A children\u2019s book written by a renowned author at the University of Exeter has been named as one of the most \u2018essential\u2019 titles of the genre.<\/p>\n
Lubna and Pebble, by Professor Wendy O\u2019Shea-Meddour<\/a>, and illustrated by Daniel Egn\u00e9us, was chosen by The Atlantic as one of its 65 most essential children\u2019s books<\/a>.<\/p>\n The 2019 story about a child refugee who finds comfort and friendship in a pebble was described by the magazine as \u201coffering \u2018a child\u2019s view of a global crisis\u201d and was praised for the way it reminds readers \u201cthat friendship and tenderness can flourish even in frightening situations\u201d.<\/p>\n It was listed alongside notable classics of the genre, including Where the Wild Things Are, Miffy and Green Eggs and Ham.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m thrilled and deeply honoured \u2013 if a little surprised \u2013 to see Lubna and Pebble included on The Atlantic\u2019s list of \u2018essential reads\u2019,\u201d said Professor O\u2019Shea-Meddour, Director of Creative Writing in the Department of English and Creative Writing. \u201cMany of the books featured meant a great deal to me as a child, and I never imagined I would ever write something mentioned alongside Where the Wild Things Are and The Very Hungry Caterpillar!<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ve written more than 30 children\u2019s books over the years, but I think Lubna and Pebble continues to resonate because it speaks to something much bigger than any single story: namely, the way children are negatively affected by conflicts they had no part in creating.\u201d<\/p>\n In compiling its list, The Atlantic set out to look for books that were, in its words, \u201cmind-expanding, psychologically astute, vividly illustrated, and fun\u201d, and which were pitched at children transitioning to independent reading.<\/p>\n The publication consulted authors, librarians, and other experts before drawing up their chronological list, spanning 1936 to 2024. In so doing, it also analysed some of the trends evident in children\u2019s literature, from the bold colours and \u201cloopier\u201d styles of the 1960s and 70s, to the wider array of stories from the 21st century \u2013 among them, Lubna\u2019s exploration of migration.<\/p>\n \u201cFor me, that thread of hope is always central,\u201d adds Professor O\u2019Shea-Meddour. \u201cChildren\u2019s honesty, resilience, and emotional intelligence in the face of adversity continues to inspire me. It\u2019s one of the reasons I write from a child\u2019s perspective. To put it simply, I think children are often wiser than adults. Just look at the state of the world \u2013 it\u2019s clear we have a lot to learn from them.\u201d<\/p>\n