Based on his song Jolly Mon, Jimmy Buffett and his daughter Savannah Jane Buffett weave a wonderful island tale. The book that we have is the hardcover version and it included a CD of Jimmy Buffett and Savannah Jane Buffett reading the story. The CD is wonderful as Jimmy reads with such passion and the readings by Savannah Jane are endearing. There is also a wonderful accompaniment of Caribbean music in the background. I wish it had come with the actual Jolly Mon song on it as well.

The story is a nice one with a varied amount of words. The illustrations by Lambert Davis are incredible. I loved the colors used and the characters as well. Both Allison and I love reading this story to Eva. She is now getting old enough to be interested in the beautiful pictures and she holds still for the story as well.

The story is about The Jolly Mon, a wonderful singer, who find a magic guitar that allows him to play without ever having known how to play before. Then Jolly Mon leaves his small island and travels all over the Caribbean sea. He is ambushed by pirates and saved by a magical dolphin.

The overall message is one of conviction and selflessly giving of your talents to help others and bring them joy. Because of Jolly Mon’s selflessness he is rewarded time and again.

At the end of the CD there is a story by Jimmy Buffett about how the book came about. The book comes from legends, Jimmy’s sailing and the life that he has lived.