Time Magazine applauds story about refugees

A story about the global refugee crisis by an Exeter University author is one of the best children's books of 2019, according to internationally acclaimed Time Magazine.

Lubna and Pebble, by Dr Wendy O’Shea-Meddour, is being used across the world to open difficult conversations about what it means to be a refugee. Illustrated by Daniel Egneus, the main character Lubna lands in a “world of tents” and tells her best friend, a pebble, everything about her “home” and “the war”. Even in desperate times, she manages to support another little boy and pass on a message of friendship and hope.

As well as receiving global recognition in Time Magazine, during the last few months, it has also been nominated for the CLIP Kate Greenaway Award, shortlisted for the UKLA Awards, shortlisted for the Teach Primary Awards, and features on the US Library Association’s ‘Notable Book Award’ and the New York Library’s ‘Best Children’s Books of 2019’ list.

Lubna and Pebble, aimed at three-to-seven year-olds, is being used by teachers and carers in refugee camps across Greece to help children overcome traumatic experiences, but also to help children across the world better understand the plight of refugees. In the UK, this is being done in collaboration with organisations like Empathy Lab, and forms part of a sustained attempt to embed ‘empathy skills’ into the curriculum.

Dr O’Shea-Meddour, who teaches creative writing in the Department of English, says: “Before publication, many in the publishing industry considered Lubna and Pebble to be too ‘political’ for children. However, the global response has been overwhelming positive and shows that there is a real need for this sort of book.”

Dr O’Shea-Meddour is known for tackling difficult themes. She has published 18 children’s books and her latest, Tibble & Grandpa, addresses loss and grief, and like Lubna and Pebble is being used by organisations like Empathy Lab to support children and their families.

Dr O’Shea-Meddour, who is also carrying out research on the role picture books have on children’s mental health and wellbeing, said: “We are yet to fully understand how stories help children process and understand the more frightening realities of this world, but I am delighted to be at the centre of this research.”