Manuelo The Playing Mantis Author:Don Freeman 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 musicbut couldnt make any himself. Manuelo is a praying mantis who spends summer evenings listening rapt... more »ly 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 Manuelos hearts desire.« less