Review: Drummer Hoff
Caldecott Award winning Drummer Hoff was adapted from a folk song by Barbara Emberley and illustrated by Ed Emberley. It’s really quite short, but *very* colorful and I had almost forgotten about it until I ran across it at work the other day. You see, in first grade we did a little play based on this book..and *I* was the only one who had a line. Yes, I was very proud of this. And it would seem that I still am. *sheepish grin* This is yet another classic book that I can’t believe I haven’t reviewed here yet. Told in a cumulative fashion (after each new event is mentioned, it is added to a list that is re-read, just like “I know an old lady who swallowed a fly.”) seven soldiers put together a cannon and fire it off. That’s about it really. It’s quite fun to read aloud, as the rhymes really roll off of the tongue. I’m not too sure what modern children will think about this book, though. I guess I’ll just have to ask some. Emberley’s woodcuts are beautiful to look at, the poetry of the story appeals to the ear, and I remember having a great deal of fun acting out the story in school (I called “Fire,” then we all said “Kaboom” and fell down). I still enjoy this book it turns out. Has anyone else read it? What did you think?
Caldecott Award, Drummer Hoff, Barbara Emberley, Ed Emberley
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