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Playing at the Border: A Story of Yo-Yo Ma
Unabridged Audio: 14 minutes
A picture book biography about the musician Yo-Yo Ma, immigration, and using music to build bridges.
Before Yo-Yo Ma became one of the most renowned and celebrated cellists, he wanted to play the double bass. But it was too big for his four-year-old hands. Over time, Ma honed his amazing talent, and his music became a reflection of his own life between borders, cultures, disciplines, and generations.
Since then, he has recorded over a hundred albums, won nineteen Grammy Awards, performed for eight American presidents, and received the National Medal of the Arts and the Presidential Medal of Freedom, just to name a few accomplishments.
Staying true to himself, Yo-Yo Ma performed at the US-Mexico border at the Rio Grande on April 13, 2019, as part of his multi-continent “Bach Project” tour to prove a point—through music, we can build bridges rather than walls between different cultures.
A picture book biography about the musician Yo-Yo Ma, immigration, and using music to build bridges.
Before Yo-Yo Ma became one of the most renowned and celebrated cellists, he wanted to play the double bass. But it was too big for his four-year-old hands. Over time, Ma honed his amazing talent, and his music became a reflection of his own life between borders, cultures, disciplines, and generations.
Since then, he has recorded over a hundred albums, won nineteen Grammy Awards, performed for eight American presidents, and received the National Medal of the Arts and the Presidential Medal of Freedom, just to name a few accomplishments.
Staying true to himself, Yo-Yo Ma performed at the US-Mexico border at the Rio Grande on April 13, 2019, as part of his multi-continent “Bach Project” tour to prove a point—through music, we can build bridges rather than walls between different cultures.
Audiobook
Published September 28, 2021
About the author
Joanna Ho
13 books353 followersJoanna Ho Bradshaw is the author of Eyes that Kiss in the Corners (HarperCollins, Jan 2021), Playing at the Border: A Story of Yo-Yo Ma (HarperCollins, Fall 2021), and One Day (Winter 2023). She is a writer and educator with a passion for anti-bias, anti-racism and equity work. She holds a BA in psychology from the University of Pennsylvania, and a master’s from the Principal Leadership Institute at Berkeley. She has been an English teacher, a dean, the designer of an alternative-to-prison program, and a professional development mastermind. She is currently the vice principal of a high school in the Bay Area, where she survives on homemade chocolate chip cookies, outdoor adventures, and dance parties with her kids. Keep your eyes open for more books to come!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 71 reviews
November 1, 2021
This talented gentleman is one of my favorite musicians and performers.
I saw there was going to be a release of a short book for young children about Yo-Yo Ma, and pre-ordered it. You are never too young in learning about music and it's importance. This book for children is an extremely short illustrated version of what would be a biography for adults.
"Music builds bridges".
There is an audio to accompany the book. Very cool concept!
//
I saw there was going to be a release of a short book for young children about Yo-Yo Ma, and pre-ordered it. You are never too young in learning about music and it's importance. This book for children is an extremely short illustrated version of what would be a biography for adults.
"Music builds bridges".
There is an audio to accompany the book. Very cool concept!
//
November 7, 2021
I can see I have the unpopular opinion here but here I go anyway...
While I appreciate the message of the book, I feel like its execution was a mess. The book starts with Ma playing at the border, with no real explanation of why. It then goes back to him as a baby and then randomly drops in his accomplishments. It describes his cello and where all the parts from it came. It just didn't really flow.
The backmatter didn't explain enough for me. Most of it was just repeating the facts that were wedged into the text.
The illustrations were absolutely wonderful though! I just can't imagine reading this book to kids and it such awkward pacing.
While I appreciate the message of the book, I feel like its execution was a mess. The book starts with Ma playing at the border, with no real explanation of why. It then goes back to him as a baby and then randomly drops in his accomplishments. It describes his cello and where all the parts from it came. It just didn't really flow.
The backmatter didn't explain enough for me. Most of it was just repeating the facts that were wedged into the text.
