Look Up & Hear the Music
When the unexpected happens, let the music guide you.
Look Up & Hear the Music
Miki waits excitedly for the arrival of Mrs. Stone, her piano teacher. Mrs. Stone’s enthusiastic sharing of songs filled Miki with the joy of playing the piano. When Miki hears and plays the songs she senses the comforting sights and sounds around her. Despite having a much loved and well-practiced song for a piano performance, the unexpected happens.
This story is based on Miki’s memories of her childhood piano performances. It is a tribute to her special teachers, Mrs. Stone and Ozawa Sensei, who inspired and encouraged her love of music. The story
Look Up and Hear the Music conveys the magic of visualizing a positive outcome, while sensing the beauty around us, to overcome challenges. This will allow us to persist at what we are meant to do.
Why You’ll Love This Story
🎶Empowers Resilience: It teaches children how to navigate mistakes or the “unexpected” during a big moment, offering visualization as a practical tool to regain confidence.
🎶Celebrates Mentorship: The story beautifully highlights the profound, lasting impact that encouraging teachers and mentors have on a child’s passions.
🎶Encourages Mindfulness: Miki’s journey shows young readers how to ground themselves by noticing the comforting sights, sounds, and beauty in their immediate environment.
🎶Relatable for Young Performers: Perfect for any child learning an instrument, playing a sport, or preparing for a recital, validating their nerves while cheering them on.
About the Illustrator
Jon Davis is an award winning illustrator of more than 100 books across the globe. Jon is based in his small but snug studio at the back of his house, where he lives with his family in the Lake District, UK.
Joyful Melodies & Kind Words
This story is a love letter to music and shows the discipline and passion required to confidently share that love with others. Throughout the whole story, the music invokes specific imagery and memories for the young musician, Miki. It reveals how the musician’s own relationship to performing their art is just as magical as how it is received by the audience. Miki’s experiences of music transporting her elsewhere are deeply relatable to any fellow creatives. I adore how it’s a story that demonstrates what loving mentorship looks like, exemplified through encouraging adults, and how a child finds her inner confidence to share her love of music.
~ Allie Nerderman
MA, LPCC, Mental Health Counselor, Capybara Counseling, LLC
A charming story with beautiful illustrations that stresses the importance of never giving up and keeping one’s cultural roots alive.
~ Sandra Martin-Denis
Author of Why the Turtle Walks So Slowly and Marisol Can’t Sleep
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Jean loves visiting schools, libraries, and community events to share her stories and inspire children to celebrate their individuality.
Her interactive presentations encourage kids to read, dream, and believe in their own unique gifts.
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