Loren Long's Drummer Boy Perseveres on a Perilous Journey

One of the most beloved stories in the Christmas canon is The Little Drummer Boy, a tale that has spawned many similar stories about those who have little to give but are rewarded for their humble offerings. I tend to place stories under the category of this song, though it wasn’t the first of its kind. An early example is The Clown of God, a centuries-old French tale, and far earlier still is the Biblical account of the widow’s mite. Nonetheless, when I encounter this type of tale, my first thought is “Drummer Boy”.

When I saw the title Drummer Boy, I figured that this picture book by Loren Long was simply a direct adaptation of The Little Drummer Boy. But a glance at the cover revealed that this story would be a little different. The “boy” in question is a toy, a stalwart little toy drummer with a red coat, blue pants, black shoes, a blue and yellow hat, silver buttons, yellow epaulets, a black belt and, of course, a little green and yellow drum. He’s a snazzy-looking toy, and he sounds even better than he looks, or so we are given to understand by the reactions others have to him.

In this tender story, the titular drummer is the beloved possession of a young boy. One day, he is accidentally tossed in the trash and winds up at the garbage dump, the first step in a long journey that will allow him to spread his song all over the city. In some ways, this reminds me of Toy Story, though the drummer handles his predicament with far more grace than Woody.

He’s all alone, but wherever he goes, he earns the respect of strangers who are mesmerized by his music. A rat hears the gentle beat and ceases its snarling. The soft tapping lulls hungry owl chicks to sleep. He plays for audiences big and small, at one point treating the city at large to his march as he stands atop a bell tower. Throughout his entire ordeal, he is content, cheerfully sharing beauty with whoever is willing to listen.

Drummer Boy is the first book that Long wrote, though he previously illustrated others. While the story is wonderfully sweet, it’s the soft acrylic paintings that really capture the imagination, with expansive two-page spreads capturing the beauty of the winter landscape and close-ups on faces transfigured by the drummer boy’s profoundly moving solo. This is not a retelling of that classic song, but Long does not neglect the birth of Christ; the book gently concludes with the drummer performing yet again, this time in a Nativity set.

Drummer Boy isn’t quite the story I expected, but it is thoroughly endearing, one of the most charming Christmas books I’ve encountered in the last couple of years. Invite this little fellow into your home, and I predict that you too will be enchanted.

Ezra Jack Keats Lovingly Illustrates The Little Drummer Boy

I've read many Christmas books inspired by The Little Drummer Boy, the tender song about the poor but earnest lad who is stuck for a gift to give the newborn Jesus until he hits upon the idea of presenting Him with an impromptu concert, complete with animal accompaniment. This mid-sized board book of the same title uses the text of the song by Katherine Davis, Henry Onorati and Harry Simeone, and it works just as well as any of the spin-offs because, short as it is, the little drummer boy's tale is a self-contained story.

What makes the book unique is the artwork by acclaimed illustrator Ezra Jack Keats. The paintings have a smudgy, mystical quality about them, featuring sandy expanses lit by moody skies. The focal point is the young boy, who trots along with his drum, a tall, handsome instrument strapped around his shoulder. The barefoot boy doesn't seem to mind his poverty except for the momentary concern that he will not have anything for the Christ child. As he plays, one imagines that the birds who steadfastly follow him sing along, and his face reflects the exuberance of their joyful noise.

Animals seem naturally drawn to this young chap, as most dramatically illustrated in a two-page spread in which he and a host of creature companions - a cow, sheep, birds, rabbits and a goat - march along, silhouetted in sepia tones against a striking sunset. The book is the perfect size for little hands, with pages sturdy enough to withstand a lot of abuse. While there is no recording of the song included, this is not a hard carol to get ahold of, and for musically inclined parents, sheet music is printed in the back for a family sing-along at the piano.

This is a story of wonder and empowerment that brings the Nativity to a child's-eye level. "Let the little children come," Jesus said. This boy, hearing the call before the words were spoken, responds with reverence, making excellent use of the abilities he has been given. The Little Drummer Boy is an outstanding presentation of an inspiring story.