The One and Only Question

by Norma Charles, Andrea Charles, Ken Daley (Illustrator)

Overview

It's Zeke's first day at his new school and his head is filled with one big question: what will he do when they call him the N-word like they did at his old school?

Zeke is expecting the worst day ever, and that's what it's turning out to be. His favorite shirt has a mustard stain on it, the bus driver is unfriendly, and his teacher covers material Zeke has heard a million times. It’s not until another student performs a small act of kindness that Zeke realizes that no one has called him the N-word all day. Not once. And tomorrow could be even better …

Ken Daley’s vibrant illustrations bring warmth and humor to the story, while showing hints of what makes this new school a safer space. 

The One and Only Question will prompt young readers to ask questions of their own about how to handle bullying — while also encouraging conversations about everyone’s right to a safe learning environment.

Includes an author’s note explaining the authors’ personal connection to this story, as well as a list of suggestions about what to do about racism-based bullying to help educators, caregivers and victims.

Key Text Features

illustrations;dialogue;author's note

Correlates to the Common Core State Standards in English Language Arts:

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.2.3

Describe how characters in a story respond to major events and challenges.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.2.4

Describe how words and phrases (e.g., regular beats, alliteration, rhymes, repeated lines) supply rhythm and meaning in a story, poem, or song.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.2.7

Use information gained from the illustrations and words in a print or digital text to demonstrate understanding of its characters, setting, or plot.

Describe how words and phrases (e.g., regular beats, alliteration, rhymes, repeated lines) supply rhythm and meaning in a story, poem, or song.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.3.6

Distinguish their own point of view from that of the narrator or those of the characters.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781773069654
Publisher:	Groundwood Books
Publication date:	03/04/2025
Pages:	32
Product dimensions:	7.75(w) x 12.00(h) x 0.00(d)
Age Range:	4 - 8 Years

About the Author

NORMA CHARLES is an award-winning children’s author who has published over twenty books. Her recent works include Tree Musketeers and Runner: Harry Jerome, World’s Fastest Man, which was shortlisted for the Sheila A. Egoff Award for Children’s Literature. She lives in Vancouver, BC.

ANDREA CHARLES was born in Vancouver, BC. After attending York Universityin Toronto, where she earned a degree in political science and English, she returned to Vancouver, where she worked for the federal government. Andrea enjoys practicing yoga and spending time with her young son, Kai.

KEN DALEY is an award-winning illustrator who draws inspiration from his African Caribbean roots. He has illustrated over thirteen books, including Joseph's Big Ride by Terry Farish, which received a Skipping Stones Honor Award for International Multicultural Books, A Feast for Joseph by Terry Farish and OD Bonny, and Auntie Luce's Talking Paintings by Francie Latour, an Américas Award Honor Book and a Kirkus Best Picture Book about History and Tradition. Ken lives in Kitchener, Ontario.

What People are Saying About This

Sylvia McNicoll

A simple clear story about the power of expectations and how friendship can shape a better world. The One and Only Question aspires to better tomorrows for us all.

Caroline Adderson

The wonder of this book is that, like Kai's first day at a new school, it somehow goes from heartbreaking to heartwarming in 32 pages. I loved it!

Robert Heidbreder

The One and Only Question is powerful and poetic. Children need to safely find their place in the world as much as adults do. This book lovingly encourages that important search for identity and acceptance.

Mahtab Narsimhan

Norma and Andrea Charles skillfully explore the universal fears and anxieties of children who look or feel different, highlighting the fundamental need to avoid being bullied and to belong. Their timely story will resonate with readers of all ages. Ken Daley's vibrant illustrations beautifully capture Zeke's reactions to his new school and classmates.

Deborah Hodge

A wonderful and important book!

Editorial Reviews

Kids will see themselves in Ken Daley's realistic drawings of a contemporary school.

Winnipeg Free Press

2025-02-01
A Black child frets about the possibility of racist bullying at his new school.

As Zeke prepares for his first day, he’s consumed with worry that someone will call him a racial slur—something that happened at his old school. His day isn’t off to a promising start—a clothing stain forces him to put his favorite shirt aside, the bus driver looks unfriendly, and no one on the bus speaks to him. His teacher scolds him when he gets restless during class, and lunch is an unappetizing “soggy sandwich.” But later, when the kids race around the track, a boy named Jay compliments Zeke on his athletic prowess and invites him to join the basketball team. A different bus driver gives Zeke an enthusiastic greeting on the way home; at last, Zeke relaxes and begins to feel comfortable. Writing in terse prose that effectively conveys the protagonist’s tension, the authors—a mother and daughter—draw from personal experience for a look at the toll that racist bullying can take on young people. They demonstrate how isolating it can feel to be targeted due to one’s race. Daley’s warm, expressive art makes a tough topic feel more accessible. The book ends with a note from co-author Norma Charles and advice on dealing with racism, aimed at both children and adults. Zeke’s community is diverse.

Sensitively presented guidance for helping young people make sense of bigotry.(Picture book. 4-8)

Kirkus Reviews