Educators looking for a resource to encourage students to learn about and practice their culture may consider Drum from the Heart for their use. Ren Louie shares his childhood experience of gaining confidence singing his Nation’s songs with family encouragement and patience, along with community support. In this book, his mother gifts him with a drum and teaches him to care for it, and he learns to drum in a community group. Students will likely find Ren’s family and community setting familiar. They may also connect with his shyness towards singing in front of others. The graphic novel-quality illustrations will engage students, while the details will provide visual access to the story. This story of encouragement and culture also contains themes of confidence, generosity, and family. Teacher resources are available for purchase on the publisher’s website.

Other End Matter: Online course information, Teacher lesson plan
Images: Colour illustrations
Contributor Affiliation: Author Ren Louie (Nuu-chah-nulth), Illustrator Karlene Harvey (Tsilhqot’in and Syílx)
Bibliography: No
Index: No

Source: Books BC - Indigenous Books for Schools

Ren Louie's profile page

KARLENE HARVEY est une illustratrice autochtone (Tsilhqot’in et Syilx) résidant à Vancouver, en Colombie-Britannique. Elle a notamment illustré Joue du tambour avec ton coeur et Chaque enfant compte. Karlene est conseillère en art autochtone à l’Université de Colombie-Britannique, et quand elle ne crée pas, elle étudie la langue tsilhqot’in et écrit ses propres histoires.

KARLENE HARVEY is a Tsilhqot’in and Syilx illustrator who resides in Vancouver, British Columbia. She is the illustrator of Drum from the Heart and Every Child Matters. Karlene is an Indigenous Arts Advisor at the University of British Columbia, and when she's not making art she enjoys Tsilhqot’in language studies and writing her own stories.

Karlene Harvey's profile page

Kaitlyn Stampflee's profile page