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Reviewed by Jamie Michele for Readers' Favorite
In Vicki Brings the Beat! by Freddy Rodriguez, a ten-year-old girl named Vicki wakes up dreading school but quickly becomes interested in a sign advertising the upcoming talent show, which sparks an idea connected to her late father’s love of drumming. She decides to sign up and play drums even though she has never played before and only knows piano and violin. With encouragement from her mother, she begins lessons at a local music shop, finding the instrument both exciting and frustrating as she struggles to improve. Over several weeks, she practices tirelessly, balancing her schoolwork with her new goal of performing on stage. As the talent show approaches, she gains confidence and begins to see real progress in her drumming, but whether or not the preparation pays off is yet to be seen.
Vicki Brings the Beat! by Freddy Rodriguez is an upbeat and joyful story about a girl discovering her rhythm and confidence through music, and in honor of someone she loves. The book has a really fun, almost musical pulse that makes us want to root for her, and my young daughter and I were both cheering for Vicki as she started to truly believe in herself and share her talent. Rodriguez's storytelling highlights the satisfaction of steady improvement, giving kids an idea of what practice and patience can achieve. The illustrations by Ashley Casarrubias are unique, with a bold color palette and a comic-book style, making the story feel alive with movement and a strong visual perspective. Overall, this is an excellent choice for children who enjoy seeing someone they can easily relate to reach a goal through enthusiasm and steady effort.
