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If You Like...Name Books

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One of the most common questions asked is, "What's your name?" Your name is a gift you are given when you are born, and whether you like your name or not, your name is how the world will identify you. Your name can also reveal details about your culture, ethnicity, or background and ultimately your name helps you develop your sense of self. Here are some name books that celebrate names, cultures and you.

My Name 
Written by Supriya Kelkar
Illustrated by Sandhya Prabhat
New York: Farrar Straus Giroux, 2023. Picture Book.

A young Indian American boy is excited for his first day of school, but when kids at school mispronounce his name and then giggle, his excitement dims. He goes home from school discouraged and sad. His parents remind him of how special he is and that his name is a reflection of his family and culture. The young boy returns to school the next day proud of who he is and determined to teach others how to say his name respectfully and correctly. 

A perfect book to read on the first day of school to teach children and adults the importance of names and why we should be considerate of others by learning to say names correctly. 


Say My Name
Written by Joanna Ho
Illustrated by Khoa Le
New York: HarperCollins Publishers, 2023. Picture Book.

In this beautiful picture book we learn about six children with unique names from all over the world. Each child in the story asks the reader to, "Say my name" and to say it correctly, for, "Anything less is not me." In the story, the reader learns that saying someone's name correctly is a sign of respect not only to them but to their family. It's important to remember our past and to celebrate the history of others and to honor their culture by pronouncing names correctly.

At the end of the book readers can find a pronunciation guide which teaches the importance of tones and cadences. Read the book and celebrate what makes us all unique and beautiful.


Your Name Is a Song
Written by Jamilah Thompkins-Bigelow
Illustrated by Luisa Uribe
Seattle, WA: The Innovation Press, 2020. Picture Book.

A poetic and profound picture book that addresses the importance of a name and the meaning behind each beautiful and unique name. This book is a love letter to all those children whose names get stuck in people's mouths because they have trouble pronouncing them. 

The importance of learning how to pronounce someone's name correctly is emphasized. A wonderful book about the significance of a name and it's representation of a culture and heritage. 


Chrysanthemum
By Kevin Henkes
New York: Greenwillow Books, 1991. Picture Book.

Chrysanthemum loves her name and it's perfect for her - until the first day of school. When the other kids at school tease her about her name she begins to wonder if her name is as perfect as she thought. Chrysanthemum eventually learns that it's okay to be different and to love her unique name.

A perfect book for the first week of school to start a discussion about how to be kind to other classmates and be respectful of names. 

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