EBOOK
About
There are many stories in a bead. We must listen to the stories they tell us. Tessa loves how her grandmother always smells of campfire stories. Mom says it's because Kohkom spends her days sewing beautiful beads onto smoked hides. Inspired, Tessa asks Kohkom to teach her beading, but first she must listen and learn about the many stories held in a bead. Tessa loves how her grandmother always smells of campfire stories. Mom says it's because Kohkom spends her days sewing beautiful beads onto smoked hides. Inspired, Tessa asks Kohkom to teach her beading, but first she must listen and learn about the many stories held in a bead.
A celebration of Cree craftsmanship, language, and learning. The loving exchange of knowledge between Tessa and her Kohkom will be familiar to many children. Readers will learn that different Indigenous communities have different beadwork techniques, and that this traditional art form is alive and thriving today.
Key selling points:
• An opportunity for young people to learn about beadwork - a cultural tradition of many Indigenous groups across Turtle Island.
• Author Kelsey Borgford describes beadwork as a key connection to family, community, and self sustenance.
• Borgford was inspired by her friend Tessa Pizzale's story, and wanted her to come full circle and illustrate the book.
• What's in a Bead was the runner up for Second Story Press' third Indigenous Writing Contest.
• Kelsey Borgford was a finalist for the Indigenous Voices Award in the Unpublished Poetry in English category. Her poetry collection Once the Smudge is Lit is forthcoming with Kegedonce Publishing in Fall 2023.
• Illustrator Tessa Pizzale is an interdisciplinary artist who illustrates, paints and creates different Indigenous crafts including regalia leather belts, ribbon skirts, and beadwork. She learned a lot of her craftsmanship from her late Kookum, who taught her how to bead, and her Nikawiy, who taught her how to sew.
"The story is a beautiful look into the importance of beading in our communities and the ways that this art practice ties us together as families and communities."
A celebration of Cree craftsmanship, language, and learning. The loving exchange of knowledge between Tessa and her Kohkom will be familiar to many children. Readers will learn that different Indigenous communities have different beadwork techniques, and that this traditional art form is alive and thriving today.
Key selling points:
• An opportunity for young people to learn about beadwork - a cultural tradition of many Indigenous groups across Turtle Island.
• Author Kelsey Borgford describes beadwork as a key connection to family, community, and self sustenance.
• Borgford was inspired by her friend Tessa Pizzale's story, and wanted her to come full circle and illustrate the book.
• What's in a Bead was the runner up for Second Story Press' third Indigenous Writing Contest.
• Kelsey Borgford was a finalist for the Indigenous Voices Award in the Unpublished Poetry in English category. Her poetry collection Once the Smudge is Lit is forthcoming with Kegedonce Publishing in Fall 2023.
• Illustrator Tessa Pizzale is an interdisciplinary artist who illustrates, paints and creates different Indigenous crafts including regalia leather belts, ribbon skirts, and beadwork. She learned a lot of her craftsmanship from her late Kookum, who taught her how to bead, and her Nikawiy, who taught her how to sew.
"The story is a beautiful look into the importance of beading in our communities and the ways that this art practice ties us together as families and communities."