Drum Dream Girl: How One Girl's Courage Changed Music

Reviewed by: Shannon Schinagl - Maine State Library, Augusta, Central Maine Library District

Review Date: July 8, 2015

Review

Though this picture book is fiction, it is based on the real figure of Millo Castro Zaldarriaga, the first female drummer in Cuba. Told in verse, the story follows the "drum dream girl" and her dreams of playing the drums. Told by everyone that drums are only for boys, she continues to dream and practice. Her father eventually allows a drum teacher to evaluate her ability and, stunned, the teacher recognizes her talent. Off she goes!

The lyrical style of the free verse is lovely and adds to the feeling of the rhythm of the drums. Though the tale is clearly a "girl power" book, the story remains calm. There are no revolutions here; instead, the drum dream girl succeeds because of the interest and understanding of a few key people in her life.

The book contains an historical note briefly telling the real story of Millo Castro Zaldarriaga, who became such a famous drummer that she ended up playing for FDR's birthday ("enthusiastically cheered" on by Eleanor Roosevelt -- one feminist to another!).

In addition, it should be noted that the drum dream girl is Chinese-African-Cuban.

Lopez's gorgeous, colorful illustrations are perfect for the book. The illustrations seamlessly meld reality and dream sequences. Nodding to the Chinese-African-Cuban heritage of the heroine, Lopez shows her watching and dreaming at both Carnival and Chinese New Year.

In a lovely, final illustration Lopez slips in an image that I hope readers notice. As the author writes "...and both girls and boys should feel free to dream," Lopez illustrates a boy sitting on a cloud with a sketch pad and pencil, watching and drawing (the reader assumes)the drum dream girl play her drums while people dance. In addition, the Man in the Moon peers over the boy's shoulder at his drawing.

This book is important in so many ways. In addition to simply being a wonderful book, it highlights: mixed heritage and various cultures (dominated by Cuban culture), girl power, perseverance, music, poetry, and art.

Overall Book Score: excellent