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To Be a Drum
Daddy Wes helps his children hear the rhythm of the earth. And with the rhythm begins a story of the "drum," the pulse which has moved through the African people and through time and place.
32 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1998
About the author
Evelyn Coleman
24 books31 followersEvelyn Coleman is an Edgar Award finalist. She is best known for her many books with American Girl. She lives in Atlanta, Georgia.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 102 reviews
January 9, 2020
I confess... I Youtubed this only for James Earl Jones' lovely narration.
"Be quiet and still. You'll grow to be strong if you learn to be still... His body relaxed, like when he floated on the pond. At last, he heard the earth's heartbeat."
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7BVBB...
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"Be quiet and still. You'll grow to be strong if you learn to be still... His body relaxed, like when he floated on the pond. At last, he heard the earth's heartbeat."
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7BVBB...
.
January 29, 2013
I watched/listened to a reading of this book by James Earl Jones on "Storyline Online." The story of the movement from enslavement to freedom by Africans brought to America highlights the cultural strength of the people. The drum seems to be a metaphor for the heart of the people and of the earth itself. I found the story and James Earl Jones' majestic reading powerful. However, I think that I would read the book aloud (or listen to the story without the video) first. While I loved the illustrations and the graphics and music on the video (especially the drumbeat), I thought this might be a little distracting for children on their first time reading the story and may take away from the words. However, I would definitely show the video on the second time through and discuss the graphics with the children.
February 6, 2019
Learning about cultural strength, music and history was fun! I loved the story To Be a Drum and hope we learn more about it. Have you ever wondered how drums where born? The author taught me how important the drums are in African culture.
August 29, 2018
Truly amazing! The illustrations are so beyond beautiful and detailed!
October 1, 2009
Non-Print Review from http://www.storylineonline.net/
Storyline Online To Be a Drum by Evelyn Coleman
Original Publishing info- To Be a Drum by Evelyn Coleman (Author), Aminah Brenda Lynn Robinson (Illustrator) Albert Whitman & Company (September 2000)
“As Mat and Martha sit on the ground with Daddy Wes, he tells them: "Long before time, before hours and minutes and seconds, on the continent of Africa, the rhythm of earth beat for the first people . . . . The beat moved through our bodies and pushed out from our fingers. That is how our drum was born." In the pages that follow, Daddy Wes relates the history of African Americans, mentioning slavery, handiwork, song, soldiering, invention, civil rights battles, arts, and literature, all spoken of in terms of the drumbeat of the people, the heartbeat of the earth itself. Daddy Wes urges his children, and ultimately the reader, to hear that heartbeat and become their own drums, beating out their own rhythms. An unusual combination of history, exhortation, and tactile images, the text offers a dramatic read-aloud opportunity, given the right teller's voice. The art, too, combines many elements (paint, vintage fabric, cotton fibers, clay, buttons) to create a vibrant, eclectic series of scenes. An original.” Carolyn Phelan Booklist Review
I found a fantastic reading of "To Be a Drum" by Evelyn Coleman on http://www.storylineonline.net/. The reading is done by James Earl Jones. He intros the story by talking about how he did not talk as a child, and he was a stutterer and had dyslexia. This is a great story to be heard in this medium, because of the music and drum beats that are added. It gives rhythm to the story that helps to really feel the story told by “Daddy Wes” of the Africans who feel the “rhythm of the earth”. It then goes on to tell how white men, who didn’t listen to the rhythm of the drum, took the Africans in to slavery, but how they continued to drum in the fields with their speech, with their bodies, as they quilted, as they fought in war, as they fought for their rights, as they made their art and wrote their stories. It tells the story of the African-Americans and how they are the “living drums”. The story tells of how you too can be free if you become a drum. This is a gorgeous story and with the voice of James Earl Jones and the music, the story is brought to life in the screen. I highly recommend this story to ages 5-9, depending on how it is used. I think older children could understand it more, in a deeper way. I would read this story to my first graders, near the end of the year, and we could have a thorough conversation about what it means. This would be a great story to integrate the arts, as well.
