THIS IS MUSIC

A look at drums and drum sounds laced with an invitation to keep the beat.

Exploring everything from Cuban bongos to West African djembes, with marching bands in between, this board book highlights homemade drums, simple drums, wearable drums, and even belly drums. Rajan’s text explains the drum names and their purpose (to “KEEP THE BEAT!” of course). With “TAM! THAKA TAM!” and “RAT-A-TAT-TAT!” even the words themselves make music. Rajan takes care to explain that drumming can happen almost anywhere, even on the side of a bathtub, on the floor, or on the refrigerator; it’s all about the rhythm. Yakunova’s illustrations are geometric and boldly colored. Characters depicted range in skin tone. The end of the book includes a circle with a textured center, the material meant to imitate a drumhead. Rajan then invites readers to start drumming by “playing this book.” This manipulative element really isn’t necessary, especially since the book makes for a great surface without that. The final two pages include labeled images of drums, even the atypical kinds like a playground slide.

Part informational, part playful, and sure to drum up reader interest.