Little Eddie imagines that he, too, can play at Carnegie Hall one day. Art by Dan Monroe

When a precocious Little Eddie accompanies his piano teacher, Mr. C, to an audition at Carnegie Hall, the mentee realizes that music is everywhere. What happens next is a dream come true for a teacher. Little Eddie Goes to Carnegie Hall is based on the life of Edward Callahan. Callahan began playing piano at 5 with his teacher, Mrs. Billie Netterwald. Her influence as a classical pianist inspired Callahan to pursue the genre and one day perform on the stage of New York’s prestigious Carnegie Hall.

Little Eddie Goes to Carnegie Hall is a new book that highlights the importance of classical music for youth.

A partnership with the Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra and the youth organization, the Merze Tate Explorers, brought the story to life for more than 1,000 community members of all ages who attended the Musical Storytime event on September 19th, at Chenery Auditorium in Kalamazoo. The event also featured jazz great, Branford Marsalis, who composed music for the children’s book Jammin’ in Kalamazoo, by Sonya and Sean Hollins.

The picture book is by Sonya and Sean Hollins and illustrated by Dan Monroe, also known as a celebrity children’s book artist for those such as Dennis Rodman. Bill Caskey of the Kalamazoo Public Library surprised Callahan with the book when he asked Callahan to read a book about a young musician for their story time program. Callahan thought he was invited to promote his virtual solo performance for The Gilmore Keysfest, in his hometown of Kalamazoo.

Within 24 hours of its release, Little Eddie Goes to Carnegie Hall debuted in the top 100 Amazon Children’s Books on Performing Arts.

“I was in shock as the story was read, and I learned it was about me,” Callahan said from his home in New York City. “This pushes me to work hard to get on that stage!”

Since the release, Callahan has been a sought-after virtual visiting artist for elementary classrooms nationwide. Families who have purchased the book have shared images of their children holding it. One child replied, “Is that me?” as he looked at the smiling Little Eddie on the cover.

In addition to the animated story, real-life images of African-American musicians are shared, as a glossary of musical terms, and short biographies of those such as Duke Ellington and Nina Simone, who played at Carnegie Hall.

“I think this book will open the minds of young kids interested in music who can now see someone who looks like them,” Callahan said.

Little Eddie Goes to Carnegie Hall is available on AMAZON!

*Edward Callahan is featured in the headline image with artist Dan Monroe and his wife.