The Fastest Drummer: Clap Your Hands for Viola Smith!

Praise

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