Storyline Online To Be a Drum by Evelyn Coleman
Original Publishing info- To Be a Drum by Evelyn Coleman (Author), Aminah Brenda Lynn Robinson (Illustrator) Albert Whitman & Company (September 2000)
“As Mat and Martha sit on the ground with Daddy Wes, he tells them: "Long before time, before hours and minutes and seconds, on the continent of Africa, the rhythm of earth beat for the first people . . . . The beat moved through our bodies and pushed out from our fingers. That is how our drum was born." In the pages that follow, Daddy Wes relates the history of African Americans, mentioning slavery, handiwork, song, soldiering, invention, civil rights battles, arts, and literature, all spoken of in terms of the drumbeat of the people, the heartbeat of the earth itself. Daddy Wes urges his children, and ultimately the reader, to hear that heartbeat and become their own drums, beating out their own rhythms. An unusual combination of history, exhortation, and tactile images, the text offers a dramatic read-aloud opportunity, given the right teller's voice. The art, too, combines many elements (paint, vintage fabric, cotton fibers, clay, buttons) to create a vibrant, eclectic series of scenes. An original.” Carolyn Phelan Booklist Review
I found a fantastic reading of "To Be a Drum" by Evelyn Coleman on http://www.storylineonline.net/. The reading is done by James Earl Jones. He intros the story by talking about how he did not talk as a child, and he was a stutterer and had dyslexia. This is a great story to be heard in this medium, because of the music and drum beats that are added. It gives rhythm to the story that helps to really feel the story told by “Daddy Wes” of the Africans who feel the “rhythm of the earth”. It then goes on to tell how white men, who didn’t listen to the rhythm of the drum, took the Africans in to slavery, but how they continued to drum in the fields with their speech, with their bodies, as they quilted, as they fought in war, as they fought for their rights, as they made their art and wrote their stories. It tells the story of the African-Americans and how they are the “living drums”. The story tells of how you too can be free if you become a drum. This is a gorgeous story and with the voice of James Earl Jones and the music, the story is brought to life in the screen. I highly recommend this story to ages 5-9, depending on how it is used. I think older children could understand it more, in a deeper way. I would read this story to my first graders, near the end of the year, and we could have a thorough conversation about what it means. This would be a great story to integrate the arts, as well.
February 26, 2010
To Be a Drum by Evelyn Coleman is a picture book intended for readers in kindergarten through grade three. I gave it four stars. “We were the Earth’s people. We were the living drums. We would always be free.” Colemans’s moving story takes the reader on the journey of the African people, from when they were free in their homeland and their voices were drums and spoke to people and the animals, to when they were chained in slavery and their feet, singing mouths, quilting hands, and courageous wars were drums and wouldn’t be silenced, to when they gained their freedom and their dreams, stories, communities, and minds were drums, speaking their rhythm to the world. The illustrations are brightly colored and collage-like, giving the reader a sense of all of the different and unique pieces and parts of African heritage. The theme of expressing oneself always, no matter what may happen, is hopeful and uplifting. “You too can be free,” concludes Coleman, “Become a drum.”
I listened to this story on a website: www.storylineonline.net. The narrator was James Earl Jones, whose strong and powerful, yet gentle, voice really gave the reader a feel for the strength and perseverance of the African heritage and culture through history. African beats drummed in the background, perfectly complementing the theme and content of the book. The words scrolled across the bottom as the colorful illustrations lit up the page, perfectly complementing each other. Overall, this audio-visual experience really brought me to Africa and led me on a journey as a reader, from the tribes of Africa to the prominence of African Americans in today’s society. Truly an inspirational and influential story about always speaking out, always being true to yourself, always expressing yourself proudly so the world knows who you are.
I listened to this story on a website: www.storylineonline.net. The narrator was James Earl Jones, whose strong and powerful, yet gentle, voice really gave the reader a feel for the strength and perseverance of the African heritage and culture through history. African beats drummed in the background, perfectly complementing the theme and content of the book. The words scrolled across the bottom as the colorful illustrations lit up the page, perfectly complementing each other. Overall, this audio-visual experience really brought me to Africa and led me on a journey as a reader, from the tribes of Africa to the prominence of African Americans in today’s society. Truly an inspirational and influential story about always speaking out, always being true to yourself, always expressing yourself proudly so the world knows who you are.
May 4, 2012
The story begins very serenely and uses very descriptive words to describe Daddy Wes’ voice and the effect it had on his children.
Daddy Wes retells the tale about the first beat of the drums and the rhythm of the earth in Africa and how it was enjoyed by the earth’s people and how the beat made them all feel alive.
The story then diverts and adopts a different tone when men from other continents came to Africa and would not listen to the rhythm of the earth and were unable to hear it. These men shackled and transported the people – tearing them apart from one another and forcing them not to speak their language. The final blow was having their drums taken away.
Though met with adversity, the slaves became the drums and continued the beat for the world to see and hear - through that they were free whilst in the fields working.
