The Music Inside Us: Yo-Yo Ma & His Gifts to the World

From a bestselling and award-winning team comes a moving biography of one of the greatest cellists of all time, Yo-Yo Ma, and his lifelong passion for using music to unite people in harmony and joy.

“I’ve been asking myself all my life, ‘What is the purpose of music?’”—Yo-Yo Ma

4 starred reviews! "Will move some readers to tears and make them think about the special gifts each person possesses." (Kirkus)

At a young age, Yo-Yo Ma discovered a remarkable gift for the cello, playing Bach from memory by age four. His technique was far beyond his years, but even as he grew and became a world-class musician—studying at Juilliard, performing at Carnegie Hall at a young age, even playing on television before the president of the United States—he wanted to use his gift for something deeper, something bigger.

As he asked question after question, trying to understand his place in the world, he discovered something that every culture has in common: music.

Ma decided that he would spend his life not only performing for others, but learning from other cultures’ musical traditions and finding ways to unite people. Even as he dedicated himself to humanitarian work around the world, Ma also dedicated himself to teaching a new generation of young cellists to play with their whole hearts, bodies, and souls, like he does—how to find the music inside themselves.

From James Howe, bestselling author of Bunnicula, comes the story of legendary cellist Yo-Yo Ma, who is special not only because of his unmatched talent but also his curious mind and compassionate heart. Powerfully told, this biography will inspire readers to discover the gifts inside us all.

Back matter includes an author’s and an illustrator’s note and a timeline of Ma’s life.

"A tender depiction of an accomplished yet humble musician’s quest to play with emotion and heart and to move within and beyond the world of classical music."—Horn Book Magazine

© 2025 Recorded Books (Audiobook): 9798899731822

Release date

Audiobook: 5 August 2025