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The Lee & Low office is closed today because of the storm, and our thoughts are with everyone affected by Sandy and the rain, wind, and flooding that she brought with her.

Drummer Boy of John John illustrator Frané Lessac has shared instructions on how to make masks for Halloween and Carnival, but they work just as well as a Hurricane craft for those still cooped up and looking for something to do, as most things can be found around the house or replaced easily with household items.

Enjoy, and stay safe and dry!

Materials:
Crayons or colored pencils
Scissors
12” elastic cord
glue
colorful bits and bobs (beads, feathers, glitter)

Directions:
1. Print off the mask or follow the simple outline and draw your own:

2. Cut almond shapes out for the eyes. You can ask an adult to help.
3. Poke 2 tiny holes on either side of the mask ½” from the sides.
4. Tie a knot on one end of the elastic and thread though. Then thread through the other side and knot.
5. Color the mask with bright crayons or pencils. (For inspiration, look at the Carnival masks in The Drummer Boy of John John)
6. Glue on the colorful bits and bobs.
7. Let dry.
8. Jump up and paaaarrrttiee !!!

In preparation for the release of our fall title Drummer Boy of John John, we wanted to share the sounds of the Caribbean with our readers. Drummer Boy of John John tells the story of young Winston and his dream to have a band at Carnival so he can win the prize of free rotis from the Roti King. Using metal objects found in a junkyard and ingenuity, Winston discovers a new type of sound and creates a band of his own!

According to legend, Winston “Spree” Simon invented the steelpan in Trinidad and Tobago in the 1930s. The steelpan is a percussion instrument played with rubber-tipped sticks and is the national instrument of Trinidad and Tobago.  To get an idea of what steelpans sounds like, we’ve compiled a few performance clips. Have a listen:

1. A band plays “Stand By Me” at the Flatbush Frolic, a free community street fair, in Brooklyn, NY:

2. The Mangrove Band plays during the 2011 Notting Hill Carnival in London, UK:

3. And here’s one from our very own Hamilton Hill Steel Drum Band, the group profiled in our book Steel Drumming at the Apollo:

We hope you enjoy these festive sounds!