Maurice

This picture book reveals a canine musician’s journey of pursuing passion, love, and inner strength.

In the city of Paris, Maurice offered his music on street corners because he felt that “sharing his music with others was what mattered.” Music was the language of love in these exchanges, and Maurice brought happiness to people with each passing day. He felt content and satisfied.

When the musician was back in his neighborhood, Maurice tried to offer smiles and kindness. He had a caring nature that warmed up the most indifferent neighbors. Living humbly, Maurice loved keeping pet birds as his company. He spent what he earned in feeding these little friends. This was love too. In fact, Maurice considered these birds his inspiration.

Then change came as the melody of life turned. The city became more crowded and transient. The people who would stop and listen to Maurice playing music became fewer and fewer. With a dwindling income, Maurice had to do something with his little bird friends at home. He made a decision to let them go.

Without music and inspiration, even Maurice lost his smiles. Neighbors saw his melancholy and tried to cheer him up. Maurice decided to search for new inspiration to play again. He went out and looked for love, his “only muse.” When spring returned, Maurice watched trees sprouting, friends gathering, and children holding their parents’ hands. Then memories of love came back. “Hearts remember.” As Maurice once played his music, people stopped to listen because that music was from the heart. “Love, like a song, is always better when it’s shared.” (Chronicle Books)