Marlene Bennetts
Ill. Trish Bowles
Emjay Publishing
32 pages, paperback
ISBN 978 0 473 37300 9
At
a time when Christmas books seem to involve greedy children and farting
reindeer, it is a real pleasure to come across a book, The Little Drummer Boy, that has the celebration
of Christ’s birthday as a central theme.
Young
Liam is feeling homesick and isolated. He is living with his Aunt Cheryl and
Uncle Ron on their farm, because his mother and new-born brother are still in
hospital. The approach of Christmas adds to his worries; Liam wants to be home
for Christmas because “It’s nearly time to decorate our tree. Dad always lifts
me up so I can put the angel on the top.”
Aunt
Cheryl tries to cheer Liam up by playing her CD of The Little Drummer Boy so
Liam can march around singing, “Pa rum pum pum pum.” She then has Liam’s
teacher offer him the part of the Little Drummer Boy in the Christmas Eve
nativity play in the church. This kind action backfires. Liam is close to tears
because he realises he won’t be home for Christmas.
Uncle
Ron takes Liam out to select a Christmas tree, and he is the one who lifts Liam
up to put an angel on the top. Liam continues to pray for his mother and
brother and in a wonderful ending, his prayers are answered. His parents arrive
with his new brother. “Was Jesus this tiny?” asks Liam. They also have a gift
for Liam – a drum, which he duly uses in his performance as the Little Drummer
Boy. Liam is delighted with everything and remembers to thank Jesus before he
goes to sleep.
“Thank
you, Jesus, for hearing my prayers, even when I talk loud or quiet.”
Trish
Bowles has often collaborated with Marlene Bennetts in creating picture books.
Her colour illustrations are skilfully matched to the story, adding to the
appeal of Liam’s quest to have his family together for Christmas. The picture
of Liam being reunited with his family is particularly charming. (It is also
nice to see that Liam sometimes wears odd socks.)
This
is a lovely picture book for everyone who cares about the real meaning of
Christmas.
[The
official launch of this book was held at South Library, 66 Colombo St,
Beckenham, on Thursday 27 October 2016 at 10.30am, with Hon. Ruth Dyson MP doing the honours.]
Trevor
Agnew
October
2016
No comments:
Post a Comment