In the Time of the Drums - Softcover

Siegelson, Kim L

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1620143097 ISBN 13: 9781620143094

Publisher: Lee & Low Books, 2016

Synopsis

It used to be that huge ships often landed near Teakettle Creek bringing African people to work on the island's plantations. Some of the Africans who live on the island made goatskin drums and play music to remind themselves of home. Young Mentu was island born, but grandmother Twi had come from Africa, and she longs for home. Thanks to Twi, Mentu learns to play the drums and to respect the strength of the music.

One day a new ship carrying Africans docked at Teakettle Creek sends out the beat of drums--a roar from the Africans inside the ship who are pounding for their homeland. The beat calls to Twi, urging her to seek freedom. But the only place for freedom is in the murky waters of Teakettle Creek. Now Grandmother Twi must choose between the drum's lure and the island that young Mentu calls home.

The recipient of the Coretta Scott King Illustrator Award in 2000, this spellbinding story is now back in print. In the Time of the Drums is an extraordinary Gullah tale of mysticism, intrigue, strength, and courage that will leave readers of all ages spellbound.

About this title

Review

"Although In the Time of the Drums' is full of slavery s unhappy history, it is a fine example of a genre paradoxically remarkable for the comfort and sustenance it delivers. Brian Pinkney s gentle and luminous scratchboard illustrations provide subtly intelligent counterpoint to the text. On one page, for example, Mentu, who is big enough to carry two buckets of water, complains about the burden; Twi insists that he do so as practice for what is coming when he is an adult. Yet Pinkney s illustration shows Twi carrying two buckets of water while Mentu carries only one. It is a perfect representation of one of the complex necessities of African-American life: the verbal chiding as public warning; the practice, unspoken, made kinder. It is that breath of kindness that lingers in the wake of this book Grandmother Twi s love for her grandson, Mentu, a love he in turn passes on to his children and they to theirs. Above all, and despite all, a currency of hope." --The New York Times Book Review "The New York Times Book Review "

"Although In the Time of the Drums' is full of slavery's unhappy history, it is a fine example of a genre paradoxically remarkable for the comfort and sustenance it delivers. Brian Pinkney's gentle and luminous scratchboard illustrations provide subtly intelligent counterpoint to the text. On one page, for example, Mentu, who is big enough to carry two buckets of water, complains about the burden; Twi insists that he do so as practice for what is coming when he is an adult. Yet Pinkney's illustration shows Twi carrying two buckets of water while Mentu carries only one. It is a perfect representation of one of the complex necessities of African-American life: the verbal chiding as public warning; the practice, unspoken, made kinder. It is that breath of kindness that lingers in the wake of this book--Grandmother Twi's love for her grandson, Mentu, a love he in turn passes on to his children and they to theirs. Above all, and despite all, a currency of hope."

--The New York Times Book Review "The New York Times Book Review "

-Although In the Time of the Drums' is full of slavery's unhappy history, it is a fine example of a genre paradoxically remarkable for the comfort and sustenance it delivers. Brian Pinkney's gentle and luminous scratchboard illustrations provide subtly intelligent counterpoint to the text. On one page, for example, Mentu, who is big enough to carry two buckets of water, complains about the burden; Twi insists that he do so as practice for what is coming when he is an adult. Yet Pinkney's illustration shows Twi carrying two buckets of water while Mentu carries only one. It is a perfect representation of one of the complex necessities of African-American life: the verbal chiding as public warning; the practice, unspoken, made kinder. It is that breath of kindness that lingers in the wake of this book--Grandmother Twi's love for her grandson, Mentu, a love he in turn passes on to his children and they to theirs. Above all, and despite all, a currency of hope.-

--The New York Times Book Review -The New York Times Book Review -

About the Author

KIM L. SIEGELSON is the author of several picture books, as well as a popular speaker at conferences, writing workshops, and school visits. She grew up hearing the unforgettable account of Africans walking into the water near Georgia's Sapelo Island, and this story becamethe inspiration for In the Time of the Drums. Siegelson lives with her family in Atlanta, Georgia.

BRIAN PINKNEY is the acclaimed illustrator of numerous award-winning books. In addition to the Coretta Scott King Illustrator Award for In the Time of the Drums, he has been honored with two Caldecott Medal Honors, four Coretta Scott King Illustrator Award Honors, and the Boston Globe/Horn Book Award. Pinkney lives in Brooklyn, New York, with his wife and frequentcollaborator, Andrea Davis Pinkney, and their two children.

About this edition

• Publisher: Lee & Low Books
• Publication date: 2016
• ISBN 10: 1620143097
• ISBN 13: 9781620143094
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 32
• Illustrator: Pinkney Brian