PLAYING FROM THE HEART by Peter H. Reynolds
HARDCOVER
Author & Illustrator: Peter H. Reynolds
Tender, reflective, and quietly powerful, PLAYING FROM THE HEART is a moving picture book about music, expectations, and rediscovering joy - from the creator of The Dot.
When Raj first sits at his family’s piano, he plays purely for fun, delighting in the sound of plunking keys and making music his own way. Wanting to support him, Raj’s father signs him up for lessons. Raj learns notes, then scales, then songs - and eventually polished classical pieces his father recognises and praises.
But as Raj’s skill grows, his joy fades. Playing becomes about doing things “right,” not about how the music feels. Over time, Raj stops playing altogether. Years later, when his father becomes ill and asks Raj to play for him once more, Raj must reconnect with the music - and remember how to play from the heart.
Written and illustrated by Peter H. Reynolds, this thoughtful story explores creativity, pressure, and the deep emotional bonds shared through art and family. Ideal for conversations about music, learning, and balance, and perfect for young musicians, families, and classrooms, Playing from the Heart is a poignant reminder that the most meaningful creativity comes from feeling - not perfection.