A pair of Christmas tree ornaments set out on the merry adventure of a lifetime in this imaginative picture book about the inner lives of holiday decorations.
All is quiet in the forest as the Great Star rises in the distance, and two little musicians, Strum and Drum, wake up from a deep slumber and set out to make the most joyous music they can! But as Strum strums his guitar and Drum drums her drum on their way to the North, some mysterious obstacles fill their paths . . . flickering lanterns, bubbles of glass, a silver waterfall, a tiny house, dangerous animals . . . and a wooden man with a toothy grin warns them of a beast with green eyes lying in wait. For this is no ordinary forest — it's a Christmas tree, on Christmas Eve, and Strum, Drum and all their new friends are ornaments! But when the green-eyed beast strikes and sends them tumbling out of the “forest,” Strum and Drum’s quest to reach the Great Star seems doomed . . . until a little boy setting out milk and cookies for Santa spots them.
"This clever Christmas tale uses two distinct drawing styles to shift perspective. The surprising ending will have readers returning for a second, or even third, look." —School Library Journal
"[A] dreamy, candy-colored world in which adventure and danger lurk . . . that will have readers quickly flipping back to the book’s beginning to launch the journey with fresh eyes.” —Publishers Weekly
"Awan’s enchanting, stylized illustrations are effectively varied, heightening the little drama. . . . Don’t worry, Strum and Drum reach the Great Star, where they make music from on high." —The Horn Book
"[A] cheerful Christmas tale that will bring a smile to young readers." —Seattle Book Review
JASHAR AWAN is a celebrated author-illustrator whose picture books include include Geisel Honor Book Towed by Toad, Every Monday Mabel, which has garnered five starred reviews, Strum & Drum: A Merry Little Quest, Only Ants for Andy, What a Lucky Day! and I'm Going to Build a Snowman, an ALA Notable Children's Book of 2024 and a JLG Gold Standard Selection. In December 2020, he was profiled by Publishers Weekly in their "Fall 2020 Flying Starts" as one of the most promising children's debut authors. A longtime New Yorker, Jashar now lives in Ohio with his wife and son.
View titles by Jashar Awan
A pair of Christmas tree ornaments set out on the merry adventure of a lifetime in this imaginative picture book about the inner lives of holiday decorations.
All is quiet in the forest as the Great Star rises in the distance, and two little musicians, Strum and Drum, wake up from a deep slumber and set out to make the most joyous music they can! But as Strum strums his guitar and Drum drums her drum on their way to the North, some mysterious obstacles fill their paths . . . flickering lanterns, bubbles of glass, a silver waterfall, a tiny house, dangerous animals . . . and a wooden man with a toothy grin warns them of a beast with green eyes lying in wait. For this is no ordinary forest — it's a Christmas tree, on Christmas Eve, and Strum, Drum and all their new friends are ornaments! But when the green-eyed beast strikes and sends them tumbling out of the “forest,” Strum and Drum’s quest to reach the Great Star seems doomed . . . until a little boy setting out milk and cookies for Santa spots them.
Praise
"This clever Christmas tale uses two distinct drawing styles to shift perspective. The surprising ending will have readers returning for a second, or even third, look." —School Library Journal
"[A] dreamy, candy-colored world in which adventure and danger lurk . . . that will have readers quickly flipping back to the book’s beginning to launch the journey with fresh eyes.” —Publishers Weekly
"Awan’s enchanting, stylized illustrations are effectively varied, heightening the little drama. . . . Don’t worry, Strum and Drum reach the Great Star, where they make music from on high." —The Horn Book
"[A] cheerful Christmas tale that will bring a smile to young readers." —Seattle Book Review
Author
JASHAR AWAN is a celebrated author-illustrator whose picture books include include Geisel Honor Book Towed by Toad, Every Monday Mabel, which has garnered five starred reviews, Strum & Drum: A Merry Little Quest, Only Ants for Andy, What a Lucky Day! and I'm Going to Build a Snowman, an ALA Notable Children's Book of 2024 and a JLG Gold Standard Selection. In December 2020, he was profiled by Publishers Weekly in their "Fall 2020 Flying Starts" as one of the most promising children's debut authors. A longtime New Yorker, Jashar now lives in Ohio with his wife and son.
View titles by Jashar Awan
