DRUMMER HOFF
by Barbara Emberley & illustrated by Ed Emberley
two three four. two three four... "Private Parriage brought the carriage, Corporal Farrell brought the barrel, Sergeant Chowder brought the powder. Captain Bammer brought the rammer, Major Scott brought the shot. General Border gave the order, but Drummer Hoff fired it off." In military tempo each makes his entrance and when the whole cannon is assembled—KAHDAUBLOOM. On the first reading kids will join in the refrain; on the second they'll repeat the whole verse with you; on the third, with any encouragement, they'll reenact the entire procession—and explode at the end. The spark comes from the match of illustrations to text. They're wildly patterned, wildly colored woodcuts always under control until the grand and glorious blast-off, and then even Drummer Hoff burns.