Review of "Manuelo the Playing Mantis" by Don Freeman

Freedman authored the beloved series of children's books that brought a bear called Corduroy into our lives. Corduroy is dear to the hearts of many young readers. Now meet someone new.

This time the story takes place in a meadow named Cloverdale. It is here that a very lonely praying mantis lives. His name is Mnauelo, and he wants to be a musician. Mnauelo just loves music! He tries to make a flute out of a cattail and a horn out of a trumpet flower. Then he tries to make a harp from a cobweb but none of these work out. Then he meets someone who shows him how to make a walnut shell and a stick into a cello. There is a third very special ingredient that is used to make this cello, but I will let you find that for yourself when you read this to your youngsters.

This is a lovely tale, and Freeman illustrated it with equally lovely paintings that highlight the story with light colors. It's a symphony for insects.