Engle's poetic narrative combines with López's warmly ethereal folk-art illustrations to evoke a nighttime tropical dreamscape.

01/19/2015
A riot of tropical color adds sabor to the tale of Millo Castro Zaldarriaga, a Chinese-African-Cuban girl who dreams “of pounding tall conga drums,/ tapping small bongó drums/ and boom boom booming/ with long, loud sticks/ on big, round, silvery/ moon-bright timbales.” Everybody in Cuba believes that only boys should play the drums, and her own father forbids her to perform, but the “drum dream girl” (as she’s referred to throughout) finds her own drums, practices, and persists until her father relents and hires a teacher. Lopez’s (Tito Puente, Mambo King) paintings fuse dream and reality as the girl flies through the air, drumming on the moon and making music with butterflies and birds; Engle’s (Silver People) lines dance with percussive sound words and rhythmic repetition. Though an afterword reveals that Zaldarriaga later became famous enough to perform for Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt, Engle focuses on her initial struggles rather than her subsequent career. A valuable addition to the growing library of stories about strong Latina women. Ages 4–8. Author’s agent: Michelle Humphrey, Martha Kaplan Agency. Illustrator’s agent: Stefanie von Borstel, Full Circle Literary. (Mar.)

"A beautiful account of a young girl's bravery and her important contribution toward gender equality in the creative arts."  — Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

"The heroine’s tenacity in the face of naysayers will inspire all dreamers, and the illustrator’s smile-inducing cameo on the last page emphasizes the universality of Millo’s story...For those looking for more nonfiction titles about female musical powerhouses." — School Library Journal (starred review)

"The text and illustrations work together beautifully here, creating a story that will imbue readers with inspiration and a yearning to make music of their own."  — Booklist

"A valuable addition to the growing library of stories about strong Latina women."  — Publishers Weekly

"With its emphasis on artistry and visual metaphor, this title bears a strong kinship with Yuyi Morales’ Viva Frida, but it also brings an accessibility that young viewers (and teachers) will appreciate."  — Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books

"Engle’s poetic text takes its cues from Zaldarriaga’s chosen instrument, its rhythm at times steadily assured and at others loose and improvisational...[E]very spread is full of motion, with some of the illustrations requiring a ninety-degree turn, as if the book itself has got to dance." — Horn Book Magazine

"Engle's poetic narrative combined with Lopez's warmly ethereal folk-art illustrations to evoke a nighttime tropical dreamscape."  — New York Times Book Review

02/01/2017
Gr 1–4—The award-winning Cuban American author has made her mark on children's literature with her powerful portrayals of little-known aspects of Cuban history, often shedding light on the Afro-Cuban experience. This work is inspired by the childhood of Millo Castro Zaldarriaga, a Chinese-African-Cuban girl who broke down traditional taboos against female drummers. López's luminous illustrations represent the island's diversity. Details of Cuba's and the protagonist's Chinese, African, Taíno, and Spanish roots are interwoven into the lyrical narrative and the vibrant acrylic paintings.

10/01/2016
Gr 1–4—In Cuba, Millo Castro Zaldarriaga longs to play her drums for all to hear, but on her island only boys are allowed to perform with drums. She perseveres and continues to play and to dream. Eventually, she is invited to join her sister's all-girls band. Her father will not permit her to perform with them, though he allows her to be taught. She continues to practice and dream of a time when she can perform. Finally, she is able to perform in public, and she convinces those who listen that girls, too, can play drums. Adriana Sananes's musical voice invites listeners to dream along. Lovely music, drumbeats, and sound effects accompany the entire tale. The audio production includes a second track with page turns, and a historical note is included in the final track. VERDICT Inspired by a true story, this is a wonderful addition to any collection. ["Engle's spare, rhythmic text gets at the heart of the struggle to achieve a dream": SLJ 1/15 starred review of the Houghton Harcourt book.]—Elizabeth Elsbree, Krug Elementary School, Aurora, IL

Narrator Adriana Sananes's beautiful tone and accent artfully capture the true story of Millo Castro Zaldarriaga, a Chinese-African-Cuban girl. In 1930s Cuba—the island of music—playing drums was taboo for girls. Sananes portrays the spirited sounds of Zaldarriaga's brave quest to play the drums. Listeners will feel they’re privy to the girl's secret playing—until her father relents and hires a tutor. Sananes’s lively pronunciation of adjectives adds to the richly descriptive story. Marvelous sound effects of pounding on tall congas and tapping on small bongos as well as the clucking of chickens who make up Zaldarriaga's audience provide authenticity. Most gratifying is hearing the historical notes, which reveal that she gained critical acclaim as a drummer, even playing for President Franklin Roosevelt's birthday. S.G.B. © AudioFile 2016, Portland, Maine

★ 2014-12-06
Pura Belpré winner and Newbery honoree Engle, known for writing free-verse historical fiction, introduces readers to Millo Castro Zaldarriaga with this illustrated poem, inspired by her subject's childhood. Millo became a world-famous musician at quite a young age. Before fame, however, as Engle's account attests, there is struggle. Millo longs to play the drums, but in 1930s Cuba, drumming is taboo for girls, "so the drum dream girl / had to keep dreaming / quiet / secret / drumbeat / dreams." This doesn't stop Millo; she dares to let her talent soar, playing every type of drum that she can find. Her sisters invite her to join their all-girl band, but their father refuses to allow Millo to play the drums. Eventually, her father softens, connecting her with a music teacher who determines that her talent is strong enough to override the social stigma. The rhythmic text tells Millo's story and its significance in minimal words, with a lyricism that is sure to engage both young children and older readers. López's illustrations are every bit as poetic as the narrative, a color-saturated dreamscape that Millo dances within, pounding and tapping her drums. Though it's not explicit in the text, her mixed Chinese-African-Cuban descent is hinted at in the motifs López includes. A beautiful account of a young girl's bravery and her important contribution toward gender equality in the creative arts. (historical note) (Picture book. 3-8)