The Wooden Drum
by Vivaliatama Elesoni Talagi
In a traditional Samoan village, the old wooden drum has many voices. Every Sunday morning it beats to call the people to church. It also beats when someone has died, and a different beat announces feast time, or prayer time. When the old drum becomes old and damaged, it is replaced with a new shiny bell, but it was just not the same as that old wooden drum. This is a story about tradition and the workings of a Pacific Island community. This book was recommended for the collection because it shows the importance of Samoan tradition: “It’s important for Pacific children to know where their roots are and to have a better understanding and appreciation of their heritage.”
A New Zealand Curriculum-linked activity for this picture book can be found here.