Everything a Drum

Centering a child who turns “our world into a drum,” the creators of this picture book deliver a simple, interactive celebration of rhythmic sound and familial love. “Tink! Tink! Tink!... Fwat! Fwat! Fwat!... thrum, thrum, thrum”—from a dog bowl to a feather pillow to a parent’s heartbeat, a home burgeons with musical possibilities. On each page, a light-brown-skinned child approaches household mainstays with percussive intent, while two adults—one shown with brown skin, one with pink skin—wrangle the fallout (spattered prunes, a frightened cat) as well as smile and snuggle with the youth. Each spread features drum sounds for readers to imitate, while Warren’s steady verse, written from the adults’ point of view, suits itself to hand-clapping or toe-tapping. Carrossine’s textural, scribbly-style illustrations depict an expressive family whose faces radiate joy, making this an inviting endorsement of creative, musical play. Ages 3–5. (Mar.)