Playing from the Heart

Gr 3 Up—Young Raj toddles by his father past an unused piano in the living room, though as the years pass, he makes it to the bench, delightfully plucking individual keys until he grows tall enough to reach the sustain pedal. In a beautiful reflection on the illustrations as well as a nod to Reynolds's own personal story, "Raj notice[s] that he [can] mix the notes the way he mixe[s] his watercolors." Colorful notes on a flowing streak of yellow portray a nameless song that Raj produces, inspiring Dad to nurture that talent with piano lessons. Not all enthusiasts turn into prodigies, however, and formal training doesn't always fuel interest. Tiring of the precision and practice, Raj quits the piano and doesn't return until years later to be with his sick father, who makes a request for a song. When Raj is no longer constrained by notations or expectations, the nameless melody comes back, emphasizing the emotional connections music can make, not only within but with others.