The illustrations were absolutely wonderful though! I just can't imagine reading this book to kids and it such awkward pacing.
September 25, 2021
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.
February 16, 2022
This book is delightful. It is awesome for helping young people understand mirrors, windows, and sliding glass doors. It is wonderful for developing deeper understandings of empathy and our human connectedness. It is brilliant for exploring the power of music and art as activism.
November 4, 2021
Beautiful poetry and illustration but doesn't seem very accessible for children.
November 25, 2021
Great story that connects people through music and a beautiful story.
October 15, 2022
I love Yo-Yo Ma’s playing but this book was rough.
June 5, 2022
This book provides a vignette from Yo-Yo Ma's Bach Project, a two year endeavour to connect people through music. In this instance we see him playing at the Mexican/United States border in Texas. It is beautifully written and beautifully illustrated.
Extra material in the back matter tells us more about Yo-Yo Ma, the project, and his cello. If you are like me, you will want to go and listen to the music as soon as you are done reading.
Extra material in the back matter tells us more about Yo-Yo Ma, the project, and his cello. If you are like me, you will want to go and listen to the music as soon as you are done reading.
December 7, 2021
A lovely story about how music is the sound of the world, and how it can build a bridge, not a wall. Based on the journey of Yo-Yo Ma to promote peace in a divided time, this gorgeously illustrated book is for all who love music, history and current events. Afterwards give more information on the project, music/composer and even the cello itself.
January 29, 2022
A lovely and important book about one of my greatest heroes. Lots of biographical information at the end, including all about Petunia! You should read while listening along.
March 3, 2022
this would be a great read aloud!
Themes: music, Yo-Yo Ma
Themes: music, Yo-Yo Ma
November 10, 2021
2.5/3 stars
I really wanted to love this book as I love both Yo-Yo Ma and Joanna Ho. The illustrations are gorgeous—Joanna Ho really picks great artists to collaborate with!—and I love the way Ho connects Ma's globally sourced cello with the global nature of our human family. In fact, Ho's writing style is as strong and lyrical as ever, it's just that there isn't a clear narrative for readers to follow—which makes this especially challenging for a younger audience. In fact, this book could have been titled, Yo-Yo Ma and his Cello and that might have been more apt. Or even Yo-Yo Ma and the Bach Cello Suites. There are at least 3 stories weaving in and out and it's a little overwhelming.
If you are a parent or educator planning on reading this aloud, I recommend reading the back matter first. I also think that if students become acquainted with Yo-Yo Ma and his music first then that might help them enjoy the book; regardless, it will need a lot of context and discussion to support it. I think that if it's paired with the right books it could be effective.
Overall, I would probably not recommend it for younger than 3rd or 4th grade.
I really wanted to love this book as I love both Yo-Yo Ma and Joanna Ho. The illustrations are gorgeous—Joanna Ho really picks great artists to collaborate with!—and I love the way Ho connects Ma's globally sourced cello with the global nature of our human family. In fact, Ho's writing style is as strong and lyrical as ever, it's just that there isn't a clear narrative for readers to follow—which makes this especially challenging for a younger audience. In fact, this book could have been titled, Yo-Yo Ma and his Cello and that might have been more apt. Or even Yo-Yo Ma and the Bach Cello Suites. There are at least 3 stories weaving in and out and it's a little overwhelming.
If you are a parent or educator planning on reading this aloud, I recommend reading the back matter first. I also think that if students become acquainted with Yo-Yo Ma and his music first then that might help them enjoy the book; regardless, it will need a lot of context and discussion to support it. I think that if it's paired with the right books it could be effective.
Overall, I would probably not recommend it for younger than 3rd or 4th grade.
December 4, 2022
A Taiwanese immigrant writes about Yo Yo Ma, a Chinese man born in France, raised in America, playing German music on an Italian cello in Mexico. There's history about Yo Yos cello and Bach suites as well to add a history aspect to the message.
As a wannabe cellist expecting her first child, I of course gravitated toward a children's book about yo yo ma. Of course, the book isn't really about him; it's about understanding one's place in a world wide community in a No man is an island sense. Great stuff!
