Lubna and Pebble

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Lubna navigates the challenges of being a refugee: keeping happy—or rather, surviving—and passing the courage on. The story has an ageless emotional heart, really, with lovely illustrations, told in a way easily understood by children." - Families Glasgow Lubna and Pebble is a collaboration between Wendy Meddour and Daniel Egnéus has resulted in a lovely and timely book. Lubna’s best friend and confidante is a pebble called Pebble. Lubna feels safe in the World of Tents with Pebble by her side and Daddy to watch over her. When Amir arrives, friendless and alone, Lubna knows what to do… A successful juvenile by the beloved New Yorker writer portrays a farm episode with an imaginative twist that makes a poignant, humorous story of a pig, a spider and a little girl.

This warm and touching picturebook, about a child's kindness to another, features children who have crossed a sea from a war to live in a world of tents. Evocative drawings express sadness and hope." - One to Watch Out For in the Sunday Times SUSAN: I have read a lot of children’s books that deal with the refugee experience, and there is something unique about this one. The focus of the story is not on the trauma of having to suddenly leave your home or lose your mother, though those themes are present in the narrative. Instead the focus is on friendship, care and safety. The close-ups hone in on sheltering arms, a comfortable cozy “bed” for Pebble. The overall effect is the safe care Lubna gives Pebble. Lubna falls asleep in her Daddy’s salty arms and continues holding onto her pebble. Daniel Egnéus, the illustrator, portrays the father as huge, tall and comforting with broad shoulders and muscular arms. Egnéus has purposely created interesting perspectives, where the reader’s eyes are at the level of a child and must look up at the giant hand holding the small palm or large outstretched arms asking for a hug. There is no doubt that Lubna feels safe and secure with her Daddy. Another lovely book. The artwork is amazing. I can see this being nominated for a Caldecott. It makes loose allusions, but I think this is about a girl in a refugee camp, but it never says that. A girl ends up somewhere from a boat with her dad. They live in tents and she remembers her family. That is all pretty much alluded too. Lubna finds a pebble on the beach and she befriends it and draws a smile on the pebble. She tells it everything, her memories and fears and hopes. Eventually, another kid shows up and they become friends too. At the end of the story Lubna and her dad are moving on to somewhere and she has to say goodbye to her new friend. So, let me follow one train of thought–that of taking some sort of action to reduce stress. At present the faculty in my Division of Education is reading a book about mindfulness. The chapter we discussed today is on positivity and actions we can take to “talk ourselves off the ledge” instead of spiraling down into negativity. The story of Lubna is a great example of a little girl taking some sort of action to change her circumstances to the degree she could. At the risk of sounding like a Pollyanna, a small girl took a small action and cared for a small pebble–all with a big impact on both her emotions and those of fellow refugee Amir.Lubna’s best friend is a pebble. Pebble always listens to her stories. Pebble always smiles when she feels scared. But when a lost little boy arrives in the World of Tents, Lubna realizes that he needs Pebble even more than she does. When Amir arrives to the World of Tents, Lubna will explore and play with him, but Pebble is still her best friend. But once it is time to leave, maybe the boy, Amir, could use Pebble’s friendship more. It is such a generous fare-thee-well gift; the exchange is marvelously sweet.

By Susan Corapi, Trinity International University, Deerfield, IL, and Deanna Day, Washington State University, Vancouver, WA Adults know that one of the best things a good book can do is engender empathy in the reader. The beautiful relationships depicted here will touch readers. In addition, this book provides a perfect opening for discussing the ever-growing refugee crisis and the immense challenges faced by displaced people, desperately in need of humanity, compassion and refuge. Finally, this book personalises and dignifies a child and her father. It shows how, even in conditions of deprivation, we can still show love and compassion for others less fortunate.DEANNA: The illustrations. Daniel Egnéus’ artwork is breathtaking–one can’t help but see how special pebble is to these two children. Both Amir’s and Lubna’s eyes, facial expressions and careful touch, display so much. In LUBNA AND PEBBLE, Lubna’s best friend is a pebble, found the night she landed in a World of Tents with her father. Pebble smiles at her when she is scared, and as long as Pebble and her dad are with her, Lubna knows she is safe. Pebble, simply put, is Lubna’s confidante – the only one she has to talk with besides her father.