From globally renowned, award-winning cellist, Sheku Kanneh-Mason comes a magical, musical picture book adventure that will inspire a love of music in readers of three and up.

Little Sheku LOVED music. He loved to hear the beautiful sounds that flowed from his cello as his bow danced across the strings. And he loved finding music in unexpected places...

Little Sheku can't wait to play his cello in a concert with the animal orchestra. But when they discover a dragon has stolen the conductor, Little Sheku and the animals must embark on a music-filled adventure to the dragon's cave. Will they rescue the conductor in time to finish the concert?

From globally renowned, award-winning cellist, Sheku Kanneh-Mason, comes this magical, musical picture book adventure that will inspire a love of music in readers of three and up.

Sheku's lyrical writing weaves musicality into every sentence, drawing on his life-long love of the cello to tell his tale. Rekha Salin's stunning illustrations send music springing and singing from every page.

Decca Classics announces the release of Carnival, a very special collaboration between Academy Award-winning actor Olivia Colman, children's author Michael Morpurgo and the seven "extraordinarily talented" (Classic FM) Kanneh-Mason siblings - Isata, Braimah, Sheku, Konya, Jeneba, Aminata and Mariatu. The brand-new Kanneh-Mason album, their first as a family, will be released on 6th November 2020.

Recorded at London's Abbey Road Studios, the release includes new poems written by War Horse author Morpurgo to accompany French composer Saint-Saëns' beloved musical suite 'Carnival of the Animals'. The poems are read by the author himself, joined by The Favourite actor Colman, and guest musicians complete the ensemble for the suite.

Track list
Preamble- Morpurgo
Introduction and Royal March of the Lion-morpurgo
Introduction and Royal March of the Lion
Hens and Roosters-colman
Hens and Roosters
Wild Donkeys, Swift Animals-morpurgo
Wild Donkeys, Swift Animals
Tortoises Colman
Tortoises
The Elephant Morpurgo
The Elephant
Kangaroos-colman
Kangaroos
Aquarium-morpurgo
Aquarium
Characters with Long Ears-colman
Characters with Long Ears
The Cuckoo in the Depths of the Woods-colman
The Cuckoo in the Depths of the Woods
Aviary-morpurgo
Aviary
Pianists-morpurgo & Colman
Pianists
Fossils-morpurgo
Fossils
The Swan-colman
The Swan
Final-morpurgo & Colman
The Finale
Tchaikovsky: Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy from Nutcracker S
Grandpa Christmas
Bartok Duos from 44 Duos Arr. Two Cellos: Maypole Dance (She
Grandpa Christmas
Two Bartok Duos from 44 Duos Arr. Two Cellos: Mosquito Dance
Grandpa Christmas
Grieg Lyric Pieces: 'little Bird' (Konya Solo Piano)
Grandpa Christmas
Rimsky-korsakov Arr. Rachmaninov: Flight of the Bumble Bee (
Grandpa Christmas
Castelnuovo-tedesco Arr. Heifetz: 'sea Murmurs' (Braimah & J
Grandpa Christmas
Bartok Duos from 44 Duos Arr. Two Cellos: Maypole Dance (She
Grandpa Christmas
Eric Whitacre Arr. Parkin: 'the Seal Lullaby' (All Seven Chi
Bob Marley Arr. Kanneh-mason: Redemption Song 40th Anniversa

WINNER OF THE INDIE BOOK AWARD 2022 FOR NON-FICTION WINNER OF THE ROYAL PHILHARMONIC SOCIETY STORYTELLING AWARD 2021 ‘Riveting, taking in prejudice as well as sacrifice. There are 4.30am starts, lost instruments, fractured wrists, all captured with vivid flourishes. A paean to camaraderie.’ Observer Seven brothers and sisters. All of them classically trained musicians. One was Young Musician of the Year and performed for the royal family. The eldest has released her first album, showcasing the works of Clara Schumann. These siblings don’t come from the rarefied environment of elite music schools, but from a state comprehensive in Nottingham. How did they do it? Their mother, Kadiatu Kanneh-Mason, opens up about what it takes to raise a musical family in a Britain divided by class and race. What comes out is a beautiful and heartrending memoir of the power of determination, camaraderie and a lot of hard work. The Kanneh-Masons are a remarkable family. But what truly sparkles in this eloquent memoir is the joyous affirmation that children are a gift and we must do all we can to nurture them.

