This John Williamson Song Is Now A Children's Book

John Williamson’s 2022 song Voice Of The Ocean has become a children’s picture book, officially out today (RRP $19.99).

Voice Of The Ocean is an ARIA Award-winning single for Best Use of an Australian Recording in an Advertisement (over two minutes). The song was recorded for the Australian Marine Conservation Society (AMCS), and now, thanks to Penguin Random House, the track has become a book.

The True Blue singer launched the song at the Glenmore Road Public School, performing with the choir in November 2022. Since the track’s release, over 15,000 school children across Australia have performed the song.

The Voice Of The Sea book arrives with illustrations by Andrea Innocent and Jonathan Chong. It’s another journey into children’s books for Williamson, who has previously shared the bestselling Old Man Emu and Christmas In Australia.

Williamson said about today’s book release, “My affinity with the ocean is as strong as my connection to and love for the bush. When I sat down to write about our love for the oceans, I couldn’t help but think about all the problems we’ve caused our seas and their wildlife, even though we say we love them. 

“My lyrics reference global warming, overfishing and the risk of losing some of our incredible marine wildlife. It’s not too late, but we need more people to sing out and be the voices of our seas. That’s why I wanted to support the Australian Marine Conservation Society with this song because they provide Australians with a way to speak out for our seas through its important conservation work.”

The Chief Executive of AMCS, Chief Executive Darren Kindleysides, added, “John Williamson’s Voice Of The Sea has become a phenomenon, from song to ocean anthem, from video to children’s book, and we hope it inspires them to take a moment to appreciate how lucky we are to have this incredible big blue backyard and all the wondrous wildlife within it.”

Innocean Client Partner Carolyn Cho concluded: “The oceans are in a perilous state, and conservation fatigue is an ongoing challenge making it difficult to recruit new conservationists, yet kids are the catalyst for change and our beacons of hope as they inspire parents and the wider community to engage. The book launch builds on the foundations of our playful Voice Of The Sea educational platform and will continue to bring the message of ocean conservation to schools and homes across the country.”

You can order a copy of the Voice Of The Sea book here.

On Saturday, 4 May, John Williamson will join Lee Kernaghan, Kasey Chambers, Brooke McClymont & Adam Eckersley and more at the Lighthouse Country festival, held at Burnett Heads, QLD.

The one-day, family-friendly festival supports the Sea Turtle Alliance, Great Barrier Reef Legacy and RACQ LifeFlight.