The criticisms on the writing style being jarring are valid; it certainly seems to jump around to build the message. But the message is kind of in that too.... people in various places and times seem unconnected, but build something greater. However, the target age group will have long outgrown this book before they notice. The theme and message are clear enough and important enough to make it a worthwhile read for young audiences.
As a wannabe cellist expecting her first child, I of course gravitated toward a children's book about yo yo ma. Of course, the book isn't really about him; it's about understanding one's place in a world wide community in a No man is an island sense. Great stuff!
The criticisms on the writing style being jarring are valid; it certainly seems to jump around to build the message. But the message is kind of in that too.... people in various places and times seem unconnected, but build something greater. However, the target age group will have long outgrown this book before they notice. The theme and message are clear enough and important enough to make it a worthwhile read for young audiences.
August 2, 2023
On April 13, 2019 Yo-Yo Ma played his cello while sitting next to the Rio Grand on the shore of the United States, while facing Mexico.
Yo-Yo Ma was a child prodigy who had wanted to play the double bass but he was too little at the age of 4-years-old so he began studying the cello.
Yo-Yo Ma was born in France to Chinese parents. He was raised in the United States. His cello was built in Italy. His bow was made from wood from a tree in Brazil, a horse's tail in Mongolia and ebony from a forest in West Africa. The colors of his cello come from Indonesia and India. The song Yo-Yo Ma played over the Rio Grand was originally composed in Germany and then lost and found again in a second-hand store in Spain.
Yo-Yo Ma believes in bridging cultures through music. In this beautiful story published in 2021 and written by Joanna Ho, you can feel how he loved to bring music to life. The illustrations by Teresa Martinez are beautiful and easy to imagine yourself in.
Yo-Yo Ma was a child prodigy who had wanted to play the double bass but he was too little at the age of 4-years-old so he began studying the cello.
Yo-Yo Ma was born in France to Chinese parents. He was raised in the United States. His cello was built in Italy. His bow was made from wood from a tree in Brazil, a horse's tail in Mongolia and ebony from a forest in West Africa. The colors of his cello come from Indonesia and India. The song Yo-Yo Ma played over the Rio Grand was originally composed in Germany and then lost and found again in a second-hand store in Spain.
Yo-Yo Ma believes in bridging cultures through music. In this beautiful story published in 2021 and written by Joanna Ho, you can feel how he loved to bring music to life. The illustrations by Teresa Martinez are beautiful and easy to imagine yourself in.
October 13, 2021
In April 2019, Yo-Yo Ma played a concert on the shores of the Rio Grande river, facing Mexico, hoping to build bridges rather than walls.
Beautiful illustrations and lyrical text, more about Yo-Yo Ma than when he played at the border. I really loved how Joanna Ho tied a worldwide culture together in this story of Yo-Yo Ma, through the music, his life, even his violin. However, you would need to read the additional material at the end to find out about the Bach Project and learn that it was more than just the one event, and makes a lasting statement about immigration. I wonder if it was done this way to make the story less political?
Cross posted to http://kissthebookjr.blogspot.com
Beautiful illustrations and lyrical text, more about Yo-Yo Ma than when he played at the border. I really loved how Joanna Ho tied a worldwide culture together in this story of Yo-Yo Ma, through the music, his life, even his violin. However, you would need to read the additional material at the end to find out about the Bach Project and learn that it was more than just the one event, and makes a lasting statement about immigration. I wonder if it was done this way to make the story less political?
Cross posted to http://kissthebookjr.blogspot.com
September 12, 2023
I was hoping for so much more from this book; people wrote rave reviews. However, the subject matter was all over the place. There was no proper explanation of why Ma played at the border; it was just woven in as almost a side note. Elements of his life were repeated in the end matter.
The problem was that everything was given the same import and nothing had more emphasis. As his playing at the border was the title and the topic, I thought this would be the focus. The author skipped around in Ma's life, which is spectacular and deserves better. Thankfully the illustrations were wonderful and engaging.
