Suzuki’s “method” includes focus not only on music, but also on character development — on awareness, joy, integrity, courage. He believes that “However little talent on thinks he/she has, one should at least try”. This book is easy to read, filled with stories & philosophy and bolstered by photographs here & there, inspiring joy in the reader.

By way of criticism, while themes of compassion and developing a noble character recur throughout the book, it takes some effort to piece it all together. The book reads like a series of short improvisations on the themes of love and rearing of children. The parts of personal history, for example, with the description of illness, war and Suzuki’s father’s starting violin manufacturing business, while interesting, do not blend with the rest of the book. A chapter entitled “If you think of something do it” has nothing to do with its title (there is a chapter that talks about people of action in his other book, “Ability development from age zero”, which repeats many of the stories verbatim). Some bits of Suzuki’s take on life’s truths, such as “an unfair advantage leads to evil” sound out of place.

In spite of some shortcomings, I would recommend this book. Not as a practical guide, but as an inspirational material for parents.