Pokko and the Drum

By Matthew Forsythe,

Book cover of Pokko and the Drum

Book description

A Publishers Weekly Best Book of 2019
A Today Show Best Book of the Year
A Booklist Book for Youth Editors' Choice 2019
A Boston Globe-Horn Picture Book Honor Book 2020
An NPR Favorite Book of 2019
A Charlotte Zolotow Honor Book
A Quill & Quire 2019 Book for Young…

Shepherd is reader supported. When you buy books, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Why read it?

2 authors picked Pokko and the Drum as one of their favorite books. Why do they recommend it?

Pokko’s parents give her a drum and soon regret it, as you might imagine. (In my own book, Mom says, “don’t even think about a drum kit.”) But sending Pokko outside begins a beautiful symphonic journey that turns Pokko into a leader who makes sure her bandmates don’t eat each other. In the end, even her parents are swept away (literally) by the beautiful music.

I knew I would love this book from the moment I saw the cover. It’s a charming, hilarious, and slightly dark tale about this little frog named Pokko as she marches to the beat of her own drum – a drum that her parents gifted her and quickly deemed it to be their biggest mistake! This extraordinary determined little frog proceeded to walk alone through the forest, face down a hungry wolf, and lead a large marching band! From beginning to the end, I enjoyed the story, the humor, and the pacing. The illustrations are dazzlingly gorgeous and make me…

Want books like Pokko and the Drum?

Our community of 11,000+ authors has personally recommended 100 books like Pokko and the Drum.

Browse books like Pokko and the Drum

5 book lists we think you will like!

Interested in wildlife, musicians, and frogs?

Wildlife 42 books
Musicians 51 books
Frogs 38 books