The Loudest, Fastest, Best Drummer in Kansas - Hardcover

Maggie was born to drum. She went ``pum-pa, pum-pa, pum-pa'' on her pediatricians stethoscope and ``plup-a-plup-plan'' on the bars on her crib. When she gets her first real drum and declares her intention to be the loudest and fastest drummer in the state, no one doubts her. And they are indulgent of the aftershocks: her drumming is so intense and vibrant, she curdles the milk and shrivels the onions, she buckles the sidewalk and cracks windows, and eventually raises the Mayors ire. From now on, drumming is against the law, he fumes. But when Maggie beats back an attack of killer wasps with a fierce drum roll, the mayor relents, only to declare her instrument unwelcome once again when he can stand her drumming no longer. All is quiet until a tornado hits town and Maggie unleashes her arsenal of drum beats to spin the twister to oblivion, save the mayors goose (he had been swept up in the wind), and save the town. A slap-happy blend of hijinks, preposterousness, and snappy language keep Davols (The Paper Dragon, 1997, etc.) book afloat, and a twangy and spirited reading will add immeasurably to its sheer foolishness, since it's real tall-tale material. Smiths (Bedtime!, 1999, etc.) uproarious, cartoony illustrations work well with the storys high, wild energy. Good fun all around. (Picture book. 5-9) -- Copyright ©2000, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.

Davol (The Paper Dragon) finds a happy beat with this boisterous story of a girl driven to drum. Maggie, the pride of Serena, Kansas, was born a drummer--her doctor ascribes her predetermined vocation to the Fourth of July parade, led by the Kansas Drum and Bugle Corps, that marched right past the Serena Hospital at the moment of her birth. All signs point to her calling: Maggie bangs in her crib, on her high chair and all over the house, prompting Mama's pleas: "Stop, Maggie. My aching ears!" Things get rock 'n' rolling when Maggie receives her first real drum set at age six. Her "Brumm-brumm-brammity-BRUMM, BRUMM, BRUMM" proves loud enough to sink sidewalks, shatter windows and disgruntle the mayor, who quickly outlaws drumming. But when Maggie's "music" drives away a potentially deadly tornado, the mayor and the townspeople happily proclaim her the "loudest, fastest, best drummer in the State of Kansas." Davol delivers the good fun of a tall tale, though mid-book her plot starts to meander, slowing the dramatic momentum. Smith (Nine for California) employs a creamy gouache palette for her chipper yet quaint renderings of small-town USA from days gone by. Maggie's red hair, confident grin and sporty cowboy/marching boots suggest her true spitfire nature. Ages 5-9. (Mar.)
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.