, but after reading about the premise, how could we not? And when it arrived in the mail, it was every bit as special as we could have hoped.

Somebody to Love: The Story of Valerie June’s Sweet Little Baby Bajolele was written by Grammy-nominated musician Valerie June and brilliantly illustrated by Marcela Avelar. It was inspired by how June wrote the song “Somebody to Love” from her album Pushin’ Against a Stone (which, after reading this book, I listened to - so good! Highly Recommend!).

The story is simple yet timeless about finding your voice in a world that doesn’t welcome it and having the confidence to be heard anyways and the beautiful things that might happen as a result.

Along with a story that is both mature and easily relatable for humans of all ages, and stunning art that I want to rip out, frame, and hang on the walls, there are proverbs to “inspire young dreamers” from all over the world. There is also a QR code to hear the song AND sheet music if you want to play or sing along.

If you’re looking for a thoughtful gift for a young musician or a thoughtful gift for a young person FROM a musician, this would be a beautiful choice.

Somebody to Love was published on November 1st, 2022, by Third Man Books. It is now available from all major book retailers.

You can find out more about Valerie June here and Marcela Avelar here