THE MUSIC INSIDE US: YO-YO MA AND HIS GIFTS TO THE WORLD (A Picture Book Biography), by James Howe and Jack Wong, Harry N. Abrams, June 3, 2025, Hardcover, $19.99 (ages 4-8)
Learn about one of the greatest cellists of all time in The Music Inside Us: Yo-Yo Ma and His Gifts to the World, by James Howe and Jack Wong.
At a young age, Yo-Yo Ma discovered a remarkable gift for the cello, playing Bach from memory by age four. His technique was far beyond his years, but even as he grew and became a world-class musician—studying at Juilliard, performing at Carnegie Hall at a young age, even playing on television before the president of the United States—he wanted to use his gift for something deeper, something bigger.
As he asked question after question, trying to understand his place in the world, he discovered something that every culture has in common: music.
Ma decided that he would spend his life not only performing for others, but learning from other cultures’ musical traditions and finding ways to unite people. Even as he dedicated himself to humanitarian work around the world, Ma also dedicated himself to teaching a new generation of young cellists to play with their whole hearts, bodies, and souls, like he does—how to find the music inside themselves.
From James Howe, bestselling author of Bunnicula, and Jack Wong, award-winning author/illustrator of When You Can Swim, comes the story of legendary cellist Yo-Yo Ma, who is special not only because of his unmatched talent but also his curious mind and compassionate heart.
Back matter includes an author’s and an illustrator’s note, a timeline of Ma’s life, and resources to learn more about his life and work. —Synopsis provided by Harry N. Abrams
The Music Inside Us: Yo-Yo Ma and His Gifts to the World is a beautiful biography of a musician and human being.
Yo-Yo Ma has spent his life asking, “What is the purpose of music?” In The Music Inside Us: Yo-Yo Ma and His Gifts to the World author James Howe and illustrator Jack Wong explore Ma’s curiosity and studious mind as he ultimately worked to bring people from all over the world together through music.
Howe’s text is warm and thoughtful. His conversational tone emulates Ma’s gentle and expressive voice. Wong’s acrylic, crayon, water color and digitally edited illustrations capture Ma’s inquisitive nature and genuine love for people and music.
The Music Inside Us: Yo-Yo Ma and His Gifts to the World is a beautiful nonfiction picture book with broad appeal.
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