Our Pebbles: By Jarvis, the award-winning picture-book maker of THE BOY WITH FLOWERS IN HIS HAIR

By Author / Illustrator

Jarvis

Genre

Family & Home

Age range(s)

Publisher

Walker Books

ISBN

9781529532913

Format

Paperback / softback

Published

04-06-2026

Synopsis

From Jarvis, author-illustrator of the award-winning The Boy with Flowers in His Hair, comes a picture book that explores joyful, pure and wind-swept memories on a pebble beach between a grandad and grandson.

A gorgeous book for children to share with grandad, Jarvis captures the kind of golden childhood memory that you carry with you, as comforting as holding a warm, smooth pebble in your hand. And when life changes, and people change, these pebbles stay with you always.

With sweets stuffed in their pockets, a boy and his grandad take the trip down to the beach: through the wonky woods, across the railway track - stopping for a chat with the spotty dogs! - over the stile, and there . . . peeking out beyond the dunes, the sea and "their" beach. They pick pebbles, wash them clean in the waves and paint their memories from the day, placing them in a special place - a secret place.

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Reviews

Sue

This poignant story, written through the eyes of a young boy, recalls the visits he and his grandfather took to the beach. From the journey through the Wonky Woods, over the stile where Grandad warned him to be careful not to hit his head on the sky to painting pebbles whilst sitting in 'The Jolly Dancer', an old boat on the beach, every moment was special.

However, one day, Grandad moves away and the little boy misses him and the time they spent together, so his mam takes him to Pebble Beach and, led by the boy, they choose pebbles to paint and take to Grandad as they visit him in his new home.

Our Pebbles is a very tender and moving picture book which captures the lasting beauty of shared moments and how these create the memories which stay with us, even when things change or those we love leave us. The warmth and love shared by the little boy and his Grandad glows through both illustration and text as 'silly old Grandad' makes his little jokes, plays with and cares for his grandson, making him feel safe and special as he fills his days with joy.

The sadness felt by the little boy when the two are no longer able to share these outings is tempered by the happiness the memories bring, even years later when the pebbles are 'a little faded, but still there'. The joys of a day outside, exploring and engaging in imaginative play, are also clearly shown on these pages as Grandad and his grandson bond through their adventures. A really delightful and moving story!

Picture book / Reviewed by Sue Wilsher, teacher