Piano Wants to Play - by Colleen Kong-Savage (Hardcover)

About the Book

"Piano and Amy share a special bond. Piano loves to play music with Amy. And Amy loves Piano, too. 'Play me, Amy! Play me!' Piano calls. And they do. Every day they play and practice, testing notes and strengthening fingers. From notes to scales to warm, rippling melodies, together they make a joyful noise. Making beautiful music takes time, and as Amy grows she has less time to play with Piano, until one day, she disappears entirely, leaving Piano abandoned and lonely. Longing to sing but growing less hopeful for Amy's return, Piano fears the worst when moved to a strange new home. But this new home, Piano finds, is a school, and Amy is now a music teacher. Following a surprise reunion that is sure to delight young readers, they share the joy of music with the next generation."--

Book Synopsis

Piano and Amy share a special bond. Piano loves to play music with Amy. And Amy loves Piano, too.

"Play me, Amy! Play me!" Piano calls. And they do. Every day they play and practice, testing notes and strengthening fingers. From notes to scales to warm, rippling melodies, together they make a joyful noise.

Making beautiful music takes time, and as Amy grows she has less time to play with Piano, until one day, she disappears entirely, leaving Piano abandoned and lonely. Longing to sing but growing less hopeful for Amy's return, Piano fears the worst when moved to a strange new home. But this new home, Piano finds, is a school, and Amy is now a music teacher. Following a surprise reunion that is sure to delight young readers, they share the joy of music with the next generation.

With its portrayal of the lasting connection between instrument and musician, this heartfelt story will bring joy to the huge audience of young piano players and all who have known the uplifting power of music, highlighting the ways music brings us together and composes bonds that, like timeless melodies, endure and evolve.

Review Quotes

"The evocative text and stirring story will win over readers while the mixed-media collages dazzle throughout [...] A tender invitation to rediscover old friendships and create new melodies."
--Kirkus Reviews

"Vibrant, meticulously constructed mixed-media collage illustrations manifest a piano's 'joyful noise' as it collaborates with a determined child musician [...] Sincere text utilizes alliteration and understated humor [...] making Piano a POV character."
--Publishers Weekly

About the Author

Colleen Kong-Savage hopscotched from country to country before settling in New York City, where she earned an MFA in fiction-writing and a black belt in taekwondo. She has a passion for dance, a phobia of driving, and superior skills in gingerbread cookie art. Her illustration debut, The Turtle Ship (Lee & Low Books) by Helena Ku Rhee, garnered a Freeman honor. She is a freelance illustrator/graphic designer, as well as a teaching artist, creating murals with kids of all ages.