Manuelo, The Playing Mantis [Hardcover]

Don Freeman (Author), Lisa McCue (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 8, 2004 | Age Level: 3 and up | Grade Level: P and up

When Don Freeman died in 1978, he left behind illustrations and a finished manuscript for a story that was close to his heart. Freeman himself was a professional trumpeter and he was working on the story of a creature who loved music—but couldn’t make any himself.

Manuelo is a praying mantis who spends summer evenings listening raptly to outdoor concerts. How he longs to join in! But though he tries to make a flute from a cattail, a horn from a trumpet flower, and a harp from twigs, nothing seems to work. But then Manuelo makes a friend who shows him how to create a cello . . . and in doing so opens the door to Manuelo’s heart’s desire.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Kindergarten-Grade 4-Though Freeman died in 1978, his love for storytelling and, in particular, his love for music live on through this previously unpublished tale of determination personified in the character of a praying mantis. The lonely insect longs to join other creatures in making music, but lacks the chirp of the crickets or the croak of the frogs. He also fails at building his own instruments, as a reed made into a flute makes no noise, the flower of a trumpet vine does not blow, and his "snippy" claws break the strings of a twig-and-cobweb harp. Finally, an intelligent and observant spider agrees to help him, if he promises not to eat her for dinner. An artistic collaboration is born as Debby Webster spins web and other objects into an instrument that will bring music into Manuelo's life. The rich pastel illustrations present the world of the resolute Manuelo as the "playing mantis" introduces various instruments to readers. With his stick-thin limbs, the insect makes a graceful figure as he plays his homemade cello. The tiny white spider perfectly reflects the delicate nature of the web she spins. With characters that are empathetic and intrepid, this story makes a good model for encouraging youngsters to persevere when they encounter difficulties. A fine choice for all libraries, this book will be of special interest to young musicians.-Mary Elam, Forman Elementary School, Plano, TX
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From Booklist

K-Gr. 2. Manuelo, a praying mantis, loves to listen to the outdoor concerts near the meadow where he lives. Though he doesn't have a way of making music with his body, like crickets or katydids, he tries to make a flute from a cattail and a horn from a trumpet flower--unsuccessfully. A cheerful spider offers to help and sends Manuelo to find half a walnut shell and a curlicued stick. She spins strings for him, and Manuelo makes a cello with a bluebird feather for a bow. Freeman died in 1978, but most of the illustrations here are his; several others were finished from his sketches by Jody Wheeler. The art features delicate lines, soft, bright colors, and a certain whimsy: it's hard not to be charmed by the sight of the mantis playing for an audience of frogs and insects. Friends of Corduroy will want to meet Manuelo, too. GraceAnne DeCandido
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 3 and up
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Viking Juvenile (March 8, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0670036846
• ISBN-13: 978-0670036844
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 9.3 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #77,575 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Don Freeman was born in San Diego, California, in 1908. At an early age, he received a trumpet as a gift from his father. He practiced obsessively and eventually joined a California danceband. After graduating from high school, he ventured to New York City to study art under the tutelage of Joan Sloan and Harry Wickey at the Art Students' League. He managed to support himself throughout his schooling by playing his trumpet evenings, in nightclubs and at weddings.
Gradually, he eased into making a living sketching impressions of Broadway shows for The New York Times and The Herald Tribune. This shift was helped along, in no small part, by a rather heartbreaking incident; he lost his trumpet. One evening, he was so engrossed in sketching people on the subway, he simply forgot it was sitting on the seat beside him. This new career turned out to be a near-perfect fit for Don, though, as he had always loved the theater.

He was introduced to the world of Childrens' Literature, when William Saroyan asked him to illustrate several books. Soon after, he began to write and illustrate his own books, a career he settled into comfortably and happily. Through his writing, he was able to create his own theater: "I love the flow of turning the pages, the suspense of what's next. Ideas just come at me and after me. It's all so natural. I work all the time, long into the night, and it's such a pleasure. I don't know when the time ends. I've never been happier in my life!"

Don died in 1978, after a long and successful career. He created many beloved characters in his lifetime, perhaps the most beloved among them a stuffed, overall-wearing bear, named Corduroy.

Don Freeman was the author and illustrator of many popular books for children, including Corduroy, A Pocket for Corduroy, and the Caldecott Honor Book Fly High, Fly Low.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Manuelo the Playing Mantis, May 13, 2007

By 

E,D. Nosall "sweetieedie" (Montgomery, NY USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Manuelo, The Playing Mantis (Paperback)

Good to leave for a music sub. Cute, but you have to use an assortment of voices to keep the kids interested. Subtle illustrations--bold coloring and large pictures not there to amuse the "glued to the tv" generation. There are many tangents you can go off on when reading this book....Why are Praying Mantises (or would they be manti?) protected? Instrument families, concert etiquette etc.

5.0 out of 5 stars manuelo, the playing mantis, September 5, 2009

By 

Desiree Corn "dezi" (catoosa, ok) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Manuelo, The Playing Mantis (Paperback)

i purchased this book solely upon a review of it. my kids really liked the story and how it teaches perserverance. i would recommend it to anyone with little kids. mine are almost 5 and 6 1/2. they have asked me to read it again and again. my older child is reading it to the younger.