The Fastest Drummer: Clap Your Hands for Viola Smith!

Robbins and Chapman collectively convey the vivacity and joy of this exceptional musician, and back matter further describes Smith's advocacy for women in music.

This upbeat account of exuberant and innovative drummer Viola Smith is a lively newcomer to journalist and award-winning picture-book author Robbins' noteworthy collection of biographies of women pursuing big dreams with passion and persistence.

Pulsing with energy, this lively book shines a much-deserved spotlight on an artist who became renowned playing an instrument most commonly associated with men. 

Legendary jazz musician Viola Smith (1912-2020) gets a much-deserved spotlight in Robbins's ringing tribute. Onomatopoeic lines describe Smith's childhood exposure to drums as the youngest member of the Smith Sisters Orchestra, which traveled the U.S. Midwest ("Viola tried out a RAT-TAT-TAT on the snare. A BANG-BANG-BANG on the tom-tom"). Even after the group disbands, Smith's passion proves lifelong. Alliterative text highlights her asking other drummers for advice and her eventual prowess as "the fastest drummer," the formation of famed women's band the Coquettes, her door-opening wartime advocacy for female musicians, and more. Chapman's retro-style multimedia artwork snaps with vibrant color that captures the volume of Smith's music, and confetti and emanata celebrate the energy of her beats. Highlighting Smith's collaborative instincts, this profile offers a resounding reason to "clap your hands for Viola Smith!" An author's note and glossary conclude. Ages 7-9. (Mar.)

Copyright 2024 Publishers Weekly, LLC Used with permission.

Chapman's upbeat illustrations create movement, sound, and emotion constantly swirling around "the fastest girl drummer in the world." With a decidedly mid-century feel, the art reverberates with Smith's active enthusiasm, with ripples from cymbals, starbursts from the bass drum, and twirling lines that trace the paths of her perpetually in-motion mallets. 
—The Horn Book (starred review) 

As dynamic as Viola's drumming, Chapman's art vibrates with bright colors in retro palettes, with inventive compositions pulsating across the page and energetic hand-drawn words to amp up the rhythm. . . . An engaging perspective on a vibrant life that inspires a reader to find her own unique beat.
—Booklist

What a thrilling way to tell the story of a thrilling woman! The pages come alive, bursting with Viola Smith's energy. Kudos to Dean Robbins and Susanna Chapman for this vibrant collaboration, which tells the story of a powerful musician who fell in love with the drums and led the charge for all female musicians to follow.
—Mindy Abovitz Monk, publisher of Tom Tom, the magazine for female drummers, and director of Hit Like a Girl, the international contest for female drummers

Famous men dominate the history of jazz. But it is often unknown women who play it, like the drummer Viola Smith, who should be far better known today than she is. This book about that wonderful drummer tells a compelling story, about the power of women and the power of the music they make.
—Simon Adams of Jazz Journal

I'm excited that kids will get to know my great aunt Viola Smith through The Fastest Drummer. This bold, vibrant book evokes her talent as a musician and her courage in pursuing her dream to become one of the first professional female drummers. It will inspire young readers to pursue their own dreams, whatever they happen to be.
—Janet Furtak, grandniece of Viola Smith

The Fastest Drummer tells a marvelous story with captivating illustrations, and it well represents my aunt Viola Smith. As the first recognized American professional female drummer, she was an inspiration to musicians around the world, and the book will be similarly inspiring for young readers.
—Dennis Bartash, nephew of Viola Smith 

Appropriately, onomatopoeic words representing the sounds of drum crashes cavort playfully throughout the eye-popping watercolor, gouache, cut-paper, and digital illustrations. Bang the drums—loudly—for this arresting account of a gifted virtuoso.
—Kirkus Reviews (starred review)