One Small Blue Bead

by Byrd Baylor

Book Overview

A band of men sat huddled in a cave
Where coals of fire glowed warm and red.
Boy lay curled on a bed of leaves
But he sat up when an old man said: "This thought keeps spinning in my head.
There must be caves just like our own
Somewhere
And other axes made of stone
Somewhere
And other men like me."
Though only Boy shares his dream, the old man leaves the tribe to search for what the world may hold. Boy does the old man's work in his absence and watches hopefully for his return...
For any good thing
Can happen when
The world is full of
Tribes of men
Who know that they have brothers.
First published in 1965 and long out of print, Byrd Baylor's powerful story is newly illustrated with Ronald Himler's vigorous yet tender pictures.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0684193345
• ISBN13: 9780684193342
• Release Date: March 1992
• Publisher: Atheneum Books for Young Readers
• Length: 32 Pages
• Weight: 0.80 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.4" x 8.1" x 10.4"
• Age Range: 7 to 10 years
• Grade Range: Grades 2 to 5

Customer Reviews

One Small Blue Bead

This book is very touching! When I was graduating college, the book was read to me by one of my instructors. She passed out blue bead necklaces to each one of us, after the story, to help us remember the experiences we had shared together. This book is about friendship and sharing of things with others, that are much like you. I love it!

A book with two memorable heroes

"One Small Blue Bead" combines text by Byrd Baylor with illustrations by Ronald Himler. The story, which is told in rhyming verse, is about an apparently prehistoric stone age culture. The heroes of the story are an old man and a boy who are part of a stone age tribe.The old man announces his intention to go on a journey to discover if other humans exist. The boy, who is simply called "Boy," volunteers to do the old man's share of work while the old man is on his quest."One Small Blue Bead" is a very moving story with striking illustrations. Himler makes effective use of warm earth tones. The book also contains an inspiring message about the interconnectedness of humanity across vast distances of both time and space. Truly a special book.

One Small Blue Bead

I am not even sure how this book came into my hands, but it has been influential in my life. I continue to get goose bumps, or sometimes cry when I read it. It exemplifies the brotherhood of man, the bridging of generational, as well as racial gaps. I had the good fortune to encounter another book by Baylor during my credential program, "I'm in Charge of Celebrations." I realized that there were other books and that this book was still available. It is a great gift, as well as great for use in kindergarten or first grade clasrooms. It can be used as an intro into friendship, acceptance of responsibility, risk-taking for the good of community, and much mmore.Enjoy!

This book teaches globality to all grade levels.

This book is used by me in my fifth grade class for discussion, predicting and appreciating challenging thoughts outside their comfort zone.