In the Time of the Drums

by Kim L. Siegelson, Brian Pinkney (Illustrator)

In the long ago time before now . . . live oaks trembled with the sound of drums and, say some, it was a time when people could walk beneath the water. . . .

It used to be that ships as big as barns would land at the dock near Teakettle Creek---slave ships bringing African people to work on plantations. Some of the Africans who lived on the island made goatskin drums to remind themselves of home, where they wished to return. Young Mentu had never known Africa. He was an island-born boy. But Grandmother Tiwi, she had Africa in her blood---she longer for home. Thanks to Tiwi's teachings, Mentu has learned to play the drums, has learned to respect the strength of their music. When a slave ship carrying Africans docks at Teakettle Creek, sending out the beat of drums---a roar coming from the Africans inside the ship who are pounding for their homeland---the beat calls to Tiwi, urging her to seek freedom. But the only place freedom lies is in the murky waters of Teakettle Creek. Now Tiwi must chose between the drum's lure and the island young Mentu calls home.

Caldecott Honor medalist Brian Pinkney pairs with master storyteller Kim Siegelson to present an extraordinary Gullah tale of mysticism, intrigue, and courage. In the Time of the Drums will leave readers spellbound.

-from the inside jacket flap

Genres: Picture Books, History, Cultural, Childrens, Family, African American, Folk Tales

32 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1999

Reviews

[Taneka]

"...long hard work had broken them. Made memories of Africa sink so far back in their minds that they could no longer be reached."

Grandma Twi is ready to go back home. Brought to the America's from Africa to work as a slave, she raised Mentu to be strong. Strong enough to not let the new land take Africa away from him. When a ship arrives in Teakettle Creek filled with Africans from her home, she knows it is time to go. Together, with their African magic, they allow the waters that carried them to the foreign land, to carry them back home. But only Grandma Twi can go, Mentu cannot.

"Water won't take you. You was born here. Won't take the others' cause they've forgot too much."

Now it is up to Mentu to be strong and pass on those African traditions that Grandma Twi taught him, to his children and their children and their childrens' children and so on.

I have heard this story told in many different ways. It still touches my heart with every retelling.

[Kayla Davis]

This is a story about a Grandmother, Twi, and her beloved grandson, Mentu. Twi is a slave who was taken from her native Africa when she was just a young woman, however unlike the other slaves, she has not forgotten her roots or the magic she has learned, and strives to teach all she knows to young Mentu. When a ship full of slaves arrives at their Island and refuses to get off the ship chanting they want to go home, Twi seizes the opportunity and bids goodbye to boy Mentu, leaving her charm bag around his neck as a keepsake. Using her root magic, Twi transforms into the image of the woman she was when she was taken from Africa and leads the people into the water chanting, until their chains break off and they disappear. Remembering his Grandmother’s words, Mentu is determined not to forget Africa through all Twi has taught him. When he grows up he teaches his children the stories and the beating of the drum just as Twi had taught him and through him Africa lives on. The illustrations in the book appear to be painted and done in scratchboard. The color blue is used a lot throughout the book, likely foreshadowing the important role water will play in the climax of the story. There is a softness and boy-like element in the illustrations of young Mentu, and a wisdom that seems to exist in the creases and wrinkles of the face of his Grandmother. Ultimately, this illustrates the theme of their relationship and the theme of the book, which is the passing of heritage from one generation to another. This would be a good book to teach about slavery and African beliefs, as well as about generations passing things on. After reading the book, students might think about something that has been passed down in their family and write about it.

Siegleson, K. L. (1999). In the Time of Drums. Illus. B. Pinkney. New York, NY: Hyperion Books.

[Melody]

"Your time to be strong-strong Will come when your back is bent in the field and your hands are stuck full of cotton Spurs. Because then the old ways will try to grow weak inside you. Don't let them! Takes a mighty strength not to forget who you are. Where you come from. To help others remember it, too."

I enjoyed reading this with my son!!! Beautiful story.