The musical Kanneh-Mason family joins Oscar-winning actress Olivia Colman and beloved author Michael Morpurgo for an album of magical storytelling this holiday season. Carnival features a performance of Saint-Saens' beloved Carnival Of The Animals Suite. New poems by Morpurgo, plus narration from Morpurgo/Colman. Interspersed with classics like "Flight of the Bumble Bee" and "Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy." The siblings close the album together with an arrangement of Marley's "Redemption Song."

Track list
The Carnival of the Animals: Preamble - Narration
Introduction and Royal March of the Lion - Narration
Introduction and Royal March of the Lion [carnival of the an
Hens and Roosters - Narration
Hens and Roosters [carnival of the Animals]
Wild Donkeys Swift Animals (Or Make What You Like of That) -
Wild Donkeys Swift Animals [the Carnival of the Animals]
Tortoises - Narration
Tortoises [carnival of the Animals]
The Elephant - Narration
The Elephant [carnival of the Animals]
Kangaroos - Narration
Kangaroos [carnival of the Animals]
Aquarium (Or I Have a Friend) - Narration
Aquarium [carnival of the Animals]
Characters with Long Ears - Narration
Characters with Long Ears [carnival of the Animals]
The Cuckoo in the Depths of the Woods - Narration
The Cuckoo in the Depths of the Woods [carnival of the Anima
Aviary - Narration
Aviary [carnival of the Animals]
Pianists (Or Who Sings Best in the Bath) - Narration
Pianists [carnival of the Animals]
Fossils (Or Doing the Brontosaurus) - Narration
Fossils [carnival of the Animals]
The Swan - Narration
The Swan [carnival of the Animals]
Finale - Narration
Finale [carnival of the Animals]
Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy (Arr. Langer) [the Nutcracker
Every Year at Christmas... - Narration
Maypole Dance [44 Duos for Two Violins, Sz. 98]
To My Little Granddaughter Mia... - Narration
Mosquito Dance [44 Duos for Two Violins, Sz. 98]
I Sat There Watching You... - Narration
4. Little Bird [lyric Pieces, Op. 43]
Just to See You Digging There... - Narration
The Flight of the Bumble-bee (Arr. Rachmaninov)
If I Have Learnt One Thing... - Narration
Sea Murmurs (Arr. Heifetz)
I Wish for You a World Where the Elephant and the Lion... -
Maypole Dance [44 Duos for Two Violins, Sz. 98] - Reprise
When the Reading is Over... - Narration
The Seal Lullaby (Arr. Parkin)
Redemption Song (Arr. Kanneh-mason)

Music is what makes us alive, mindful and connected to each other. Music is what makes us human. This is the power of music.

Cellist Sheku Kanneh-Mason knows and feels the transformative power of music as much as any musician alive. From winning the prestigious BBC Young Musician Award to performing at Harry and Meghan’s wedding; from Bach’s solo suites to Bob Marley’s reggae; his ferocious passion shines through in every single performance, whether in a packed-out concert hall or on record.

But how was it that someone like him – a person of colour, from a state school in Nottingham – rose to the upper echelons of the classical music world? What were the obstacles that he had to overcome, what did he learn along the way, and how could a young person follow in his footsteps today?

In The Power of Music, Sheku explores the experiences and values that led him here, from a childhood of football practice and family music sessions, to his work today in the world’s finest concert halls and in the less privileged communities that surround them. As his star continues to rise, he shows us the darker side of an industry ruled by exclusivity and stubborn adherence to tradition.

With its power to transform our mental and physical health, to effect social change, and to make a house a home, Sheku shows us that classical music is for everyone, not just an elite few. The Power of Music is a celebration of music of all sorts and those who make it, and a rallying call to change.

The Sheku Kanneh-Mason Cello Collection combines the artist's renowned performance repertoire with his own inspirational compositions, all as performed by Sheku himself. Suitable for the intermediate cellist and beyond, this dynamic volume is sure to spark a desire to perform. With commentary from Sheku revealing the stories behind the pieces and his own expert advice, this collection is a must-have for all aspiring cellists.