Lubna and Pebble
When Lubna and her father arrive at a refugee settlement, Lubna finds comfort and friendship in a pebble she finds on the beach. She appreciates Pebble’s company as it listens to her with its hand-drawn, yet warm, smile. When Lubna meets Amir, a younger boy who has arrived at the settlement, she enjoys his company, while still maintaining her strong connection with Pebble. The day Lubna and her father prepare to leave for a new home is bittersweet. As Lubna says farewell to Amir, she makes a decision to leave Pebble in his care, in hopes that it brings him the same comfort during his journey as it did for her. This quiet story with simple text and beautiful illustrations sends a powerful message about resilience, compassion, and friendship.
Pennsylvania Center for the Book Awards
Book Activities & Discussion Ideas
Daniel Egnéus’ illustrations portray the physical and emotional hardships many refugees face as they leave their homelands to search for a better life. Children will empathize with Lubna’s fears but will be encouraged to learn that her pet rock brings Lubna feelings of comfort and safety. Creating a pet rock or pebble is a fun activity for children, and discussion about this story can enhance children’s experience. Adults can talk with children about ways to care for their pebble, as well as ways they can care for others. Children will enjoy using writing materials to create a pebble of their own, and adults can extend this activity by encouraging children in making positive message rocks for others. Children can decorate the rocks with a smile like Pebble, a picture, or a positive phrase. Children can decide to give their rock to a loved one or a person in need or, with the help of an adult, place them in the community for someone to discover. Adults can talk with children about how someone might feel when they receive or find the rock and about how Amir may have felt when Lubna shared Pebble with him.
Encourage adults to preview the story prior to reading with children by taking a picture walk. When focusing on text alone, a reader might miss aspects of the story revealed through the detailed illustrations. Adults can take time to observe each illustration and practice telling the story in their own words. What might they want to point out to children when reading? Lubna and Amir find comfort and security in Pebble. Ask adults if their child has a treasured belonging that he or she carries for comfort. Did reading Lubna’s story provide insight into their own child’s connection to this belonging?