[Lindsay Caton]

This story is set in a slave village along the marshlands. We follow a boy, Mentu, who is growing up in the village being raised by his grandmother Twi. Twi was brought over form a village in Africa and is known by the people to have magic. She teaches Mentu her secrets which are her secret songs and her drumming. She tells him he needs to prepare to be strong-strong one day. One day a slave ship comes to the village. Mentu hears the drumming and can feel the people speaking though the sound. His grandmother goes to the ship. As she is running to the ship, she is made to look young again. Once she gets to the ship, she leads the Ibo people out into the water. The ropes of the overseers are unable to stay around the slave’s necks. Mentu believes she led them all the way back to their home in Africa. He continues to keep his grandmother’s secrets by teaching them to his own children who teach them to their children, and the story continues to be told even to this day well beyond the time of slaves.
The Illustrations in this book are stunning. I was especially moved by the pictures of young Twi leading her people into the water. Seeing the action of them choosing freedom in death over slavery was incredibly powerful. I do not know if children will fully grasp the power of these images, but hopefully they can be used to start the conversation.
This is a great book when teaching students about different cultures and what things have different meanings. For example, in this story we see the use of the drums and how they are part of the story. The drums mean something to the Ibo people. We also see similar things in Native American culture. This book is a great learning tool for the looking at importance of what may seem like not important things in different cultures.

[Linda]

It's wonderful to discover another book illustrated by Brian Pinkney! Kim L. Siegelson tells the loving but heartbreaking Gullah tale evidently found told in a variety of places on shores in the south. Young Mentu, island-born, lives with his grandmother, Twi, born in Africa, bringing all her knowledge of songs and drums and basket-weaving with her, then teaching Mentu, especially drumming. A slave ship arrives on shore with Igbo people in chains beating out the rhythm of the home they wish to return to. Twi is called to join them, those who refuse to move on shore, but they, and Twi, instead choose the waters of Teakettle Creek. Young Mentu must say goodbye. There is more of what Mentu learns from Twi, and he carries on, "strong-strong", along with all his beloved grandmother taught him. The book states, "Islanders call that place Ibo's Landing." They never fished again, fearful of pulling up chains sunk in the mud.
The author's note shares that many communities tell this tale that has been passed down from generation to generation. The note about Brian Pinkney tells that he used some of his own private drum collection as models for the drums depicted in his gorgeous illustrations. He, too, is a drummer!

[Barbara]

Considered by the locals to be an Ibo conjure woman, Twi shares the stories of her people with her grandson Mentu. As she rears him, he grows up hearing stories that inspire him and help him draw strength, which he will need to help him survive his enslavement. When it is finally time for Twi to leave and return to Africa, she takes with her many other men and women but not Mentu who must stay behind to help others. This story is powerful and inspiring, and the colorful scratchboard art painted with dyes and acrylics is memorable, capturing the emotions of the characters and the beauty of the land in which they are laboring. A note from the author explains the origin of her tale, connecting it to the Gullah people in Georgia and South Carolina. This is a poignant yet lovely story, reminding readers of the losses suffered by so many during the times of slavery. It is impossible to imagine how hard it be to go on after so many hardships. Small wonder that some men and women took comfort in the notion that some slaves could eventually return to their homelands by walking beneath the ocean's waters.

[Jordynn]

A grandmother, named Twi, and her grandson, named Mentu, both live on a small island. They were very close and Twi always liked to tell Mentu old tales about Africa and why its important. One day at Teakettle Creek a boat shows up with a bunch of African Americans shouting they want to go back home. Not knowing what this means to Mentu, Twi knows what must be done. Twi needs to go back with them, but before leaving passing down her charm bag to Mentu and being on her way back home. Mentu doesn’t understand at first, but knows he has to keep the tradition going and telling stories of Africa to his children and grandchildren. This book has all the literacy elements and what I liked about it the most was the illustrations that were created with scratchboard. I think this is a great example to show younger kids about the effect of slavery and the mystical stories behind it. For example, in the book the waters opening up for all the African Americans to walk underneath the ocean to get back home and transforming into your younger self.

[Jordan]

In the Time of the Drums is a book about a young boy named Mentu with a wise grandmother named Twi. They live on an island that allows them to be free from slavery, however slaves are still brought to Teakettle Creek by ship. Mentu never lived in Africa, but through song and stories from his grandmother he knew that the slaves arriving were not home, and so did his grandma Twi. Like magic Twi becomes young again and takes the slaves with her back home to Africa. Brian Pinkney illustrates this scene beautifully with various shades of blue and green for the ocean water, and grandma Twi leading the slaves back home to Africa. This book would be good for children of African linage to learn more about their history.

