One Small Blue Bead

A band of men sat huddled in a caveWhere coals of fire glowed warm and red.Boy lay curled on a bed of leavesBut he sat up when an old man said:"This thought keeps spinning in my head.There must be caves just like our ownSomewhereAnd other axes made of stoneSomewhereAnd 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 thingCan happen whenThe world is full ofTribes of menWho 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.

Byrd Baylor was born in Texas and now lives in Arizona. Her earlier books include The Desert Is Theirs, The Way to Start a Day, and Hawk, I'm Your Brother, all Caldecott Honor Books, as well as Everybody Needs a Rock and I'm in Charge of Celebrations.