The problem was that everything was given the same import and nothing had more emphasis. As his playing at the border was the title and the topic, I thought this would be the focus. The author skipped around in Ma's life, which is spectacular and deserves better. Thankfully the illustrations were wonderful and engaging.
November 16, 2023
I am in awe of people who have musical talent, especially from a young age. At age 4 Yo Yo Ma was playing Bach on the cello—WOW! He makes connections through music. We need more messengers of peace in this way. He has even played for presidents of the United States. His performance at the border is inspiring.
Interesting facts: He was born in France to Chinese parents.
He translated classical sounds into hip-hop movements.
His cello is made from parts from all over the world, so interesting.
Bach’s solo cello suites were lost for 200 years.
Interesting facts: He was born in France to Chinese parents.
He translated classical sounds into hip-hop movements.
His cello is made from parts from all over the world, so interesting.
Bach’s solo cello suites were lost for 200 years.
March 15, 2022
As much as I wanted to love this book, I just didn't. The art is lovely, and the idea for showing how Yo-Yo Ma transcends cultures and borders by his actions and the details of his music and even his cello, all this was lost in a mess of confusing timelines, settings, and jumbled attempt at poetic text that was really hard to read aloud to my kid. Here's one line:
Though they, we, were, are one.
Sorry, no.
Though they, we, were, are one.
Sorry, no.
August 15, 2022
I learned some things about Yo-Yo Ma that I didn't know before and fell in love with his cello even more. The illustrations are really cool and have a nice flow to them that go really well with the text. At the end of the book there is are some answers to questions you may have been wondering, list of resources, and an author's note. Overall I liked it and learned a lot. Yo-Yo Ma seems like a really sweet guy.
December 13, 2021
This book cleverly weaves the border issues with history of Yo-Yo Ma, cellos and composition together while sharing the story of when Yo-Yo Ma played a concert at the border. The layers are well crafted. The illustrations are bright yet gentle.
May 26, 2022
This is is such a beautifully written, lyrical book about Yo-Yo Ma, a prodigious cello player and musician who advocated for building bridges and uniting people over music (and the arts, more generally.)
February 9, 2022
This one fell flat for me, there was no real storyline follow through how I wish there would have been.
June 3, 2022
A beautifully illustrated story of how music crosses many lines between races, countries, ages...
I was slightly confused as to when this story took place and why he was playing at the border...
I was slightly confused as to when this story took place and why he was playing at the border...
April 24, 2022
Yo-Yo Ma, the famous cellist born in 1955, was born in Paris to Chinese parents and raised in the United States. He was recognized as a child prodigy, and began performing at age four and a half. He graduated from the Juilliard School and Harvard University, and has performed as a soloist with orchestras around the world. He has recorded more than 90 albums and received 18 Grammy Awards.
He is notable for his diverse repertoire, in which he brings together melodies from different genres from around the world. The author notes that Ma is drawn to the intersections of cultures, "where traditions are kept alive and new ideas are born."
Ma believes, Ho writes, that good music is a great vehicle to connect cultures and humanity from all walks of life. This conviction is exemplified in this story of how, in 2019, Yo-Yo Ma played a solo on the banks of the Rio Grande, “accompanied by an orchestra of wind and water.”
As the author explains at the end of the book, this performance was part of Yo-Yo Ma’s two-year campaign to increase global connections through music:
“As part of the Bach Project, he performed Johann Sebastian Bach’s six suites for solo cello in 36 places around the world. Along with his concerts, Yo-Yo Ma collaborated with local community leaders at each site to plan a day of action to build a more connected future.”
She observed that in particular, “playing at the border was a powerful symbolic response to the anti-immigrant rhetoric and policies pushed by the president of the United States [Trump] and his supporters during this time.”
A more detailed explanation of Ma’s performance at the border and its significance is given in the back matter, which also includes additional information about Ma, his cello, and the Bach Project; a brief bibliography; and an author’s note.
