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madhamster's review
5.0
A powerful story of music bringing things together, and a musician determined to facilitate meetings across borders, nations, cultures, and time.
nairam1173's review
emotional
hopeful
informative
Not really a straight biography, but a lovely portrait.
poorashleu's review
2.0
This one fell flat for me, there was no real storyline follow through how I wish there would have been.
sunflowerjess's review
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
slow-paced
5.0
I've always loved and been inspired by Yo-Yo Ma, and am so happy this picture book exists to share his vision and activism with readers. As my favorite TV show (Sense8) says, "Love is a bridge, not a wall."
maxcfb's review against another edition
5.0
One of the wonderful things about reading picture books like this one is that you learn truly incredible things you would not have otherwise known about, and you are reminded that the world isn’t completely awful, and there will always be people working to make a difference.
I will have to become more familiar with Yo-Yo Ma's music than I currently am, now that I have read this incredible story. But this book is about more than his music, or even his entire life story (although it touches on that too)—it is about one single performance of his at the U.S.-Mexico border, in which people standing on both sides of the Rio Grande were united as they listened to the same incredible music by the same incredible cellist.
There are so many powerful stories about prejudice that make us aware of its awful impacts on the world, but this book is careful not to give the haters a voice—this is a story of love, unity, joy, and music, and that comes through on every page.
Joanna Ho, author of the explosively popular Eyes That Kiss in the Corners, writes in stunning, gorgeous verse. Just listen to the opening:
"On the banks of the Rio Grande,
feet planted on the soil of one nation,
eyes gazing at the shores of another,
Yo-Yo Ma played a solo
accompanied by an orchestra of wind and water."
And she weaves so many topics into her verse with an astonishingly gentle, non-pedantic touch: Yo-Yo Ma’s accomplishments, the way the entire world is contained within the multinational parts of his cello, and even the history of the almost-forgotten music by Bach that he performed.
And to seal the deal, Teresa Martinez’s illustrations are light and luminous, with musical notes flowing across the numerous, varied spreads.
What’s my verdict? A portrait of an inspirational human being and humanity’s ability to truly come together, captured in verse and illustrations working in tandem—don’t miss this one!
– Click here to see the full review on my blog!
I will have to become more familiar with Yo-Yo Ma's music than I currently am, now that I have read this incredible story. But this book is about more than his music, or even his entire life story (although it touches on that too)—it is about one single performance of his at the U.S.-Mexico border, in which people standing on both sides of the Rio Grande were united as they listened to the same incredible music by the same incredible cellist.
There are so many powerful stories about prejudice that make us aware of its awful impacts on the world, but this book is careful not to give the haters a voice—this is a story of love, unity, joy, and music, and that comes through on every page.
Joanna Ho, author of the explosively popular Eyes That Kiss in the Corners, writes in stunning, gorgeous verse. Just listen to the opening:
"On the banks of the Rio Grande,
feet planted on the soil of one nation,
eyes gazing at the shores of another,
Yo-Yo Ma played a solo
accompanied by an orchestra of wind and water."
And she weaves so many topics into her verse with an astonishingly gentle, non-pedantic touch: Yo-Yo Ma’s accomplishments, the way the entire world is contained within the multinational parts of his cello, and even the history of the almost-forgotten music by Bach that he performed.
And to seal the deal, Teresa Martinez’s illustrations are light and luminous, with musical notes flowing across the numerous, varied spreads.
What’s my verdict? A portrait of an inspirational human being and humanity’s ability to truly come together, captured in verse and illustrations working in tandem—don’t miss this one!
– Click here to see the full review on my blog!
cowboylucy's review
5.0
I love Yo Yo Ma, so naturally this book was a big hit! I appreciated the attention to detail when depicting musical notation and the cello!
heisereads's review
5.0
Phenomenal. Borders, bridges, music, humanity. Gorgeously illustrated with a fantastic sense of movement. Filled with historical & biographical information I didn't know. With fantastic backmatter to extend understandings. As someone who cares about people and humanity, this spoke to my heart, and as a former cello player myself with an appreciation for lyrical writing and beautiful imagery, this spoke to my soul.