The First Beaver

By Caroll Simpson

This is the story of how the first beaver came to be. It tells of a young girl, Reedee, who is born with hair the colour of Mother Earth, not the colour of Raven like the rest of her people. It isn't just her hair that sets Reedee apart: at night, when everyone else sleeps, Reedee disappears into the forest. Her parents are dismayed, but when they learn that Reedee has a path she must follow on her own, they support her and allow her to become her true self.

Caroll Simpson's charming tale and vivid colour paintings depict the world of the First Peoples of the Pacific Northwest and encourage young readers to find and honour their true selves, just like Reedee did. The book includes a glossary of crests and their significance in First Nations culture.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Heritage House
• Release date: Dec 15, 2011
• ISBN: 9781927051238

Caroll Simpson

Caroll Simpson taught Native art and drama to grade-school children for many years before buying a remote fishing lodge, called Ookpik Wilderness Lodge, in the northern interior of British Columbia. Located on Babine Lake, it is accessible only by boat in the summer months and by snowshoes during the winter. Caroll spends the off-season writing and painting. She sees her work as a celebration of the legends and art of the First Nations of the Pacific Northwest. Her love for the art and history of the First Peoples of North America started when she was a young girl. She began studying Indian history and made her first moccasins at age 10, graduating to making leather clothing by the time she was 13. She still does leatherwork, and she has also made cradleboards for more than 30 years. Her love and respect for First Nations traditions is matched by her love for animals and nature.

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