The Horn Book Guide

THE ARTS

Davis, Katherine , Onorati, Henry , Simeone, Harry

The Little Drummer Boy

32 pp. | Clarion | September, 2001 | Trade ISBN 0-395-97015-6 $$15.00

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Kristina Rodanas. The Christmas song is set firmly in the Middle East with the boy narrator playing a traditional darbuka. While most of the main characters have dark eyes and complexions, Mary is a slightly jarring exception. Nevertheless, the realistic watercolor and pencil illustrations convey the affectionate connections between the characters. The "pa-rum-pum-pum-pum" refrain has been set in gray type, a pleasing design choice. Music is appended.

Reviewer: Lolly Robinson