Overview

"The perfect book for aspiring young drummers, where a young boy in Trinidad discovers he can create tunes on discarded metal tins, and goes on to win the Carnival band competition. Now in paperback! Carnival is coming, and the villagers of John John, Trinidad, are getting ready to jump up and celebrate with music, dancing, and a parade. Best of all, the Roti King has promised free rotis--tasty fried pancakes filled with chicken, herbs, and spices--for the best band in the parade. Young Winston dreams of feasting on those delicious rotis. But there's a problem: he's not in a band! Pondering his predicament as he wanders through the village junkyard, Winston makes a curious musical discovery that may be just the ticket to realizing his dream. With ingenuity and the help of his friends, Winston takes on the Carnival bands, drumming his way to victory--and to the Roti King's prized treat. Musical text and sun-drenched paintings joyously transport readers to the Caribbean in this exuberant story inspired by the early life of Winston ""Spree"" Simon, a pioneer in the development of the steel drum."

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9781620148068

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Reviews

* Greenwood's story is based on the childhood of Winston Simon, the 20th-century musician credited with the invention of the steel drum. The text is filled with a cacophony of musical words that are fun and challenging to read aloud. Lessac's gouache paintings pulsate with sun-drenched island colors and often resemble a folk-art quilt. A joy to read. Play calypso music and celebrate! -- Kirkus Reviews, starred review Lessac's vibrant gouache scenes in her signature folk style radiate the energy of the music and the lushness of Trinidad. -- School Library Journal Great for sharing in the classroom, kids will want to read this many times over. -- Booklist While it could be used straight as a story of invention or music history, it cries out for a choral performance with kids on found instruments letting cacophony merrily ring out. -- Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books Best Children's Books of the Year, Bank Street College of Education Commended Lists - Americas Book Award, Consortium of Latin American Studies Programs Choices, Cooperative Children's Book Center (CCBC)

Best Children's Books of the Year Commended Lists - Americas Book Award Choices

"* ""Greenwood's story is based on the childhood of Winston Simon, the 20th-century musician credited with the invention of the steel drum. The text is filled with a cacophony of musical words that are fun and challenging to read aloud. Lessac's gouache paintings pulsate with sun-drenched island colors and often resemble a folk-art quilt. A joy to read. Play calypso music and celebrate!"" -- Kirkus Reviews, starred review ""Lessac's vibrant gouache scenes in her signature folk style radiate the energy of the music and the lushness of Trinidad."" -- School Library Journal ""Great for sharing in the classroom, kids will want to read this many times over."" -- Booklist ""While it could be used straight as a story of invention or music history, it cries out for a choral performance with kids on found instruments letting cacophony merrily ring out."" -- Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books Américas Award Commended Title - Consortium of Latin American Studies Programs Best Children's Books of the Year - Bank Street College of Education CCBC Choices - Cooperative Children's Book Center (CCBC)"

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"* ""Greenwood's story is based on the childhood of Winston Simon, the 20th-century musician credited with the invention of the steel drum. The text is filled with a cacophony of musical words that are fun and challenging to read aloud. Lessac's gouache paintings pulsate with sun-drenched island colors and often resemble a folk-art quilt. A joy to read. Play calypso music and celebrate!"" -- Kirkus Reviews, starred review ""Lessac's vibrant gouache scenes in her signature folk style radiate the energy of the music and the lushness of Trinidad."" -- School Library Journal ""Great for sharing in the classroom, kids will want to read this many times over."" -- Booklist ""While it could be used straight as a story of invention or music history, it cries out for a choral performance with kids on found instruments letting cacophony merrily ring out."" -- Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books Best Children's Books of the Year, Bank Street College of Education Américas Book Award, Commended Title, Consortium of Latin American Studies Programs Choices, Cooperative Children's Book Center (CCBC)"

Author Information

"Mark Greenwood is the author of numerous children's books published in both the United States and his native Australia, several of which were created in collaboration with his wife, illustrator Fran� Lessac. Greenwood is also an accomplished drummer. His interest in world music and his frequent travels to the Caribbean led him to this story of a drummer boy based on the life of musician Winston ""Spree"" Simon. Greenwood and Lessac live in Fremantle, West Australia. Fran� Lessac has illustrated more than thirty-five books for young readers, several of which she has also written. Born in New Jersey, Lessac later lived on the island of Montserrat. Her time there inspired her to create many stories with Caribbean settings and themes. Working on Drummer Boy of John John gave Lessac an opportunity to visit the Caribbean again and research her illustrations. She currently lives in Fremantle, West Australia, with her husband, author Mark Greenwood."

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