Sheila Walsh Shares the Heart Behind “The Little Drummer Girl”

THE LITTLE DRUMMER GIRL 

Sheila’s latest book is about a little girl named Isabella, who loves to sing and dance.  She auditions for the Christmas pageant at her church, dreaming of landing the perfect part – the Christmas angel, who dons a sparkling halo, a flowing white robe, and her very own wings.  Things don’t pan out the way she hopes, though she does get a part -- the little drummer … girl?  Drummers don’t wear halos, robes, or wings!  It seems this will be the most disappointing Christmas ever.  

Every child knows the feeling of wanting something so badly, only to receive something different.  Filled with witty rhymes and whimsical illustrations, The Little Drummer Girl helps children ages three to five understand how an awful day can turn into a great day – and that every single one of us has a part to play.  The story delivers an entertaining message to young readers of hope and the power of God’s love as shown through His gift of Jesus – not just at Christmas, but every day.  

THE MOTIVATION

Sheila clearly remembers what inspired her to write her first children’s book years ago.  “I was taking our son, Christian, to school, and as we waited in the drop-off line, a little girl got out of the car ahead of us, with one blue sock and one white.  Her dad didn’t notice, but said to her, “Have a wonderful day, Princess, I love you!”  She thought about how all children need to hear words that are healing, true, and that God loves them.  “I wish I was told more of that at their age, and that’s what I try to say to little children through books.”   

On another occasion, when Christian was in elementary school, Sheila was invited by a teacher to read to the  
class.  Afterward, they prayed, and one of the little girls prayed for her dad who was in prison.  Sheila was struck by how difficult that must be for her family and again felt let to reach children with the message that they are seen and valued by God. 

THE MESSAGE 

In The Little Drummer Girl, Sheila wanted to deal with not always getting what one wants, as all people deal with that in life.  She loves the fact that Isabella is honest and transparent both about her desire to be the star of the show and her disappointment when the role goes to someone else.  As her dad helps her see that Jesus is the real focus of the play, not any of the characters, Isabella decides that her role honoring Him is plenty important and performs it with gusto.  

Sheila says the message she wants to get across to children (and the adults who read this book to them, too) is that God’s love has nothing to do with performance, that we are loved as we are.  She says we’re all looking for peace and purpose in life and those are only to be found at the feet of Jesus.      

For mor information on Sheila Walsh or to purchase her books, click the LINK!  

CREDITS

Best-selling author, latest: The Little Drummer Girl (Baker Books, 2025) / Sheila has sold nearly six million books / Popular conference speaker and Bible teacher; has spoken to six million people worldwide / Joined the TBN network in December, 2022 as a host of several shows, including Praise and Better Together / Former Co-host of Life Today with James and Betty Robison / Founder, Braveheart Sisterhood events / Former Women of Faith speaker, more than 20 years until its end in 2017 / Former co-host of The 700 Club, 1987-1992, and host of CBN’S Heart to Heart / Three-time Grammy-nominated recording artist, having recorded more than 25 albums / Married to Barry, one grown son, Christian, now a clinical psychologist, and one “crazy little dog,” Maggie