Stepping Stones: A Refugee Family's Journey

By Margriet Ruurs and Nizar Ali Badr

This unique picture book was inspired by the stone artwork of Syrian artist Nizar Ali Badr, discovered by chance by Canadian children’s writer Margriet Ruurs. The author was immediately impressed by the strong narrative quality of Mr. Badr’s work, and, using many of Mr. Badr’s already-created pieces, she set out to create a story about the Syrian refugee crisis. Stepping Stones tells the story of Rama and her family, who are forced to flee their once-peaceful village to escape the ravages of the civil war raging ever closer to their home. With only what they can carry on their backs, Rama and her mother, father, grandfather and brother, Sami, set out to walk to freedom in Europe. Nizar Ali Badr’s stunning stone images illustrate the story.

Orca Book Publishers is pleased to offer this book as a dual-language (English and Arabic) edition.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Orca Book Publishers
• Release date: Oct 18, 2016
• ISBN: 9781459814929

Margriet Ruurs

Margriet Ruurs is the author of many award-winning books for children. She enjoys speaking about reading and writing to students at schools around the world. Her adventures have taken her to such countries as Myanmar, Pakistan, Laos, Tanzania and many others. Margriet was born in the Netherlands but has been a Canadian for most of her life. She lives with her family on Salt Spring Island, British Columbia.

Book preview

Reviews for Stepping Stones

[jenw1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

The text is simple, and mostly what you would expect a refugee story to be. The art, however, will touch your soul. Through the medium of rocks, the reader feels the fear and despair, the relief, the joy, and the uncertainty. A great introduction to the refugee crisis for kids.

[meditationesmartini · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

The stone art is done by a Syrian artist, and the story is about a refugee family coming from Syria to Canada, and it doesn't really pull its punches considering it's for small children, but then probably it shouldn't you know? Probably this is the best way to stretch our small children a little.

[livingtech_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Love the stone art in this book. It's a sad story, with a lovely introduction telling the story of how the book came to be.

[firstday-2 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This story of a family fleeing their war-torn home is illustrated with riveting pebble mosaics by Syrian artist, Nizar Ali Badr,. The story is simple, compelling with universal themes of family, home and welcoming the stranger. Written in English and Arabic. Suitable for preschool, K and younger elementary.

[book58lover · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

A stunningly beautiful book illustrated completely with stones. The artwork is incredible and tells the story without words. I particularly like the Arabic writing which gave it another layer of art.This book can be used with children when discussing refugees and war without making it frightful or horrific.

[nbmars · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

The author came upon the art work of the Syrian artist Nizar Ali Badr on the internet and, as a note at the end of the book explains, “saw the opportunity to both raise funds to help Syrian refugees and bring the work of Mr. Badr to a wider audience.” Thus she created this story about a Syrian family that decides to leave their home “in search of a place to be free, to live and laugh, to love again. In search of a place where bombs did not fall, where people did not die on their way to market.”They walked and walked, and “at last we came to our future.” This family was considered to be one of the lucky ones. They have “new memories, new hopes, new dreams. Not of war, but of peace.”The story is told in both English and Arabic. At the end of the book, there is information on both the author and the illustrator, and a list of ideas for what people in North America can do to make a difference.The book reports that Ali Badr lives in a relatively safe area by the seashore near the ancient port city of Ugarit. He spends much of time roaming the beach, gathering stones, and bringing them home to his rooftop studio. You can watch a video below showing how he constructs his images.Evaluation: The text isn’t perhaps as compelling as it could be, but it is dwarfed in any event by the amazing artwork. Who would have imagined anyone could convey so much, including emotions, through stones?