In the Time of the Drums

This poetically-written book tells a tale of resiliency and the importance of holding on to one's roots. Unlike some other picture books about this topic that I've read, 'In the Time of Drums' manages to convey the realities slavery while still remaining an appropriate book for young readers. Moreover, this beautiful story is one not of the ways in which black people were broken by this appalling practice but instead of the ways in which African traditions were preserved for generations after those people who became the first slaves were ripped from their homelands.

Based on an old Gullah legend, 'In The Time of Drums' is an inspirational tale which takes place during the time of slavery and African slave ships completing the middle passage. The story revolves around grandmother Twi and her young grandson Mentu. Mentu is too young to work in the fields so Twi takes this opportunity to teach him how to play the goatskin drums and chant the songs she grew up with in Africa. Mentu was born on Gullah, so she is instilling her history into him which he will then pass on to his children and so on for generations to come. I chose to make the target audience grades 3-6 because the abstract concept of people choosing suicide over slavery may be difficult for younger children to grasp.

Mentu is being taught by Twi the ways of their culture in Africa. She teaches him stories, songs, and secrets. This book did a great job at portraying the horrors of slavery while also keeping it mild enough for a child to still be able to read and understand. The illustrations were amazing. I loved the visible brush strokes of the the paint used to color many of the illustrations. For any child who is unfamiliar with the history of slavery, this book would be a perfect educational experience to introduce to them a portrait of the history behind it. This book shows the importance of how culture is linked to identity. Throughout the story, Mentu is taught not to let the harsh inequalities of slavery erase his culture. Eventually he takes show more on the role of Twi after he grows older. When overcoming overwhelming odds, it is essential to come together, share, and never forget where you came from! show less

"In the Time of the Drums", it is about a little boy named Mentu and his Grandmother Twi living on a plantation as slaves. Twi has been in Mentu's life since the day he was born and has taken care of him ever since. She loved him "like her own soul" and taught him how to be independent for when he had to be "strong-strong" on his own one day. Twi noticed how the other slaves were forgetting their African roots and made sure to sing old songs and tell old stories from her homeland to help inform Mentu of his roots and to not let this culture be forgotten anymore than it already has. One day, a slave ship shows up to the island where they live, making everyone initially think it was only goods being delivered. The slaves on the ship show more thought they were going back to Africa, but they had a rude awakening when they realized they were only being transported to do slave work. When they come to this conclusion, the slaves come together on the boat and sing a song that Mentu recognizes as one of Twi's songs that she would sing to him. Twi then tells Mentu that he now has to be "strong-strong" while she goes away with her "brothers and sisters" and take them "home." They all walk hand-in-hand into the water together, while Mentu looks on from afar. The story then fast forwards to when Mentu is an adult with children of his own. He sings the songs and tells the stories to his children like Twi did for him and the tradition goes on with each generation afterwards. This story is a very informative and great read for a child that has already been introduced to the history of slavery. It shows the special and happy bond between two family members during a very sad and emotional time in history. Even though there was darkness, they found a light in each other and in their own culture.
While the story is very inspirational, the illustrations help portray that as well. This Coretta Scott King Awarded book showcases amazing line work, bright colors, and contrast. Each stroke in the art work is seen and it shows how many layers of lines went into the drawing. It looks as if the illustrations started off as a layer of black with bright colors drawn on top, making every detail pop and the contrast look beautiful. Also, the softness and color choice of the sunsets in the background of every page really makes the characters come to life and delivers the bond between family through the reality of slavery. show less

This story was unlike many slavery stories. This story encompassed not just the hardship of being brought to the new world, but also the pain of leaving behind their homeland's culture. This story kept alive the African traditions that ran deep in the character's souls. It painted the picture that their ancestry was stronger than the mind numbing new world's tasks. This story was emotional to say the least, that nationalism was stronger than family at one point that heroism had to rise to the occasion to save their traditions. This story shows the longing for freedom unites even the most oppressed. That even when their minds grew faint on their ancencestry, they were not alone. They came together to hold their traditions throughout show more generations to come. This story is an empowering one that gets the point across that one must become stronger than their burdon or that burdon will tear away at their soul. Without determination and strength one's will to remember who they are will deteriorate. show less

I really enjoyed this book! I think that this is a great interpretation of what slaves had to go through when they were taken away. They were jerked out of their homelands, forced into a new life, and were not always able to remember what exactly "home" was. In this book, Mentu was an island-born boy who was raised by his grandmother Twi. Everyone on the island was intimidated by Twi and she was well known and respected. Although many people had lost their "roots", Twi remained strong and passed them down to Mentu. He learned about his heritage, how to be strong, to play the drums, and even to understand the language of the drums. One day, a ship docked on the island and the Ibo people on board were being brought on land to be sold. show more They heard Mentu's drum playing and were stomping on the floor back to respond. The Ibo people learned they were not home but somewhere new and they refused to leave the ship. Twi heard this and she knew it was her time to help, even if this meant leaving Mentu behind. She told her grandson that he would know when it was his time to be strong and with that, left. She took the Ibo people off of the ship and into the water, they were being "taken home." Mentu never forgot where he came from and what Twi taught him along with what she represented. Mentu grew up, continued to be strong, and taught his children and others what Twi taught him. This book was awesome and one I really enjoyed reading! I think that the illustrations to this book are one of most important aspects. The pictures really connected the story to an emotional tie. show less

In the Time of the Drums is a beautiful picture book that tells the story of a young boy learning the African drums of his ancestors. Mentu learns the words and ways of Africa through his grandmother Twi who calls Africa her home. Mentu's grandmother reminds him to never forget the ways of Africa, and that it takes strength to never forget. Twi prepares Mentu to work in the fields during slavery by instilling strength and wisdom. The illustrations of the book are beautiful and reminiscent of actual oil paintings. In the Time of the Drums is a story of survival, a story of strength, and a story of strong ancestral traditions that brought a people together and led a people home.