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  • Kohkom's First Drum by Monique Gray Smith book cover
  • Kohkom's First Drum by Monique Gray Smith book cover
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Kohkom's First Drum

by Monique Gray Smith

A family story carried by song and drum

$20.98 USD
$34.97 USD $20.98 USD
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AlbakiReads Editorial

A family story carried by song and drum

Charlie’s school-day joy in Indigenous drum circle opens a conversation with his Kohkom about her first drum and the history that shaped her connection to Cree identity. The account touches on the Sixties Scoop, separation from family, and the long process of finding a sense of belonging. Charlie responds by offering to teach his Kohkom a song, bringing their shared interest in drumming into the present. The story connects a child’s everyday school experience with family history and Indigenous cultural practice, while introducing difficult historical subject matter through an intergenerational exchange.

Good fit for readers who enjoy

  • Children ages 4–8 encountering stories about family and cultural connection.
  • Young readers interested in Indigenous life stories, music, and drumming.
  • Families and educators seeking a picture-book starting point for conversations about the Sixties Scoop and residential schools.

Themes

Cree identity and belongingIntergenerational family connectionIndigenous drumming and songThe Sixties Scoop and residential schools

Based on publisher information and book metadata.

Book overview

When Charlie's Kohkom asks him what the best part of his school day was, he knows right away: Indigenous drum circle!

Kohkom tells him that not very long ago she was gifted her very first drum at a ceremony for children who never returned home from residential schools. But Charlie doesn't understand. How could she only have gotten her first drum so recently?

Kohkom explains that she was taken from her family when she was very little because of something called the Sixties Scoop. She was raised by an adoptive white family and only later learned what being Cree meant. It's taken her a long time to feel like she belongs. Kohkom's story gives Charlie the idea to teach her a song so they can play their drums together.

Praise for Monique Gray Smith:

★"Joyful and tender...celebrates the activities that bring gladness through family and cultural connections."--School Library Journal, starred review for My Heart Fills With Happiness

★"Smith tackles difficult and complex conversations with straightforwardness and compassion."--School Library Journal, starred review for Speaking Our Truth

"Gentle...Notably centering Indigenous families and characters of color in personal and communal activities--and encouraging readers to evaluate their actions toward others."--Publishers Weekly for When We Are Kind

"Smith's text is heartwarming!"--Debbie Reese, American Indians in Children's Literature for You Hold Me Up

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