The lyrical text celebrating the universal elements of Yo-Yo Ma’s music and even his cello (“made from parts that came from lands of many languages”) is enhanced by lovely watercolors with swirling notes done by Teresa Martinez.
Evaluation: Readers age 4 and over will no doubt find the story and pictures enchanting. As an accompaniment while reading, Youtube has many video recordings of Yo-Yo Ma.
He is notable for his diverse repertoire, in which he brings together melodies from different genres from around the world. The author notes that Ma is drawn to the intersections of cultures, "where traditions are kept alive and new ideas are born."
Ma believes, Ho writes, that good music is a great vehicle to connect cultures and humanity from all walks of life. This conviction is exemplified in this story of how, in 2019, Yo-Yo Ma played a solo on the banks of the Rio Grande, “accompanied by an orchestra of wind and water.”
As the author explains at the end of the book, this performance was part of Yo-Yo Ma’s two-year campaign to increase global connections through music:
“As part of the Bach Project, he performed Johann Sebastian Bach’s six suites for solo cello in 36 places around the world. Along with his concerts, Yo-Yo Ma collaborated with local community leaders at each site to plan a day of action to build a more connected future.”
She observed that in particular, “playing at the border was a powerful symbolic response to the anti-immigrant rhetoric and policies pushed by the president of the United States [Trump] and his supporters during this time.”
A more detailed explanation of Ma’s performance at the border and its significance is given in the back matter, which also includes additional information about Ma, his cello, and the Bach Project; a brief bibliography; and an author’s note.
The lyrical text celebrating the universal elements of Yo-Yo Ma’s music and even his cello (“made from parts that came from lands of many languages”) is enhanced by lovely watercolors with swirling notes done by Teresa Martinez.
Evaluation: Readers age 4 and over will no doubt find the story and pictures enchanting. As an accompaniment while reading, Youtube has many video recordings of Yo-Yo Ma.
May 14, 2022
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!
Read
November 14, 2021Joanna Ho's lyrical writing and Teresa Martinez's vibrant art weave together to tell an inspiring story of Yo-Yo Ma, who challenges conventions, expectations, and beliefs in order to build bridges to unite communities, people, and cultures.
Before Yo-Yo Ma became one of the most renowned and celebrated cellists, he wanted to play the double bass. But it was too big for his four-year-old hands. Over time, Ma honed his amazing talent, and his music became a reflection of his own life between borders, cultures, disciplines, and generations. Since then, he has recorded over a hundred albums, won nineteen Grammy Awards, performed for eight American presidents, and received the National Medal of the Arts and the Presidential Medal of Freedom, just to name a few accomplishments.
Staying true to himself, Yo-Yo Ma performed at the US-Mexico border at the Rio Grande on April 13, 2019, as part of his multi-continent "Bach Project" tour to prove a point--through music, we can build bridges rather than walls between different cultures.
‐-------
Pair with the following books:
The Dance of the Violin by Kathy Stinson, [Joshua Bell].
The Man With the Violin by Kathy Stinson, [Joshua Bell].
Itzhak: A Boy Who Loved the Violin by Tracy Newman
Ada's Violin: The Story of the Recycled Orchestra of Paraguay by Susan Hood
Before Yo-Yo Ma became one of the most renowned and celebrated cellists, he wanted to play the double bass. But it was too big for his four-year-old hands. Over time, Ma honed his amazing talent, and his music became a reflection of his own life between borders, cultures, disciplines, and generations. Since then, he has recorded over a hundred albums, won nineteen Grammy Awards, performed for eight American presidents, and received the National Medal of the Arts and the Presidential Medal of Freedom, just to name a few accomplishments.
Staying true to himself, Yo-Yo Ma performed at the US-Mexico border at the Rio Grande on April 13, 2019, as part of his multi-continent "Bach Project" tour to prove a point--through music, we can build bridges rather than walls between different cultures.
‐-------
Pair with the following books:
The Dance of the Violin by Kathy Stinson, [Joshua Bell].
The Man With the Violin by Kathy Stinson, [Joshua Bell].
