This color-illustrated version of the Christmas carol about the procession to Bethlehem and the offer of a poor boy to play his drum for the Christ Child includes music for the song at the back of the book. ...A procession travels to Bethlehem, bringing gifts for the newborn baby Jesus. The little drummer boy comes along, although he is too poor to bring a present fit for a king. Instead, he plays a song on his drum for the Christ Child. Within the little drummer boy's seemingly simple gift lies the true spirit of Christmas. Ezra Jack Keats' vivid, jewel-toned artwork perfectly illustrates this classic holiday carol. Music for the song appears at the back of the book. Keats evocatively portrays this story. -Publishers Weekly
Keats, Ezra Jack Ezra Jack Keats (1916-1983) grew up in Brooklyn and spent most of his life in New York City. Given in his honor since 1986, the Ezra Jack Keats New Writer and Illustrator awards recognize the most promising newcomers whose books reflect the tradition of Ezra Jack Keats.