THE FIRST DRUM I EVER HEARD

Can you remember the first drum you ever heard?

Was it a bass drum—“bump bump bump”? Or a snare: “clunk a clunk clunk”? No, and it wasn’t a timpani or a djembe, either. Preston suggests that it was something more familiar: the steady, comforting “lub dub / lub dub” of your mother’s heartbeat. A Black parent and child move through this rhyming story in a joyful, fast-paced drumming adventure. One moment, they’re pounding a bass drum in the living room; the next, the mother is onstage behind a full drum set while her child cheers from the audience. Their musical adventure continues as they beat drums while dancers whirl; later, the pair tap steel pans at a lively street festival. The thread of connection remains strong through the shifting settings, capturing both the excitement of performance and the warmth of making music together. Midway through, the narrative takes a sudden quieter turn, focusing on the beat of the mother’s heart as a baby grows and later carries that rhythm through life. The visual and tonal shift feels abrupt, but its sweet message lands: Love, music, and identity are all tied to an inner beat. Bold digital illustrations evoke colored pencil and watercolor, with vibrant colors and energetic compositions that pulse with movement. Backmatter adds interest with notes on the drums featured in the story.

A heartfelt celebration of rhythm and motherhood.