The story runs through history, charting the continuation of the drumming in spirit through adversity during slavery, the fight for civil rights, the arts and modern day.
The story ends with Daddy Wes asking the children if they can hear the drumming and whilst laying on the ground, the children concentrate and are finally able to do so. Daddy Wes imparts to his children how to beat out their own paths.
I thought this story would be a simple story about a drum and was surprised to find the context of it relating to slavery, war and the civil rights movement. It was interesting how such sensitive topics were approached and relayed with the undertone of perseverance and feeling at one with the earth or ones roots.
The illustrations within the book were really good. Bright vibrant colours, fabric, buttons and even clay were all incorporated in the art, which added to the feel of going back in history.
I would ideally read this book to children in year 4 or 5, maybe incorporate it during Black History Month.
Daddy Wes retells the tale about the first beat of the drums and the rhythm of the earth in Africa and how it was enjoyed by the earth’s people and how the beat made them all feel alive.
The story then diverts and adopts a different tone when men from other continents came to Africa and would not listen to the rhythm of the earth and were unable to hear it. These men shackled and transported the people – tearing them apart from one another and forcing them not to speak their language. The final blow was having their drums taken away.
Though met with adversity, the slaves became the drums and continued the beat for the world to see and hear - through that they were free whilst in the fields working.
The story runs through history, charting the continuation of the drumming in spirit through adversity during slavery, the fight for civil rights, the arts and modern day.
The story ends with Daddy Wes asking the children if they can hear the drumming and whilst laying on the ground, the children concentrate and are finally able to do so. Daddy Wes imparts to his children how to beat out their own paths.
I thought this story would be a simple story about a drum and was surprised to find the context of it relating to slavery, war and the civil rights movement. It was interesting how such sensitive topics were approached and relayed with the undertone of perseverance and feeling at one with the earth or ones roots.
The illustrations within the book were really good. Bright vibrant colours, fabric, buttons and even clay were all incorporated in the art, which added to the feel of going back in history.
I would ideally read this book to children in year 4 or 5, maybe incorporate it during Black History Month.
January 25, 2011
This book is a great because it can be categorized many different ways, making it relateable to many different types of students. It is good for students interested in music because it incorporates the beat of the drum. In addition, it is a good history lesson, because it discusses slavery and the hardships that those people had to endure. At the same time, it is peaceful because it reminds us that through all of the stress and hard times that we have to deal with each day, it is vital to find an inner peace and relax. Read this to students at hard points throughout the semester so that they remember to breathe and come back to a peaceful place.
July 1, 2012
Great read! Perfect book to read for younger children on a thematic unit on slavery and African American history. This book can also be accessed on Storylineonline.net; James Earl Jones does a great job bringing the story to life, and the animated pictures grasp the children's attention.
February 27, 2015
Not too bad. I found this on storylineonline.org and it was read by James Earl Jones.
April 29, 2020
I think To Be a Drum could be classified as a folklore text because it's a heritage story told by a father, Daddy Wes, to his children (generation to generation). Daddy Wes is an African American. In this book, he tells the story of where his ancestors came from. They were the first people -- the people through whom the rhythm of the Earth beat. He tells of the African slave trade, slavery in America, the civil war, civil rights, and the strides African Americans have made in freedom, innovation, and the arts despite the oppression they faced. Throughout each feat, they were examples of the Earth's heartbeat; they were Earth's drums.
I think this book would be wonderful in a younger elementary classroom (K-1), but is rich enough in meaning and depth that upper elementary students would enjoy it as well. I would use this book as a read aloud or mentor text. As a read aloud, this book could be used in a similarities and differences unit. Younger children would benefit from this book as a window to experiences unlike theirs, but also as a mirror as they recognize that they have a heartbeat too. This book could also be a read aloud in a civil rights unit. As a mentor text, this would be a wonderful example of descriptive language, metaphor, and symbolism. Students could explore text structure and discuss the deeper meanings that the author hoped to communicate.
Daddy Wes said, "Cruelty could not stop the Earth's heart from beating." This quote highlights why this was a wow book for me. It reminded me of humanity and the same heartbeat we all share as members of the human race. It made my heart hurt at the tragedy that racism is and my heart soar at the courage and strength that people of African descent have faced. The picture were beautiful, too.