[Prachi]

Thus far this is my favorite book out of my whole stack! It is written based on an oral legend amongst slaves in Georgia and South Carolina. Menthu was born in captivity, his grandmother was captured from Africa but she practiced root magic and taught Menthu about her life in Africa. As a slave ship came near, the slaves on it thought they were taken back home due to the drumming of the island people. Grandmother leads them back to their homeland using magic. She leads them into the sea never to be seen again. I like that this book is based off some truth. I also enjoyed the illustrations, they were unique.

[Elisapeta Oto-Tupai]

It's a beautiful book about a grandmother and her grandson. She told her stories about her homeland and why she left to come to America. Even sadder because she sacrificed her love for her grandson to help others in despair. Every beat of the drum brings back memories of her home back so vividly and in descriptive details to help him understand his African roots and what his future holds for him.

[Gabrielle]

This is an amazing story about African American slaves. It really shows the heartbreak these people went through. In the story Twi never forgot her heritage. She wanted to teach the younger generation. This story would be a good book to read to upper elementary or middle school students when they are learning about different cultures or even slavery. The illustrations are really cool in this picture. You can really tell the expressions/emotions through the illustrations.

[Maeve]

Mentu and Twi are two enslaved people in America. Although Mentu was born in the States, Twi remembers living in Africa and teaches him some of the songs and customs that she knows. She still remembers the magic that she used in Ibo. When a ship full of slaves from Ibo arrive, Twi uses her magic to free them and take them back to Africa through the water. Mentu always remembered her, and the songs that she taught him.

[Ellie]

An absolutely phenomenal story that people so often forget and therefore don't acknowledge. I read this with my 5th and 6th graders and they thought it was pure magic that people can communicate through drums, and reading it with them nearly moved me to tears. So much historical significance here. It's heartbreaking in its history and its relevence today. Such an important story!

[Helen Ladson]

Before it was known as Ibo Landing it was referred to as Teakettle Creek on St. Simons Island, Georgia! What a wonderful discovery to find a book that is about a place that I love sooooo much! This book sent chills down my spine as it gave the account of what happened on Ibo Landing! I absolutely LOVED this book!

[Sunny]

This book recounts a popular folktale about the Ibo, Gullah or Geechee Islanders by way of intergenerational rearing. The elder conjure woman teaches a young boy about her ancestral homeland and instills in him the importance of passing down the stories to stay connected to his kin for generations to come.

[Zhariya Davis]

First Thought: A tearjerker! I thought it was going to be a story of a young boy learning how to play the drums, but I was wrong. This a book based off truth of the African American slaves. A great read for a music class to explain how music is a form of communication, but also a good read overall. It would be great for teachers to read this to 5th and 6th graders as the themes are a bit heavy.

[Kaitlin Niedert]

This multicultural book is about a little boy and his grandma who live on an island. These characters are African Americans who talk about their struggles with slavery and the want of going back to their home land, Africa. This is a great book and would be for upper elementary.

[Mary Louise Sanchez]

A very powerful legend about the supernatural powers of a grandmother brought to America as a slave from Africa and her influence on her grandson to pursue freedom at all cost. The cost is extreme and adults should read the book before sharing it.

The illustrations add so much to the story.

[Joanna Pingel]

This book tells a story about how a boys family who was relocated from Africa to a new land to work as slaves. The boys grandmother throughout the book teaches the boy of their culture and about their African home. Now they long for their home and freedom.

[Edward Sullivan]

A stunningly illustrated picture book representation of an oral Gullah legend passed down for generations.

[Lara Lleverino]

Wonderfully illustrated beautifully written story handed down through oral tradition through the slaves of the sea islands of Georgia and South Carolina.

[Stephen]

I’ve never thought of connection to Africa this way before. I really appreciated his grandmother’s spirit!

[Gabriel]

good amazing

[Gina]

Interesting story, but not completely satisfying.

[Lindsay Paige]

Read for school.

