Description
From James Howe and Jack Wong comes a moving, gorgeously illustrated picture-book biography of one of the greatest cellists of all time, Yo-Yo Ma, and his lifelong passion for using music to unite people in harmony and joy.
“I’ve been asking myself all my life, ‘What is the purpose of music?’” — Yo-Yo Ma
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 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, he taught a new generation of young cellists to play with their whole hearts, bodies, and souls—how to find the music inside themselves.
James Howe and Jack Wong tell the story of legendary cellist Yo-Yo Ma, who was special not only because of his unmatched talent but also his curious mind and compassionate heart.
Powerfully told and stunningly illustrated, this biography will inspire readers to discover the gifts inside us all.
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.
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