The journey of one girl to becoming a musician and composer as chronicled here started with her hearing a particular piece of music, written by Franz Schubert, at a concert in New York City when she was a child. How she came to be at that concert, and how the members of the orchestra were able to be there, too, even how the music was written, is playfully recounted in the first 3/4 of this picture book, a series of lively cause-and-effect anecdotes that build to a life-changing experience for the girl. (e.g., The musicians were in the orchestra because they practiced and studied for years. The conductor was able to be at the concert because his train stopped at the concert hall. The hall was ready because many workers had prepared it. The girl, who is white, had a ticket because her uncle was sick with a cold and couldn’t go.) The story briefly spans the years following that performance, chronicling the girl’s journey to composer. Warm, lively illustrations complete this thought-provoking work. (Ages 4–8)

Mo Willems, a number one New York Times best-selling author and illustrator, composes a powerful symphony of chance, discovery, persistence, and magic in this moving tale of a young girl's journey to center stage. Illustrator Amber Ren brings Willems' music to life, conducting a stunning picture-book debut.