Pokko and the Drum
Delicate, detailed illustrations pair with humour and a gentle message about the joy and power of music in this picture book by award-winning author and illustrator Matthew Forsythe. A story about a family of frogs discovering the magical quality of music and its ability to bring people together, “Pokko and the Drum” will engage primary students as they follow Pokko’s adventure through the forest. In a primary classroom, as a read-aloud, the story’s plot may invite discussion and critical thinking about the themes of individuality, leadership, determination, and perseverance. Teachers may also use the story to help students create connections to familiar fairy tales or to inspire explorations of artistic techniques such as colour and the usage of various mediums.