• Age: 4 to 8
• Grade: p to 3
• Reading age: 4 to 8

Author Deidre Havrelock’s and illustrator Aphelandra’s The Heartbeat Drum is an uplifting picture book biography of a Cree activist and musician who founded an Indigenous hand drumming group, led by women and children, that spreads joy, healing, and unity

nisôhkisinân (We are strong) . . .
ninikamonân (We are singing) . . .
mîna nika-âhkamêyimonân (And we will continue) . . .

Whenever young Carol Powder sang along to her family’s music, her heart felt light and full of joy. Learning from her grandfather, Moshum, Carol listened closely to the drums’ heartbeat until one day Moshum made her a drum of her very own.

As Carol grew up, she passed down her songs to her children, grandchildren, and many women in her community, just as Moshum taught her—even as women and children became increasingly excluded from sitting at the drum. Despite those who disapproved, she formed her own drumming group called Chubby Cree.

Today, Carol and her group share their music to advocate at climate events, to honor residential school survivors at special ceremonies, and to spread healing for anyone who needs it. Empowering and joyfully illustrated, The Heartbeat Drum is a radiant celebration of preserving Indigenous traditions, finding your voice, and speaking out.

Includes both an author’s note and illustrator’s note, as well as a personal note from Carol Powder herself.

Deidre Havrelock is a member of Saddle Lake Cree Nation in Alberta, Canada. She was raised in Edmonton, Alberta, and is the author of the picture book Buffalo Wild!, hailed as an “exuberant celebration,” and Indigenous Ingenuity: A Celebration of Traditional North American Knowledge, coauthored with Edward Kay. She lives in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, on Treaty 6 Territory and the Homeland of the Métis, with her family.

Deidre Havrelock's profile page

Aphelandra's profile page

"Havrelock's (Saddle Lake Cree Nation) text reads smoothly, successfully conveying the feelings that drummers such as Powder experience... Cree drum lyrics complement the story's tone... a welcome Indigenous biography."

Booklist

***STARRED REVIEW***
"[B]rilliantly illustrated...Cree words are strung throughout the radiant illustrations...Stunning and empowering."

Kirkus Reviews

"[A] simple, yet profound story of music, change, legacy, and activism. Straightforward prose and engaging dialogue between grandfather and granddaughter make this an approachable and meaningful story for young readers..."

The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books