Royal Drum: An Ashanti Tale [Hardcover]

Mary Dixon Lake (Author), Carol O'Malia (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 1996 | Age Level: 5 and up | Grade Level: K and up

A read-aloud rebus treasure from the Ashanti in Ghana. Who is the laziest animal of all? All the animals gather together to help make a drum for the king of the jungle. Full color.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Kindergarten-Grade 2-In this Anansi story from the Ashanti people of Ghana (no specific source is given), the animals of the jungle decide to make a drum for Lion the king so that he can gather everyone together quickly. Each creature except Monkey helps. When the heavy finished product needs to be carried to the palace, Anansi the spider suggests that the laziest animal should do it; hence, Monkey is obliged to participate after all. This is a rebus story; a key to the 10 scratchboard characters appears at the beginning of the book. Each page of text is faced by a framed oil painting of lush, Rousseau-like jungle scenes. The atmosphere and character of the tale is enriched by sound words. When Anansi steps up, he goes "pip-pip-pip-pip...;" the sound of the termites hollowing out the drum is "chun, chun, chat-wa chat-wa...;" and the finished drum goes "kra-ka-ka-hi, kee-yop, kee-yop..." This makes the book particularly good to read aloud, but it could also be attractive to beginning readers who will be encouraged by the small pictures sprinkled liberally throughout the text.
Carolyn Jenks, First Parish Unitarian Church, Portland, ME
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From the Author

The Royal Drum was as much fun to write as it is to read. It easily lends itself to audience participation with its silly sound words. Bring out your own drum and enjoy the drummer in
you! --This text refers to an alternate Hardcover edition.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 5 and up
  
• Hardcover: 24 pages
• Publisher: Mondo Pub (September 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1572551402
• ISBN-13: 978-1572551404
• Product Dimensions: 10.5 x 8.7 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #966,995 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Mary Dixon Lake is a LITERACY teacher in the New York City public schools. She began a love affair with the written word in junior high school and started writing poems in her journal. Coming from a southern background but born and raised in the suburbs of New York, she learned to mix the flavors of both in her books. She confesses that writing literature for children was pure "happenstance" that turned into true passion. She loves to write picture books for the elementary school reader. Her books thus far include: I Love Bugs, My Circus Family, The Royal Drum (An Ashanti Tale), Miss Geneva's Lantern, Juicy Peach and Pop Pop and Grandpa. Besides writing, she loves reading, music, dancing and learning American Sign Language. Mary is a wife, mother of two and still continues to write. "I am a true New Yorker and love the city and all it has to offer. Besides my own life and family, what better place to find inspiration for stories. I just open my eyes and look around me."

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars A Wonderful tale, January 28, 2010

By 

Bronxgal "BxG" (Bronx, NY) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Royal Drum: An Ashanti Tale (Hardcover)

This a wonderful story and it is beautifully illutsrated. The story has a great lessson and the pictures are lush and rich. If you like Mufaro's Beautiful Daughters, then you'll probably like this.