Cat Plays a Drum: (Cat and Friends)
Kitten and Friends Series
on Goodreads (6)
What’s inside...
In 'Cat Plays a Drum,' a curious and adventurous cat discovers an old drum in the attic and decides to form a band with its animal friends. As they practice and play together, they learn about cooperation, the joy of music, and the value of friendship. In this story in the Cat and Friends series of full-color board books, Cat and his friends enjoy making music together, until Bear needs to take a nap. But when Bear starts to snore, Cat can’t help tapping his drum, and his friends join in while Bear sleeps on. Bold illustrations and simple rhyming text enable new readers to develop their vocabulary, as well as encouraging the recognition and understanding of word structure through phonics. Printed as a board book, the story is nicely designed for toddlers, preschool, and kindergarten readers, introducing young children to a range of vocabulary terms, rhyme, rhythm, and onomatopoeia.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
2-6
Length
22 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What do you think Cat felt when he first tried playing the drum?
Can you imagine a new instrument you'd like to invent? What sounds would it make?
Why do you think Cat chose to play the drum with his friends?
How do you feel when you make music or hear music being played?
What do you think the friends learned by playing music together?
Tip: Role play these questions
To enrich the reading experience, use expressive tones while discussing the story. Encourage your child to express feelings about the characters and their actions. Connect the story’s themes to your child's real life by discussing similar experiences they've had with friends or music. Finally, consider crafting a simple homemade drum or other instrument to create a hands-on experience that ties back to the story.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Teamwork and collaboration
Explanation: In the story, Cat learns to play the drum with the help of his friends, each contributing a different skill to their musical adventure.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this lesson by working together with peers in school projects or during play, learning that cooperation can lead to wonderful results.
Example Lesson: Perseverance and practice
Explanation: Cat struggles initially to play the drum but keeps practicing and eventually improves, showing the importance of persistence.
Real-World Application: This can teach children the value of continuous effort in learning new skills, whether it be a musical instrument, a new sport, or academics.
Example Lesson: Appreciating diversity
Explanation: Cat’s friends, each different in their own way, contribute uniquely to the musical group, highlighting the beauty of diversity.
Real-World Application: Children learn to appreciate and embrace differences among peers, understanding that everyone has unique contributions to make.
Example Lesson: Self-expression through art
Explanation: The book celebrates expressing oneself through the arts, as Cat finds joy in playing the drum and creating music.
Real-World Application: Encourages children to explore artistic endeavors whether in music, drawing, dancing, or writing, promoting emotional expression and creativity.
Example Lesson: Sharing joy with others
Explanation: By the end of the book, Cat and his friends perform a concert, sharing their music and hard work with others, spreading happiness.
Real-World Application: This teaches children the importance of sharing their talents and joys with others, enhancing social bonds and community spirit.