Pokko and the Drum is a new classic illustrated book

Sometimes we miss the boat. Pokko and the Drum is one of those books. Released in 2019 and having been placed in many Top 10 Children’s Books we can testify that it fully merits any praise that it received. From the fully encompassing art on the pages to the simple messaging and presentation of the story, it’s a book that any parent and child can understand and appreciate.

Pokko and the Drum is an illustrated book that’s thicker than some of its contemporaries. Don’t let the thickness of the book intimidate young readers aged four and up. It’s a great good-night book that’s short enough to read one, but had enough artwork, drama and story to read it again in case small people are extending bed time. Our eight year-old likes the book even though he thinks it’s a little babyish. For us it’s the fact that he can read the entire book by himself in one sitting that we like. Because of those two things it gives him confidence to read other books and it’s that feeling of accomplishment and pride that we’re working on with him that’s important.

Pokko is a frog. He’s a typical kid who is in the house, in this case a mushroom, making too much noise. His parents admit to making mistakes by having given things that weren’t a good idea and place the drum as one of their biggest. Pokko is practicing inside and the noise is getting to be too much for mom and dad.

Dad asks Pokko to go practice outside. He does so, but is restless and goes for a walk where it’s far too quiet. Pokko starts to beat the drum, which attracts some of the other forest creatures, who are also playing instruments. They form a parade in the forest, happily playing their instruments as they walk around. Everything is going swimmingly until Pokko’s dad does the dinner call, bringing the cavalcade animals of through their mushroom house.  But, even then the parade doesn’t do any damage, they just pick up mom and dad, carrying them on their shoulders, when they realize that their son is leading everything.

What makes Pokko and the Drum a classic? Some would say it’s the timeless art; that looks like a classic book you’ve seen before, but is fresh and energetic here.  There’s a dance between the text and the illustrations that parry one another. Some pages have full, simple text with the one opposing it being full art. Other pages have full art, except for the bottom or top eighth, leaving space for the text.  A couple of pages only have the frogs in color, but then have the text above the characters.

The story is also one that parents have done for generations. A gift has been given. That gift was a mistake for one reason or another and the child is asked to go outside. Unless there’s an active volcano or hungry dragon flying around outside this story is one that will always happen.

Pokko and the Drum is a warm, happy book that still retains a very funny sense of humor. There’s a small edge to the book that gives it just enough wink and nod so that kids won’t associate it as just another dopey fairy tale. If you have a crawler then get this book for them now and have them grow up with it.