From School Library Journal
Grade 1-4-This recently discovered work by the renowned African-American artist is not to be missed. It is the story of Li'l Dan, a slave on the Hollis plantation, who listens nightly to Mr. Ned play his drum from faraway Africa. As he learns more, he makes his own drum, practicing all of the sounds he hears. When black Union soldiers tell him that he's free, he follows them. A short time later, he uses his drum to save his new friends from enemy attack and is congratulated by General Sherman. Although the story is worthy in its own right, the 21 mixed-media paintings are the outstanding element here. With rich colors and bold black outlines, the dramatic art shows the influence of abstract expressionism. Brilliant blue Union uniforms and dark skin stand out against the white spaces, and text and art are in perfect balance. Beginning letters on many pages also reflect the illustrations in color, shape, and style. The simplicity of primary colors and abstract figures express so much more than the text alone. There is no doubt about Dan's intensity as he listens to the sounds of the woods and taps out the song with his fingertips. Li'l Dan is small-seemingly insignificant against the large soldiers in their striking uniforms. Yet his strength and self-assurance fill the page when he confidently strikes out the cannon fire. On the accompanying CD, Maya Angelou's mellow voice and easy pace complement this beautiful, creative work.-Carolyn Janssen, Children's Learning Center of the Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County, OH
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.
From AudioFile
After a hard day of working cotton on the Hollis plantation, Li'l Dan, whose parents were sold when he was very young, sits and listens to Mr. Ned play the drum that came from Africa. Li'l Dan finds the drumming so wonderful that he makes a drum for himself and learns to imitate the sounds around him. When the plantation is liberated by a troop of African-American Union soldiers, Dan is too con-fused to do anything but follow them. He becomes their mascot and, in the climax of the story, uses his drum to frighten away Confederate cavalry by imitating the sound of cannon fire. Renowned African-American artist Romare Bearden uses this simple, poignant story as the lynchpin for a won-derful series of mixed-media paintings, completed in 1983. Fluid lines drenched with color invite the reader to discover the emotion within the book. Young readers will be well served by the accompanying CD in which Maya Angelou's signature voice provides the perfect measured narration of Bearden's story, allowing children the opportunity to fully immerse them-selves in his art. S.G. © AudioFile 2005, Portland, Maine--
Copyright © AudioFile, Portland, Maine
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