Drummer Boy of John John Hardcover – Picture Book, October 1, 2012

This was a great book to use during my unit on Trinidad and Tobago in music class. Lots of different talking points.

Well-written book with lovely, vibrant illustrations. I am a music teacher, and I used this book in a 2nd grade unit on calypso music. My students loved it, and they remembered the information about the invention of the steel pan long after the end of the unit.

It’s nice to see books about West Indian culture. I used this for a multicultural book study for elementary school students.

Wow, if there was ever a children's book that cried out for an audio recording, it's this one! This vibrantly illustrated book tells the story of a little boy getting ready for Carnival in Trinidad by trying to make his own drums out of things he finds in the junkyard, and was inspired by the life of Winston "Spree" Simon, one of the pioneers of the Caribbean steel drum. The pictures and words almost sing right off the page, but I would love to hear an audio recording with the sounds of the steel drum in the background while the author (or a narrator) tells the story of island music, Carnival celebrations, delicious roti and, of course, steel drums. As soon as I read this with Magda I immediately looked up videos of steel drums to show her!Disclaimer: I received a digital galley of this book free from the publisher from NetGalley. I was not obliged to write a favourable review, or even any review at all. The opinions expressed are strictly my own.

The illustrations in this book inspired by real events capture the excitement of Carnival. Words added to the pages help to further illustrate the various sounds that can be created by different drums. Learn new words and phrases by visiting the glossary in the back. There is also a brief biography of the late Winston "Spree" Simon, who is the real-life inspiration for this book.By simply tossing a mango pit in a junkyard, Winston realizes that nontraditional items can make for some awesome instruments. His fellow villagers quickly join in the fun and a new tradition is born. Kids will love reading this book and then looking for their own ways of making new instruments from everyday materials. It is also a fun look at a different culture that could inspire a Carnival within the classroom or at home. It's a great addition to a classroom or home library.I received a complimentary eARC in exchange for my honest review.

Winston lives in the Caribbean. It's almost time for Carnival. The sound of Calypso music will be floating through the air as friends and families whistle and hum while making costumes and decorating masks. The Roti King has announced that the best band in the parade will get all the rotis for free. Winston loves rotis, a delicious pancake filled with chicken, herbs and spices. Winston would love to win free rotis but he doesn't have a band. Upon a hill under a mango tree, Winston tosses a pit towards an old junk yard filled with old cans and buckets. Pong, ping, pang! Soon, Winston is booming and banging on the old cans to find just the right sound. His friends gather around and they realize they could become a band and win the rotis. It's a race for time to get done painting and decorating to be ready to march and play at Carnival.Greenwood has put together a wonderful story of Winston "Spree" Simon, the creator of the steel drum. Winston was honored into the Trinidad All Stars Percussion Orchestra and toured in London. Readers will enjoy the story of Winston's life from the time he was a young boy. Bright and whimsical illustrations invite readers to share in the colorful world of Trinidad and the Carnival celebration. A glossary in the back pages shares all of the unique terms used throughout the book.

Winston wanted to win the roti by having the best band at the carnival, but he didn't have any instruments. Then, he bounced a mango pit into the junk yard and heard all kinds of musical sounds from tins, cans, pots, and pans. Winston hammered, drummed and got his friends to join his band.A special picture book is one that a child will want to read and read again. This is one of those books. The language is fun, the pictures are bright and colorful and the story is charming. There is a glossary and pronunciation guide for the Caribbean words used in the book. The author includes notes about Winston Simon one of the first people to play the steel drums who inspired the story.As a teacher I can find so many uses for this book, onomatopoeia, study of musical instruments, study of the Caribbean Islands, study of types of music, even the study of recycling the things around you. As a parent this is a book that you will enjoy reading with your child. This book deserves many different readings.