Itzhak: A Boy Who Loved the Violin by Tracy Newman
Ada's Violin: The Story of the Recycled Orchestra of Paraguay by Susan Hood
December 11, 2022
Truly lovely. I've been a Yo Yo Ma fan since getting introduced to him by of my love of James Taylor, who released a few albums with him when I was a teen, and I grew to be even more of a fan watching Mr. Ma find ways to bridge culture . . . pretty much my WHOLE life. (Even applied to work for his nonprofit here in Cambridge, MA. Got turned down, but it was a very encouraging rejection letter.) This picture book is a lovely tribute to who Yo Yo Ma is, why he matters, why what he's trying to do matters, and why working towards connection and bridging differences matters to our health and happiness as animals on the planet. The text is poetic and rhythmic. The illustrations are warm, friendly, kind, lively, and appealing. I think it would be easy to put this book down and not understand how important the story's lesson is. (Hope readers don't do that!) Finally, the author's notes at the end are engaging, fun, and revealing --I had no idea Petunia was so old (or that the cello had a nickname, or that a curious teenager uncovered Bach's music for cellos)!
March 24, 2022
Brief biography of the famous cellist. "Born in France to Chinese parents and raise in the United States."
"He finds home at the intersection of cultures. where traditions are kept alive and new ideas are born."
Tells how the parts of his cello come from countries all over the world and are "united in one instrument."
Note at ends tells how he united a group of strangers who spoke different languages to show art transcends political divisions and won two Grammys.
Bach project note explains how he played at the border as a "powerful symbolic response to the anti-immigrant rhetoric and polices pushed by the president of the United States and his supporters" during 2019.
A note on "Why Bach's Cello Suites?" Another note provides more information on his cello. Finally, the Author's Note tells of his own experience as an immigrant and what Yo-Yo Ma's action at the border meant to him. "Let us all build bridges, not walls."
Ezra Jack Keats Honor Award, writing.
"He finds home at the intersection of cultures. where traditions are kept alive and new ideas are born."
Tells how the parts of his cello come from countries all over the world and are "united in one instrument."
Note at ends tells how he united a group of strangers who spoke different languages to show art transcends political divisions and won two Grammys.
Bach project note explains how he played at the border as a "powerful symbolic response to the anti-immigrant rhetoric and polices pushed by the president of the United States and his supporters" during 2019.
A note on "Why Bach's Cello Suites?" Another note provides more information on his cello. Finally, the Author's Note tells of his own experience as an immigrant and what Yo-Yo Ma's action at the border meant to him. "Let us all build bridges, not walls."
Ezra Jack Keats Honor Award, writing.
January 18, 2024
This story is based on the real-life story of Yo-Yo Ma, world famous classical musician, who played his cello on the banks of the Rio Grande. It also provides some highlights of his life, and how he became the person who he is now. A person whose life, music, and even his instrument, Petunia, brings various pieces, that may seem very different, together to create something beautiful. The book focuses on music’s (and art in general) ability to be a bridge, instead of a wall. The illustrations are soft and beautiful, and the words are soothing. There is some great references in the back of the book that provide ore information, about things discussed in the story. On the surface, this book is about music, but at a deeper level (and perhaps for older children) it can be a conversation starter about activism, borders, immigration, and separation. It is a wonderful book for home and school – particularly for aspiring artists and those who want to bring about change.
March 25, 2023
If you read PLAYING AT THE BORDER, you're in for an experience where you'll feel the music evoked through lyrical language and lively art. An excellent refrain features how music can help transcend borders, and like her other well-loved books, Joanna Ho masterfully hones text to capture intriguing and expansive detail. The illustrations amplify the power of this book even more through serene sceneries with flowing notes, accompanying Yo-Yo Ma's musical performances full of heart to unite listeners all over. There are so many important undertones to this book: music as a borderless language, the beauty of overcoming cross-cultural barriers, building bridges over walls, the power of creative ventures, and how challenging conventions can inspire more collaboration. So excellent, and a most admirable depiction of the incredible Yo-Yo Ma!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 71 reviews