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Set off on a vibrant journey through the island of Jamaica with two best friends on a mission to explore the rich sounds that define the heart of the island. From the rhythms of reggae to the pulse of dancehall, Benjamin and Blaze are building the ultimate “Music of Jamaica” playlist–one song at a time. Along the way, they’ll meet culture bearers and learn the stories behind the music that moves the world.
Perfect for young readers, music lovers, and classrooms alike, Benjamin a Yaad celebrates diversity, curiosity, and the joy of cultural discovery through sound.
Liz –
The book was very informative in a fun and creative way! I loved the art style and I can tell they worked real hard to make sure that it was well received by children and adults.
Debera Thompson –
Another incredibly written book by Javel! I loved how he incorporated Jamaican slang along the way. And I really appreciated the glossary at the back :) this will definitely help jumpstart some new lessons in my classroom on music from Jamaica with the playlist we created along the way!
Kat –
This is a wonderful book that highlights the culture and music of Jamaica in a fun and engaging way! While there are familiar artists and genres we love highlighted, I especially loved learning about Miss Lou and her contributions and how looking back and the work of elders helps of build the culture. The addition of authentic Jamaican patois phrases throughout the book provides an excellent opportunity to immerse yourself and students into the culture and music. All of this delivered through some very fun bananas makes it a super enjoyable read.
Natasha A. Henry-Rodriguez –
Benjamin A Yaad is a joyful and colorful introduction to the vibrant sounds and rhythms of Jamaica. Through playful storytelling and lively illustrations, the book explores musical styles like reggae, ska, and dancehall, instrumentation, and the cultural roots that make Jamaican music so unique. Young readers will learn about how music is used in celebrations, storytelling, and everyday life in Jamaica. The author does a great job making the information fun and easy to understand, while also encouraging kids to explore music and movement. It even includes language elements of Jamaican culture with translations! This book is a fantastic way to teach children about Jamaica’s rich musical heritage in an engaging and age-appropriate way. As a child of Caribbean immigrants, I would have loved to have this representation of culture shared in the classroom, and it is a beautiful tribute to being Caribbean American.
Emily Lopez –
Javel has done it again!!! Benjamin A Yaad is a beautifully written book for the Elementary Music Classroom! This book highlights the Jamaican culture and music in an engaging way for students of all ages. It is a great resource that makes learning about the music and culture of Jamaica accessible for the elementary music teacher. It is definitely something to add to your classroom library.
Jeaneau Julian –
This is such a wonderful book!! It shares the different styles of Jamaican music as well as local vernacular with a translation at the end. I highly recommend this text!
Cassie O –
This is such a wonderfully fun and informative book for young musicians to learn about other musical styles and cultures. This is a must-have book for any general music teacher looking to build well-rounded young musicians!
Ashton –
Great interactive book with great art. Very good for children. Highly recommended
Melissa Stouffer –
I really appreciate when there are books that highlight lesser covered cultures for the music classroom. There is so much in Jamaica’s rich musical heritage that is covered and in engaging, kid-friendly ways. This is a must have for any music teacher to add to their music classroom!