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�0�3but couldn�0�8t 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�0�8s heart�0�8s desire.

Written and illustrated with the gentle poignancy and humor of Don Freeman�0�8s best work, Manuelo the Playing Mantis is a story that will take its place on bookshelves beside Dandelion, Beady Bear, and Corduroy.