Fogelson, Marni, and Mahani Teave. The Girl Who Heard the Music: How One Pianist and 85,000 Bottles and Cans Brought New Hope to an Island. Sourcebooks Explore, 2023. 978-1-728-26231-4. $18.99. 32 p. Grades K-3.

Mahani Teave grew up on Rapu Nui (Easter Island). As a young girl she was fascinated with western classical music. When teachers and artists visited Rapu Nui, Mahani would dabble with various instruments, but the musicians always left and took their instruments with them. One day a retired music teacher moved to Rapu Nui bringing along a piano. It quickly became clear that Mahani was a child prodigy. Chilean pianist Roberto Bravo discovered Mahani at the age of nine and encouraged her to leave the island to study classical piano. Mahani toured the world as a concert pianist for several years. As time went on, Easter Island became a popular tourist destination. Along with the tourists came a considerable amount of trash, much of which ended up in the ocean. When she returned to Rapu Nui, Mahani founded a nonprofit organization focused on developing the cultural opportunities available on the island as well as preserving its ecological landscape. Mahani built a music school out of recycled materials that is run using only natural resources.

THOUGHTS: Interesting story intertwining a young musician’s story with the cultural history of Rapu Nui. In building her music school Mahani was able to give back to her community. She successfully brought musical education to the island’s children, developing a program that also teaches the traditional music, customs, history, and language of the island. Additionally, Mahani was also able to help solve the island’s ecological crisis. Through her non-profit organization the island has set a goal of becoming sustainable and waste free by 2030.

Picture Book
Biography