The Heartbeat Drum - by Deidre Havrelock (Hardcover)

About the Book

"nisãohkisinãan (We are strong) . . . ninikamonãan (We are singing) . . . mãina nika-ãahkamãeyimonãan (And we will continue) . . . Whenever young Carol sang along to her family's music, her heart felt light and full of joy. Learning from her grandfather, Moshum, Carol listened closely to the drums' heartbeat until one day, Moshum made her a drum of her very own. As Carol grew up, she passed down her songs to her children, grandchildren, and many women in her community, just as Moshum taught her-even as women and children became increasingly excluded from sitting at the drum. Despite those who disapproved, she formed her own drumming group called Chubby Cree. Today, Carol and her group share their music to advocate at climate events, to honor residential school survivors at special ceremonies, and to spread healing for anyone who needs it. Powerfully written and joyfully illustrated, The Heartbeat Drum is a radiant celebration of preserving Indigenous traditions, finding your voice, and speaking out"--

Book Synopsis

Author Deidre Havrelock's and illustrator Aphelandra's The Heartbeat Drum is an uplifting picture book biography of a Cree activist and musician who founded an Indigenous hand drumming group, led by women and children, that spreads joy, healing, and unity

nisôhkisinân (We are strong) . . .
ninikamonân (We are singing) . . .
mîna nika-âhkamêyimonân (And we will continue) . . .

Whenever young Carol Powder sang along to her family's music, her heart felt light and full of joy. Learning from her grandfather, Moshum, Carol listened closely to the drums' heartbeat until one day Moshum made her a drum of her very own.

As Carol grew up, she passed down her songs to her children, grandchildren, and many women in her community, just as Moshum taught her--even as women and children became increasingly excluded from sitting at the drum. Despite those who disapproved, she formed her own drumming group called Chubby Cree.

Today, Carol and her group share their music to advocate at climate events, to honor residential school survivors at special ceremonies, and to spread healing for anyone who needs it. Empowering and joyfully illustrated, The Heartbeat Drum is a radiant celebration of preserving Indigenous traditions, finding your voice, and speaking out.

Includes both an author's note and illustrator's note, as well as a personal note from Carol Powder herself.

Review Quotes

***STARRED REVIEW***
"[B]eautiful and striking...A wonderful volume that gives insight into the powerful source of joy and intention; Powder's dedication to her teachings extends into the next generations with every turn of the page."-- "School Library Journal"

***STARRED REVIEW***
"[B]rilliantly illustrated...Cree words are strung throughout the radiant illustrations...Stunning and empowering."
-- "Kirkus Reviews"

"[A] simple, yet profound story of music, change, legacy, and activism. Straightforward prose and engaging dialogue between grandfather and granddaughter make this an approachable and meaningful story for young readers..."-- "The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books"

"Havrelock's (Saddle Lake Cree Nation) text reads smoothly, successfully conveying the feelings that drummers such as Powder experience... Cree drum lyrics complement the story's tone... a welcome Indigenous biography."-- "Booklist"

About the Author

Deidre Havrelock is a member of Saddle Lake Cree Nation in Alberta, Canada. She was raised in Edmonton, Alberta, and is the author of Why We Dance: A Story of Hope and Healing, Buffalo Wild!, and Indigenous Ingenuity: A Celebration of Traditional North American Knowledge, coauthored with Edward Kay. She lives in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, on Treaty 6 Territory and the Homeland of the Métis, with her family. Aphelandra is a designer, illustrator, and bookworm who has been drawing ever since she can remember. Her passion for visual storytelling led her to work in the fields of greeting cards and children's books. As a descendant of the Oneida Nation of Wisconsin, Aphelandra is especially proud to use her art to help tell the stories of Indigenous people.