In conversational, gently chiding e-mails to his friend Leroy back in Jamaica, Roy describes his new home and school in Canada. A unifying theme of Roy's missives is his admiration for Bob Marley. Roy's father is a big fan of the iconic singer, whose music reminds them of home. Though he's nervous about his first day of school, a special gift from his neighbor Bob Marley button lps in more ways than one. In his principal's office, he's pleased to notice a picture of Bob Marley playing soccer, and his classmates greet him by quoting a Bob Marley song! The good beginning is almost ruined by the temporary loss of the button, but new friends help Roy find it. Roy's family, the principal, and his teacher are all black, while the students are depicted with a variety of skin tones. No reason is given for the family's move, making the book applicable to many situations. Bright acrylic and mixed-media illustrations further establish the upbeat tone in this story about finding comforting touchstones in a new home.

Roy, who has emigrated from Jamaica, emails his friend Leroy about his first day of school in his new Canadian city. He's greeted with Bob Marley references everywhere: his Irish neighbor gives him a Marley button; his classmates greet him with "Welcome, Roy, one love"; and more. While a bit contrived, this mature picture book demonstrates a warm, positive perspective on immigration. Bold paintings show Canadian urban diversity.

In this loving tale of family migration and making home anew, young Roy's embrace of Bob Marley gives him comfort on his first day of school after the family moves to Canada. Roy's family is beginning a new life in an unnamed Canadian town (probably Toronto), where, most briskly, Roy recognizes the supreme contradiction a Jamaican new to Canada experiences. "Leroy, the sun was shining bright, bright outside, but when I put my head out the window, my ears felt a little cold," he explains in an email to his friend back home. After two unanswered emails, Roy is writing his third missive to his buddy, the titular Leroy. Roy and his father share a deep love of "one of the world's greatest and most caring musicians," Bob Marley, and his Irish-immigrant neighbor, Ms. Muir, offers him a signature button of Marley's to wear on his first day of school. When Roy's classmates welcome him with his favorite tune "One Love," he looks down to realize that his button is missing. Will he find his button? Will Leroy ever respond to his email? These are the turnkey questions of this lighthearted tale. Sadu and Delinois neatly honor the cultural contributions made by the longtime community of Jamaicans that have settled in Canada, bridging the two worlds to make home anew. A much-needed window and mirror of immigrant experience for young readers. (Picture book 4-7)