I think this book would be wonderful in a younger elementary classroom (K-1), but is rich enough in meaning and depth that upper elementary students would enjoy it as well. I would use this book as a read aloud or mentor text. As a read aloud, this book could be used in a similarities and differences unit. Younger children would benefit from this book as a window to experiences unlike theirs, but also as a mirror as they recognize that they have a heartbeat too. This book could also be a read aloud in a civil rights unit. As a mentor text, this would be a wonderful example of descriptive language, metaphor, and symbolism. Students could explore text structure and discuss the deeper meanings that the author hoped to communicate.
Daddy Wes said, "Cruelty could not stop the Earth's heart from beating." This quote highlights why this was a wow book for me. It reminded me of humanity and the same heartbeat we all share as members of the human race. It made my heart hurt at the tragedy that racism is and my heart soar at the courage and strength that people of African descent have faced. The picture were beautiful, too.
August 24, 2017
My son (5 1/2) listened to this story on Storyline Online, a fantastic website we discovered this summer through his school district's "Kindergarten Jumpstart" online program. This story was read by James Earl Jones (who prefaced it with a short speech about how he learned to read early but didn't read aloud until he was a teenager because he stuttered and had a bit of dyslexia, which I never knew!).
It's a brief story that uses the drum beat as a metaphor for self confidence and empowerment, specifically the empowerment of people of African descent as they left their homeland, were enslaved, and fought for civil rights. The book doesn't beat you over the head with its message (no pun intended), but the main idea is clear. I'm glad this was a part of my son's summer curriculum, which has thus far been fairly multicultural.
The Storyline Online version is particularly good, as African drum beats accompany the story. My son loves music so as soon as the story ended he said to me, "We have to listen to this one again!"
It's a brief story that uses the drum beat as a metaphor for self confidence and empowerment, specifically the empowerment of people of African descent as they left their homeland, were enslaved, and fought for civil rights. The book doesn't beat you over the head with its message (no pun intended), but the main idea is clear. I'm glad this was a part of my son's summer curriculum, which has thus far been fairly multicultural.
The Storyline Online version is particularly good, as African drum beats accompany the story. My son loves music so as soon as the story ended he said to me, "We have to listen to this one again!"
November 18, 2019
The story of an African American father telling his children the story of their racial ancestors. The story's art is whimsical and varied in a way that is really interesting to see. As the story progresses and tells about many of the experiences that African people have gone through in history, including the slave trade and the civil rights movement, and the development of African American culture, the art illustrates the story in a way that keeps readers engaged and invested in the story. The book would be a great option for a classroom read. Teachers could use it as a great introduction to lessons on these events and the effects they had on African culture, or how African cultures changed and were adapted into modern African American culture as the people carrying them experienced many different barriers and threats to their ways of life that had to be worked around.
May 13, 2022
The book provides an excellent insight to African culture. It explains the significance of the drum's beating in their culture. The story then goes on to explain the history of how Africans were forced into slavery. Their owners would not allow the drums because they were slaves, however they made their own regardless of how hard the people attempted to take them away. The drum represents the people's journey to freedom; unlike a beating drum, they never gave up or stopped.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 6, 2025
Ear read 2025 (7 Mins, prolly will be the shortest book i get through this year, as I don't think I'll read another kids book)
6.7/10 I wanted to hear James Earl Jones' voice for a little bit and this narration sufficed.
A story about finding your beat, based on the history of a people where significant cultural identity and relationships and lives were stripped away from them. The pictures shown were colourful and expressive but not i style i prefer. The art did their job though so all good :)
6.7/10 I wanted to hear James Earl Jones' voice for a little bit and this narration sufficed.
A story about finding your beat, based on the history of a people where significant cultural identity and relationships and lives were stripped away from them. The pictures shown were colourful and expressive but not i style i prefer. The art did their job though so all good :)
September 14, 2019
An absolutely amazing story of the African American culture told through poetic prose and musical allegory. I definitely recommend this book to be listened on the Storyline Online YouTube channel, as it's read by James Earl Jones; without a doubt, one of the most powerful and beautiful reading experiences I have ever had.
August 21, 2020
Wow! Goosebumps! I listened/watched a reading of this story read by James Earl Jones. What a majestic voice to read such a powerful story. I am definitely adding this to the reading list for my classes.
February 28, 2026
To Be a Drum (Paperback)
by Evelyn Coleman
Read by James Earl Jones, for Storyline online. Wow that interested the kids. The book shows how slavery and hardship can change you, but that resilience is still present and your heart is a drum. The pictures are magical and very detailed.
by Evelyn Coleman
Read by James Earl Jones, for Storyline online. Wow that interested the kids. The book shows how slavery and hardship can change you, but that resilience is still present and your heart is a drum. The pictures are magical and very detailed.
