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.