Say My Name
By John Sooja,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
Diverse cultures, names in beautiful, lyrical picture book.
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What's the Story?
In SAY MY NAME, six children from six different cultures -- Chinese, Tongan, Persian, Diné, Nahua, and Ghanaian Akan -- talk about their names, where they come from, and why their names are important to them. Each child gets two, two-page spreads of text and illustrations to demonstrate their name meanings and cultural relevance. A handy pronunciation guide is provided at the back of the book, along with extra information about each child's name and culture.
Is It Any Good?
This colorful, painterly, and lyrical picture book is quite simply, lovely. Each child in Say My Name, is depicted with tender care and positivity. In culturally affirming prose and intricate, color saturated art, each child's name and cultural heritage unfolds over a few pages. 'Ofā Kīvaha Tupoumālohi, the child from Tonga, shares that she was born while her father "crossed the sea," so illustrations show her ancestors sailing on fierce waves and herself swimming with a whale. When Bijan Hosseini, the child from Persia, is introduced he says his name represents the "poetry of his people" and the "weaving" of "tapestries of history," and illustrations of beautiful tapestries billow and flow all around him. And when Akosua Acheampong, the Akan child from Ghana, talks about the rhythms of drums, illustrations of drumming and dancing envelope her as she dances along to the music of her culture. The reverence given to each child's name is a gentle invitation to young readers to offer the same respect for other kids' names and family cultures.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the importance of saying names right. In Say My Name, why do kids want everyone to say their names correctly? What does it mean for them that people learn their names?
How would you feel if people never learned how to say your name or called you something other than your actual name because it's easier for them?
What is the story behind your name? Have your parents told you why you are named what you are named?
Book Details
- Author: Joanna Ho
- Illustrator: Khoa Le
- Genre: Picture Book
- Topics: Activism , Great Boy Role Models , Great Girl Role Models , History
- Character Strengths: Communication , Gratitude , Integrity
- Book type: Fiction
- Publisher: Harper
- Publication date: September 26, 2023
- Publisher's recommended age(s): 4 - 8
- Number of pages: 40
- Available on: Hardback, iBooks, Kindle
- Award: Common Sense Selection
- Last updated: October 11, 2023
Did we miss something on diversity?
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