One Beaded Earring - (Orca Echoes) by Pat Lamondin Skene (Paperback)

About the Book

Book Synopsis

★ "The strength of this book lies in its seamless weaving of cultural tradition with a relatable child's mistake. This is a tender, culturally rich story that is a touching celebration of heritage, honesty, and family that will inspire young readers to cherish their roots." -- School Library Journal (SLJ), starred review

Delia's mom has the most beautiful earrings.

They're long and dangly earrings, and made from strands upon strands of tiny blue, green and white beads that make the earrings look like waterfalls. Delia decides to wear the earrings to school to show off a little to her friends. And it works--until one earring falls down the drain in the school bathroom.

When Delia confides in her grandmother about the lost earring, she learns that she can't just replace it: her Aunt Maureen made the earrings for her mother to celebrate getting their Métis citizenship. Delia didn't even know her family was Métis! With no way to replace the lost earring, Delia must own up to her mistakes, dive deeper into her Métis identity and use her storytelling skills to find a way to make things right.

The epub edition of this title is fully accessible.

Review Quotes

"Skene shows what healthy reconnection looks like while explaining why reconnection is necessary. Laurin's grayscale illustrations further bring the story to life and offer a look at traditional Métis beadwork and quillwork. Clear languages makes themes of intergenerational healing accessible. A relatable, enjoyable early chapter book."

★ "A heartfelt illustrated early chapter book that blends family, culture, and honesty into a moving story of discovery and love. The strength of this book lies in its seamless weaving of cultural tradition with a relatable child's mistake. This book is not only an engaging story but also an important resource for identity exploration and cultural education. It's perfect for classroom libraries, community collections, and family read-alouds, especially in discussions about honesty, resilience, and heritage. This is a tender, culturally rich story that is a touching celebration of heritage, honesty, and family that will inspire young readers to cherish their roots."

About the Author

Pat Lamondin Skene retired from the world of banking to find her voice. She is a Métis author of eight books for children, including the picture book Lights along the River andthe Orca Echoes titles What a Hippopota-Mess!, Rhyme Stones and Monster Lunch. Pat's memoir, Swiftly Flowing Waters, shares more stories of her childhood growing up in a Métis community on the Magnetawan River. Pat keeps her imagination fed and watered in Oakville, Ontario.

Natalie Laurin is a Métis and settler woman with family roots in the Georgian Bay Métis community. As a rising illustrator and designer, her passion for merging visual storytelling and cultural education has led to engaging collaborations with talented authors. She hopes to continue these collaborations and inspire youth through themes of relationship-building and community.