Lubna and Pebble

Lubna and her father have come ashore in a new country, where they're housed in a tent city. Lubna's best friend is a pebble she picked up on the beach, "shiny and smooth and gray," made cheerier by the happy face she draws on it with a marker: "Lubna told Pebble everything. About her brothers. About home. About the war." After a small boy named Amir arrives, Lubna and Pebble befriend him. Then Lubna's father announces that they're leaving for a new home, and Amir despairs. Following a sleepless night, the girl knows what she must to do to comfort him. Spacious, soaring spreads by Egnéus (Raven Child and the Snow-Witch) add flashes of imaginative escape to the poignant story by Meddour (The Glump and the Peeble). He shows the action from Lubna's point of view, rendering interactions between her and Pebble in intimate close-ups, while Lubna's father and other adults tower protectively above them. In a particularly inventive touch, Amir's shadow appears as a pomegranate tree; when he receives Lubna's gift, it bursts into color in a magical expression of gratitude. The story addresses a difficult subject but stays focused on hope. Ages 4-8. (Mar.)

Copyright 2019 Publishers Weekly, LLC Used with permission.

PreS-Gr 2--Lubna's best friend is a shiny and smooth gray pebble. It was the first thing she found when she and her father arrived in their new country, just before they landed in the World of Tents. As she navigates this new world, Lubna knows with certainty that her daddy and Pebble will keep her safe. Pebble smiles up at Lubna and always listens when she tells stories of home, her brothers, and the war. Pebble brings Lubna comfort when everything else is uncertain. When a young boy named Amir arrives at the tent village, Pebble acts as a bridge between the two children, and they soon become close friends. Shortly after, when Lubna and her father have found a new home, Lubna must leave her new friend behind, and she realizes that Amir may need the pebble and the comfort it brings even more than she does. This tale begins and ends with stunning illustrations full of emotion. This heartrending and beautiful picture book explores the long, hard journey that displaced families endure and also reminds us of the power of friendship, especially in the face of uncertainty. VERDICT A truly important story about the refugee crisis and the power of friendship. Highly recommended.--Elizabeth Blake, Brooklyn Public Library

Copyright 2019 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

"A timely story of displacement, loss, friendship and kindness—universal messages with timeless appeal."—Booklist, starred review

"The larger-than-life, almost dreamy illustrations show readers what Lubna sees and feels, and the rawness of both text and images penetrates the heart. . . . A true celebration of the endless creativity and resilience of children."—Kirkus Reviews, starred review

"Spacious, soaring spreads by Egnéus add flashes of imaginative escape to the poignant story by Meddour. . . . The story addresses a difficult subject but stays focused on hope."—Publishers Weekly

"Meddour's short, simple sentences pack an emotional punch. . . . This tender, understated story honors the emotional resilience of young people."—Horn Book

"A truly important story about the refugee crisis and the power of friendship. Highly recommended."—School Library Journal