Grammy-nominated musician Valerie June’s Somebody to Love: The Story of Valerie June's Sweet Little Baby Banjolele, a hardcover children’s book, illustrated by Marce Avelar, is inspired by how June wrote the song "Somebody to Love" from her album ‘Pushin' Against a Stone.’

“Once upon a time, a sweet and tiny little instrument was given to a singer named Valerie June. It had a round-face and four strings. It was so small that she thought it was a toy."

‘Somebody to Love’ is available in both standard and special editions. A portion of the proceeds from the special edition will be donated to organizations promoting children's literacy.

Somebody to Love

Praise for Somebody to Love

  • “Valerie June’s children’s book “Somebody to Love” is a precious reminder of the importance of music in a child’s development. It equally showcases the value of music making in the home and amongst friends within their community. Children of all ages and backgrounds will enjoy seeing the beautiful images of her banjolele and have a chance to learn the song that continues to inspire Valerie’s audiences around the world.”

    -Dom Flemons “The American Songster”, Grammy-Award Winning Musician

  • “Even the smallest voice deserves to be heard. "Somebody to Love" encourages us to believe in ourselves and the remarkable power of our dreams.”

    -Amanda Lucidon, NYT Bestselling Author and Former Obama White House Photographer

  • “What an inspiring and generous book! Valerie’s unique lyrical spirit combined with Marcela Avelar’s beautiful illustrations perfectly capture the emotional wonders of childhood music-making and friendship. In a world that asks us all to fire up our imaginations, Somebody to Love gives us all a sense of life’s best possibilities. And what could be better than a banjolele in the middle of it all?”

    -Dan + Claudia Zanes, Grammy Award Winning Children's Book Writers and Musicians

  • “Colorful, musical, and dreamy.”

    –Book Bunnies Blog

  • “Valerie June is a beacon of creativity and positivity in music, and this book shimmers with that same fierce light. These beautiful words and pictures will inspire kids (and parents) to follow their muse and not give up!”

    –Anaïs Mitchell, Tony Award-winning playwright and singer-songwriter

  • "I have an amazing author with a wonderful children’s book for you to discover…Thank you, Valerie, for sharing about your awesome book! I wish you all the best as it continues to gain momentum. May it bless all who read it! And what a wonderful artist that you have paired with as well! You two make a great team."

    –Wanda Luthman, book blogger and author of The Lilac Princess

  • “An inspiring tale – with brightly colored, vivid images covering each page – about finding your voice and having the confidence to dream big.”

    –Rebellious Magazine

  • “An engaging read… The pictures are beautiful and there isn’t too much text per page, which makes the story flow. This book is great for readers who like to dream, who might be discouraged by the time it is taking to achieve their dreams, or who like fighting for an underdog.”

    –Compass Book Ratings

  • "Valerie June...personifies ‘the baby’ in a way that makes it easy to feel empathy, and makes the connection between encouraging others and the confidence that can bring to ourselves. Marcela Avelar brings the words to life in these extraordinarily delicate and colorful scenes, each page a frame worthy work of art. But where the magic really lies is that the story doesn’t end..it invites children to see live music; I can imagine the excitement I would feel as a child seeing ‘the baby’ on stage, knowing the character, and feeling like now I was part of the story too."

    –Holly Laessig, musician and singer from Lucius

  • "This book will draw your child into the pages with an engaging story that will have them singing along. The illustrations are vibrant and helps the story to come to life."

    –@diveintoagoodbook

  • “We love that this picture book has a mission statement and an inspiring story. The illustrations are amazing to view while reading.”

    –Source Booksellers

  • “SOMEBODY TO LOVE is stunning! It’s full of vibrant illustrations and a beautiful story of believing in yourself and following your dreams.. This book has some beautiful back matter as well: pictures and descriptions of some of the world’s greatest dreamers, proverbs to inspire young dreamers, and a beautiful mission statement about Valerie June’s inspiration to share this story. And if you’ve never listened to Valerie June sing, then add that to your list right after reading this book! Her voice is unique and haunting and I didn’t want to stop listening to it. Start with “Somebody to Love” (the song that the book is titled after) and go from there!”

    –@diversify.our.parenting

  • "This is a lovely story, as it teaches everyone young and old the meaning of courage. The images are also quite stunning!"

    –Woven From Words

  • “This inspirational tale takes young readers on a musical adventure they won't forget soon! Beautifully told, this book is a story of hope and passion… perfect for young musicians and those who grew discouraged but may yet find their musical home… A remarkable tale from page one. I could hear [June’s] rich voice reading the story as I read. The style used in the book fits perfectly... I could not help but fall in love with Marcela Avelar's incredible illustrations! With stunning attention to detail, the art brings this masterful story to life. Their beautiful partnership leaves readers with an unforgettable account and is great for all ages. Amazing colors and a wonderful Southern flair makes for a touching reading experience. This isn't one to be missed!”

    –Readers Favorite

  • “This is a wonderful, inspirational story.”

    –Sonia Outlaw-Clark, Center Director of West Tennessee Delta Heritage Center

  • "Memorable… Through her instrument, the book encourages children to dream and believe in oneself to make their wishes come true… the illustrations by Marcela Avelar add to making this book an absolute delight."

    –Port Of Harlem Magazine

  • "A beautiful and inspiring new story."

    –@picturebooksnob

  • The artwork is extremely well done and caught my attention immediately. The pictures are detailed and complement the story beautifully. As for the story, I loved learning about the banjolele and all of the added information that was provided at the back of the book… This topic is one well worth sharing with children. And this book can certainly open up some good discussions.”

    –Pick a Good Book Blog

  • “The light, emotional illustrations are a breath of fresh air.”

    –Let’s Talk Picture Books

  • “What a beautiful song and what a beautiful story behind the song… The illustrations are gorgeous.”

    –The Paul Miller Show

  • “This is a wonderful inspirational story.”

    –Sonia Outlaw-Clark, Center Director of West Tennessee Delta Heritage Center

  • “Valerie June’s voice resonates through the beautiful pages of this autobiographical picture book. The illustrations by Marcela Avelar are stunning.”

    –@froggyreadteach

  • "This is a lovely story, as it teaches everyone young and old the meaning of courage. The images are also quite stunning!"

    –Woven From Words

Listen up.

If you're tired and feel so lonely

You wake up at night thinking that only

If you had somebody

I'll be your somebody

Somebody to love….