Drummer Boy (edition 2008)

A strange package shows up at a little boys front door. Inside the package is a little drummer boy. The little drummer boy gets lost and with the help of many different sources he is found again and plays his drum for baby jesus. ( )

This book tells the story of Little Drummer Boy who is given as a gift to a little boy. When the Little Drummer Boy is accidentally thrown in the trash, he goes on a journey to be returned all the while playing his drum. With the help of an owl, the wind, and a dog, the Little Drummer Boy is found by the little boy and is taken home to play at the manger of Baby Jesus.
Genre: Fantasy
Critique: This book is a good example of fantasy because it gives human feelings to a snowman and an owl, and has the Little Drummer Boy playing the drum all by himself.
Media: Acrylic ( )

On a cold winter's day there was a package delivered to the front door of a young boy's home. It was not addressed to anyone in particular, nor was it from anyone in particular. It had a note attached to it that read to open it early before Christmas. It was a drummer boy-just what the child wanted. The Drummer Boy knocked went everywhere with the boy and was placed on his desk at night. That night the dog's tail knocked it down into the trash can which then got taken out by his mother, and thrown into the garbage truck going to the city dump. There, an ugly rat encountered the drummer boy. He began to play his drum, and the rat ran off not bothering him. He was then scooped up by an owl and taken to the owl's nest to feed the babies. Instead the drummer boy played his drums and put the baby owls to sleep. From there mother owl carried the drummer in her beak and dropped him on top of a city bell tower. There he played his drums for the town. The wind blew in the morning and knocked the drummer into the snow where he was stuck. He was finally picked up by a dog and dropped by the foot of a giant snowman. He played his drums giving the snowman a cozy chill. He was then carried to a cemetery by a racoon, where the boy found him next to his grandmother's grave. They were reunited in time for Christmas and the boy listened to the drummer boy play warming his own heart.

Personal Response: I found this picture book to be slightly boring. I do think that young children will enjoy the repetition of the Drummer Boy's song.
Curricular Connection: In a First Grade Classroom, after reading this story aloud, a teacher can lead students in creating a timeline of the Drummer Boy's adventures leading to his recovery. ( )

The little drummer boy gets knocked about, carried off to a garbage dump and the top of a big city, until he finally returns back home. Ages 5-10. ( )