An adorably illustrated story of a little girl who dreams of being the angel in the nativity play, but ends up with the role of drummer girl instead. She is plucky, she is cute, and she gets the gravity of giving what she can to Jesus. I thought it was darling. I did find the rhyming scheme a little difficult to read in places, so that did detract from my enjoyment.

One of the main points of this book I loved was that it's about a little drummer GIRL because usually every time you hear the story, it's about the little drummer BOY. (Not that there's anything wrong with that. I just think the change is nice). Of course, the most important aspect of this book is that it's about Jesus' birth. The story is adorable, and the illustrations are colorful and very eye-catching. I can see this being a favorite Christmas book families will pass down from generation to generation. I know my grandchildren would love it. Recommended.

I'm always on the lookout for Christmas books that focus on the meaning of Christmas to share with my kids. I was excited to read this ' unexpected' Christmas story. The beautifully-illustrated children's book follows a little girl who wants to play the angel in her church's pageant. Instead, she gets cast as the 'drummer girl'. The true meaning of Christmas and a focus on Christ's birth is sprinkled throughout the book. I wish there was a little bit more. From the title, I thought it would go into a little more about being a 'drummer girl' and how that's special and Christ-centered, but that part was a little short to me. This book seems like an interesting story for kids with several sweet moments to focus on Christ and the reason for the season. I do like that the book brings up childhood disappointment over not getting the role you want in a play. Very relatable! So it's nice to see the main character work through that. As a mom of little girls, I also like to see this young female main character learn a lesson and celebrate the holiday in a nice way.

Rating: 4 stars
Content warnings: None
Age range: It says 3-5 years old, but I think even my 7 year old would enjoy it. I would maybe even say ages 4-8.
Recommend: If you want a Christmas book that mentions the reason for the season and pulls kids in with an interesting plot, yes!
NetGalley: I read this book as an ARC on NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

It’s Christmas pageant time and Isabella, who loves to sing and dance, hopes to get a part in the play as a Christmas angel. She dreams of wearing a flowing white robe, feathery wings and a sparkling halo.

As life does, things don't go quite as planned. Isabella is assigned the part of The Little Drummer GIRL! Girl, who ever heard of that? Besides, drummers don't get to wear halos, white robes, or wings! She’d have just a drum and sheep. Yes Isabella is certainly disappointed. She had even prayed she’d get the angel part so she could proudly proclaim the birth of Jesus. Daddy explains to his little girl that this baby named Jesus is a King and she has been chosen to play for Him by His stable bed. Her mindset changes especially when she gets an early Christmas present to unwrap.
While this is the sweetest story of precious little girl, the vividly beautiful illustrations are the winner for me. it’s classic Christmas Pageant… children in fluffy sheep costumes wearing sneakers, shepherds in bathrobes sipping from a mug in play practice, little boy in a gray donkey suit and of course the angels with halos perched on their heads along with the ever present serious matronly play director who has led the play for the last 25 years most likely.
Children will love searching for the dog and cat throughout the book. I laughed upon seeing the cat on page eleven in rapt attention sitting in the audience the night of the performance.
The Little Drummer Girl is aimed at children ages 3 to 5 and perfectly demonstrates how an awful day can turn into the greatest day of all. This book is a perfect read aloud with messages of hope, humor, and the power of God's love, at Christmas and every day.