The Little Drummer Boy

Ezra Jack Keats

Macmillan 1968

978-0140567434

This is the text version of the traditional Christmas song which tells the story of  a poor boy who wants to see the baby Jesus, but has nothing to offer that would be worthy of royalty. Or so he thinks. Originally written by the American classical music composer and teacher Katherine Kennicott Davis in 1941 and called Carol of the Drum, this version features illustrations by Ezra Jack Keats that capture the spirit of the song and the message that while Christmas is about giving it is not necessarily the biggest, brightest, store-bought that is the best.

 

This is my all-time favourite Christmas song and this is my all-time favourite rendition.