Drummer Boy

A stunning holiday book by beloved Otis creator Loren Long In this charming Christmas story, a toy drummer boy embarks--accidentally--on a journey on which he plays his drum and warms the hearts of everyone he encounters, from a rat to a snowman. Set against a snowy landscape by the bestselling Loren Long, this is a perfect read for chilly winter evenings. Long brings this story of an unforgettable little drummer boy to vivid life with his timeless and magical art.

This classic Christmas story about a shy boy who plays his trusted drum for the newborn king will charm children and parents alike. A brand new story from Bernadette Watts, never before published.

Carnival is coming, and the villagers of John John, Trinidad, are getting ready to jump up and celebrate with music, dancing, and a parade. Best of all, the Roti King has promised free rotis tasty fried pancakes filled with chicken, herbs, and spices for the best band in the parade. Young Winston dreams of feasting on those delicious rotis. But there's a problem: he's not in a band! Pondering his predicament as he wanders through the village junkyard, Winston makes a curious musical discovery that may be just the ticket to realizing his dream. With ingenuity and the help of his friends, Winston takes on the Carnival bands, drumming his way to victory and to the Roti King's prized treat. Musical text and sun-drenched paintings joyously transport readers to the Caribbean in this exuberant story inspired by the early life of Winston "Spree" Simon, a pioneer in the development of the steel drum

Would you ever run off to join the army, leaving your family behind? That's what nine-year-old John Lincoln Clem does in 1861. Determined to fight for his country, Johnny sneaks onto a train filled with men from the 3rd Ohio Union Regiment. Taken in by the older soldiers, Johnny becomes a drummer boy, and later, takes up his own musket. As the war rages on, Johnny experiences the brutalities of battle as well as the rampant illness and gnawing hunger in between. But the most dangerous part of Johnny’s journey is yet to come. Based on a True Story books are exciting historical fiction about real children who lived through extraordinary times in American History. This title has Common Core connections.

Rukundo lives in a small village in Rwanda, Africa. Each morning he plays his drum and wakes up the people of his village. Then Rukundo and the other children are sent to the water hole to get water to bring back to their village. The water is never clean and it carries disease. After drinking the dirty water, Rukundo's family becomes sick and ends up at the hospital. Upset and frustrated, Rukundo turns to his drum. A reporter sees Rukundo and begins taking pictures for an article. With the help of the good-hearted people who read the story, a water pump is installed in Rukundo's village. Social and emotional learning concepts include generosity, empathy, and helping others. Book includes a note to caregivers and story coaching. A Reader’s Theater version is available online so that children can benefit from dramatic interpretation.

When the Confederate Army calls, Johnny puts aside playing games with his sisters and leaves his plantation home to serve as a drummer boy.

Li'l Dan, a slave on a Southern plantation, loves to play his drum. When a company of Union soldiers announce that the slaves have been set free, Dan has no place to go, so he follows the soldiers, who make him their mascot. But Confederate soldiers attack, and Dan discovers that he is the only one who can save his friends. The only children's book ever written and illustrated by legendary American artist Romare Bearden, Li'l Dan, the Drummer Boy was just recently discovered. Dr. Henry Louis Gates Jr. has written a personal introduction to the book, describing his own memories of the artist while Bearden created this memorable tale. On an accompanying CD, Dr. Maya Angelou, three-time Grammy Award winner for spoken word recordings, reads the text.

A thirteen-year old boy lies about his age to join the Union forces during America's bloodiest war. No matter what happens, a drummer boy in the Civil War must keep playing his drum to relay orders and rally spirits.