Ra! Ta! Ma! Cue!

A drum pattern becomes the hope-inspiring rallying cry of fearless children in Shia’s adventuring comic. Opening panels set the scene in a metropolitan environment run by youths while their grown-ups are chasing away “the Growlies.” One day, some kids show up with drums, pounding “RATAMACUE!”: “It meant ‘No more waiting.’ ” The effect is instantaneous, and the group march forth, declaring “Bring back our moms!” and “Rescue our dads!” As the children encounter various obstacles—overgrown roads, a rainstorm—their percussive rhythm sustains. Confronting a bridge that’s collapsed, the rowdy cohort boat forth atop large drums to meet their foes in a battle of volume. The arc of the youthful underdogs is predictable but no less satisfying as the children eventually transition to using their bodies as drums for a rapturous success. Amid scratchy, angularly illustrated panels that unfold in blue and gray shades, the power of the kids’ beat emerges in bold, rainbow-colored cut-paper confetti bursts that convey music’s explosive magic. Characters are portrayed with various abilities and skin tones. A brief instructional note concludes. Ages 6–9. (Sept.)