Rum Pum Pum

"Rrrrh!" means "Let's be friends" in tiger talk, but the other animals don't understand him and run away! Maybe the gentle "rum-pum-pum" of the drum can help him.

Fun animal sounds in a story about friendship, communication, and music. A perfect story time read-aloud!

The lonely tiger finds a drum. He strikes it with his tail--and friends start to follow: a monkey who says "chee-chee-chee" which means "I will come too" in monkey talk, a rhino who says "ouggh" which means "I will come too" in rhino talk, a parrot that says "scree-awk," a chameleon, an elephant, and eventually a child--who is now reunited with the drum he lost. Because of the drum, the tiger is no longer lonely and friendless.

Information about tiger conservation is included in the back.

The authors are the two most beloved contemporary children's books author-poets.

David L. Harrison's books have received state awards in Kansas, Missouri, Michigan, Arizona, South Dakota, Indiana, Texas, Kentucky, and Virginia. Awards also include IRA/CBC Children's Choices, NCTE Notable Poetry Books, and Bank Street College Best Books. The David Harrison Elementary School in Springfield, Missouri, is named in his honor. David lives in Springfield, Missouri.


Jane Yolen is an author of children's, fantasy, and science fiction, as well as a poet, teacher, and reviewer of writing. Her previous books have won the Caldecott Medal, two Nebula Awards, two Christopher Medals, the Golden Kite Award, and the Jewish Book Award, among many others. Rum Pum Pum is her first book with Holiday House.

Anjan Sarkar started his career in children's illustration after being inspired by drawing with his children. Since becoming a full-time illustrator, he's contributed not only to children's books, but also animation and advertising efforts. He works from a studio in his house in Sheffield, England, where he lives with his wife and two kids.