About This Book
This Caldecott Medal-winning picture book by Barbara and Ed Emberley presents a classic cumulative folk tale about a group of soldiers constructing a cannon. With a rhythmic, rhyming text and vibrant woodcut illustrations, the story builds suspense as each soldier contributes a piece, culminating in Drummer Hoff firing the "Sultan." While seemingly a simple tale of military action, the book's final image of the cannon rusting amidst wildflowers subtly introduces themes of peace and nature's reclamation, sparking potential discussions about war and its aftermath. It's a fantastic read-aloud for ages 3-7, celebrated for its artistic merit and engaging structure.
A cumulative folk song in which seven soldiers build a magnificent cannon, but Drummer Hoff fires it off.
war_themes
peril_danger
Discussion Prompts
1
What do you think happened after Drummer Hoff fired the cannon?
2
How did the last picture make you feel about the cannon?
3
Why do you think the author chose to show the cannon rusting with flowers at the end?
4
What are some things that people build together?
5
What does "KAHBAHBLOOM" sound like to you?
External Reviews
Awards
1 award
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