The Gum on the Drum

by Barbara Gregorich, Joan Hoffman (Editor)

Start to Read! Books are the most entertaining, satisfying, and educational beginning readers you will find anywhere. The three reading levels in the series make it easy for your child to learn to read at a relaxed and enjoyable pace. Each book your child reads helps build confidence and a sense of pride.

Genres: Childrens

Paperback

First published February 1, 1984

About the author

Barbara Gregorich, who writes fiction and nonfiction for adults and for children, has in her writing career deliberately moved from one genre to another, writing about the things important in life — baseball, mystery, and social justice. Her seminal Women at Play: The Story of Women in Baseball won the SABR-MacMillan Award and laid the groundwork for other books on the subject. ​​​​​​​For her research and writings on women in baseball, Barbara Gregorich received the 2024 SABR Dorothy Seymour Mills Lifetime Achievement Award.

In 2021 City of Light published The F Words, whose story of ICE persecution of immigrants focuses on the resilience of working class teens. Exit Velocity (2024) features a young working class woman who encounters discrimination in the workplace and assault on the streets. As she fights for her rights, she is aided by a parrot from another planet.

Barbara's most recent book, Ballad of the Horse and Mule: Some Will Make It Through, is a novella-in-verse, an exciting story of a cross-country endurance horse race. This story of competition, steadfastness, and friendship appeals to all ages.

For more information about Barbara and her books, visit her blog, Much to Write About, available on GoodReads.

Reviews

[Debra]

Level 1 easy reader reinforcing the -um family.

[Karla]

But this
Great story with rhyme

Perfect for preschool


Rock on
As a mother of drummers
I just had to have this for my classroom

Classic

[Sarah]

Poor bear learns a sad lesson about the dangers of chewing gum, while playing on a drum. Sadly, he wanted to hum, and couldn't find a place to stick his gum. Hilarity ensues, as well as excellent use of word families to encourage early readers. The pictures were nice, and artsy, a far cry from some readers.

[Sherry Thornberry]

What a funny way to learn about the grapheme "um". The bear in the story gets gum on his drum. I loved the illustrations. This book was easy to read and would be good for phonemic awareness.

[Cheryl]

Bear, drummer, wants to hum. Where should he *not* put his gum? Very simple leveled reader.