May 25, 2018
Beautiful pictures by Columbus’s Amiyah Robinson. Haunting tale to read to young ones.
Read
June 22, 2019A poetic, imaginative and beautifully illustrated story of Black resilience
April 22, 2020
Published in 1998 but it was great to listen and watch today!
https://www.storylineonline.net/books...
https://www.storylineonline.net/books...
December 18, 2020
A powerful read by James Earl Jones on Storyline Online: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7BVBB.... The perfect reader for an important book.
July 14, 2021
Watched it being read on stroylineonline.net with my niece. Such a beautiful story. The artwork is incredible. Adults, read it.
March 4, 2022
Our school read this book for part of our March Madness reading bracket. While there was great information in the book the kids were not that interested.
June 21, 2024
This was read by James Earl Jones on Storyline Online, which added to the story from my perspective. This is a story of heritage. I highly recommend this for everyone, young and old.
September 27, 2009
To Be A Drum by Evelyn Colemen is a wonderful story that celebrates the African American Culture. It is about a father who tells his children about their ancestors. He starts at the beginning of time and described how the earth first beat for his people. The earth's beat was turned into their own heart beats and transpired into everything that they did. It gives a complete history of African Americans including slavery and their contributions as of today.
I really enjoyed this story. I listened and watched it on the computer from a website called Storyline online. It was read by a famous African American actor who worked hard to bring the book to life. They took the pictures form the book and put bits on animation in them. The animation only came into play during meaningful parts of the story that the author wanted to emphasize. It would be a great book to read to your students during African American History Month. It not only gives a child appropriate view point on the history of African Americans, it also talks about perseverance and how to always stay true to yourself. It would also be a good book to tie into a family traditions unit because the "drum" symbolizes how throughout time the African people are still very close to their roots.
I really enjoyed this story. I listened and watched it on the computer from a website called Storyline online. It was read by a famous African American actor who worked hard to bring the book to life. They took the pictures form the book and put bits on animation in them. The animation only came into play during meaningful parts of the story that the author wanted to emphasize. It would be a great book to read to your students during African American History Month. It not only gives a child appropriate view point on the history of African Americans, it also talks about perseverance and how to always stay true to yourself. It would also be a good book to tie into a family traditions unit because the "drum" symbolizes how throughout time the African people are still very close to their roots.
April 30, 2014
This book is about Daddy Wes telling the story of their ancestor history to his two children, Mat and Martha. Daddy Wes explained where their culture and traditions originated from, Africa. They were full of life and music. They were one with the earth. Until white men came to their land. They were abusive and enslaved them. They took them to America where they were no longer able to speak with their own kind. But the beat of the drum were still in each of them. They would use their mouths, feet, heart, and mind as their new drums. The drum lived in them through everything they went through. Fighting for freedom, civil rights, jobs, equality, etc. I believe this book is very accurate for I have studied this exact topic in one of my history classes. This book gave as much details and explanations necessary to give to a elementary student. I would definitely read this book to my students, especially when we're discussing about the history of slaves.
April 9, 2011
I would love to read this book to students when they begin to delve into civil rights and learning the history of it. It provides a different insight into slavery as it speaks more about the "positives" of what a people did do to make it through. I would love to do a unit on what music meant to slaves and how they used to better themselves. I want students to know that no matter what people try to do to you, there's just some things they cannot take away from you. And I love the last line of this book of just being still, this is something I want my students to get, but I think that this is something that everyone needs to be reminded of from time to time.
June 17, 2010
This book was introduced to me by our professor and I enjoyed it! It helps with imagination skills and has rhythm as well. This book can help with developing children's Critical Literacy Skills as they may question events in the book,reflect, and search for answers within themselves.
To Be A Drum also can be used in helping to develop children's Phonemic Awareness as it can be read in the dark (listened to on CD, online, etc.)Doing this allows you to listen to the sounds of words and also discriminate among them.
To Be A Drum also can be used in helping to develop children's Phonemic Awareness as it can be read in the dark (listened to on CD, online, etc.)Doing this allows you to listen to the sounds of words and also discriminate among them.
October 15, 2015
Mat and Martha listen to their Daddy Wes tell the story of being a drum. Daddy Wes tells his children that being a drum is the heart beat to the earth. He explains how the drum symbolizes their culture and African roots. This book discusses slavery, war, and the civil rights movements. This is a wonderful book to have in a classroom. The illustrations are colorful and creative. The book teaches about history through a story that a father is telling. Children will learn from this book while being entertained at the same time.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 102 reviews