The Lion's Drum

Hosted by Joyla Gregory, the main feature of this world culture program is the titular West African folktale, an iconographic-animated adaptation of the 2007 picture book, narrated by author Steven Gregory and illustrated with crayons by Claudia Obata. Boasting a toe-tapping soundtrack, the story revolves around a great young hunter named Ajani, who comes upon a grand lion beating a tree stump—providing the music for dancing jungle animals. Enthralled, Ajani is so late getting home that the other villagers are not only engaged in premature mourning, but they also doubt his fanciful story…until the next day, when Ajani retraces his steps, steals the drum from the sleeping creatures, and shows off the instrument, which—of course—the community immediately loves. Besides the animated short, The Lion's Drum also shares real-life lion facts (lions can grow up to 600 pounds and travel at speeds of 40 mph) and features live-action demonstrations by Senegal drummer Papa Malick Faye (including the sabar drum style of using one hand and one stick) and Ghana dancer Akayaa Atule (who boogies to the tune “Yaayiwawah”). Fast-paced, entertaining, and informative, this inexpensive title is highly recommended. Aud: K, E, P. (J. Williams-Wood)