Pokko and the Drum, Matthew Forsythe
“From E.B. White Read Aloud honor artist Matthew Forsythe comes a picture book about a magical drum, an emerald forest, and the little frog who dares to make her own music.”
I am so glad I have such awesome writing partners. One of them, Claire Bobrow, pulled this out of her always-enormous stack of books and said, “read this.”
Pokko is a rockstar in both the literal and figurative sense. When Pokko’s quiet and fearful (as in, don’t be loud, the gators will get us, fearful) parents discourage her drum playing. She takes it outside and lets her inner artist express itself. And you know what? She doesn’t get eaten, she finds friends! Okay, maybe somebody gets eaten, but only for a quick minute until Pokko sets the ground rules. Long story short, Pokko is living her best life playing her music and hanging with creatures that really get her - including her parents.
Why for kids: FROGS WITH LOUD DRUMS? How cute is that? Also, carnivores who love music so much they agree to not eating their bandmates. Gorgeous colors and active illustrations.
Why for grownups: All the messages we want our kids to have — trust your instincts, be inclusive of everybody, even if they’re carnivores, and follow your passion.