[Berenise]

This Coretta Scott King winner can be used to introduce children to the topic of African American slavery. More specifically, it introduces children to slave trade. This beautifully illustrated book retells an old Gullah legend. Mentu, a young slave boy, and his grandmother, Twi, live on an island off the coast of Georgia. As they look out to the hard working slaves on the fields, Twi feels it is time to tell Mentu of the hardships that native Africans have faced since slavery began. The poetic and lyrical lines of the book allow the reader to experience the rhythm of African story telling used by Twi. One day Mentu and Twi hear a drumming coming from the island. It is the Island people drumming to announce the arrival of a ship. Twi reminds Mentu that the time when he has to become “strong, strong” is a approaching him.

The illustrations of the book really make the story come to life. The painting style has a unique African art feel that ties in with the lyrical format of the story. This helps children learn about slavery as it is remembered by a people of Africa in a traditional way. It contains historical content written a way that children can understand. This story can be enjoyable for children to read by themselves or can make a great story when read out loud.

[Emily Moog]

In the Time of the Drums is a story much like a legend, passed down from generation to generation among African Americans. Mentu, a young boy born into slavery, learned every day from his grandmother Twi about life as a slave and what was to come later in life. She promised him that a day would come to be strong, but did not tell him when that day would be. One day, Twi left Mentu to lead a group of Africans who had been brought to their village as slaves back to their homeland. Her legacy lives on in the legend told through generations. Brian Pinkney, illustrator of In the Time of the Drums, used brush strokes of paint to show the detailed story of Mentu and Twi. He brought life to the legend through movement of the brush and lines. Each page showed ways in which Mentu grew either physically or emotionally through the teachings of his grandmother. Though the story is a legend and foreign to America, it is not useless to the classroom. Reading this to students would enhance their understanding of different cultures. I would use this book in a lesson about tales and legends. I would read legends told in America that students would be familiar with and then continue to read other legends to them from other countries to help them comprehend other forms of art and humanities.

[Tara]

It wasn't long ago that I read and reviewed this but I don't keep up with dates.
Anyway, maybe if I was a child, this would have moved me or made me think as the inside jacket of this book says that it's beautiful words and artwork will get you to do.
But I think for sure that if I were in the first grade, this book wouldn't move me. I'd have to be younger than that and hear this book and then just maybe it would stick to my ribs a few weeks.
I'm an older girl. In my lifetime, though it's been a short lifetime, I have seen lots about slavery. I watched movies about slave ship journeys, been taught things in classes about my african-american heritage and seen plenty in books and on the news and so forth. I cannot be excited by a book like this. I'm too mature.
I'll tell you what I don't like. Why does the grandmother have to turn into a young woman when she gets into the water and drowns with the other slaves? Couldn't she just stay an old lady and drown?
I don't like it because I'm curious about the significance of making her young again. What does that mean?

[Amanda Herman]

This picture book is a representation of a Gullah tale that is through to be a memory or short legend and has been passed down from generation to generation. The Gullah are the descendants of enslaved Africans who lived in the low country regions of Georgia and South Carolina, which includes both the coastal plain and the Sea Islands. The story follows Mentu, a boy born into slavery in America. Mentu spends time with his grandmother, Twi, an old African lady who tells him stories, teaches him songs and how to play the drum of her homeland. One day, when a new ship full of slaves are brought to their island home, Twi magically transforms into a younger version of herself and calls to the slaves to follow her into the ocean because she will take them home. Mentu believed that Twi led the slaves back to Africa by walking along the bottom of the ocean while everyone else believed that they all drowned and the water there will always be salty because of their tears. The back of the book includes and author’s note that describes the origins of the story and the Gullah people.

[Ch_nataliepelaia]

This touching and emotional story is a picture book based on an oral account passed down through generations of slaves near the Sea Islands of Georgia and South Carolina. It is told from the perspective of a slave boy living in America who is raised by an older woman who is African born. The story brings out the sadness of the slave trades and even how they were packed together in a bottom of a ship. It also brings out the strength and the deep heritage of their African culture, such as the playing of the drums and the music. Reading this book made me feel sad but at the same time I was amazed at the strength and the love the character longed for, Africa. A Coretta Scott King Award winner for non-violent social change.
This book again, is very touching. I enjoyed the story, but at the same time I felt the ending was a little depressing which might be the only part in the story that wouldn't be appropriate for young children?