The Drumbeat of Haiti

The journey through Haiti’s past continues in Book 5 of The Drumbeat of Haiti series. In Haiti’s First Footprints, a curious child and the wise owl Koukou witness a turning point in the island’s story. Strange ships have crossed the sea, bringing Christopher Columbus and his crew to a world already home to the Taíno people. The newcomers arrive with unfamiliar objects, animals, and customs, while the Taíno initially welcome them with food, gifts, and kindness. Young readers follow the events of Columbus’s first voyage, from his arrival in the Caribbean to the wreck of the Santa María, the building of La Navidad, and the thirty-nine crewmen who remained behind when Columbus returned to Spain. But Koukou knows the story is far from over. What will happen when Columbus comes back? Told in English and Haitian Creole with colorful, child-friendly illustrations, Haiti’s First Footprints introduces young readers to an important chapter of Haitian and Caribbean history while encouraging curiosity, cultural awareness, and a deeper appreciation for the people who called the island home long before the newcomers arrived.