Children’s Books About Names
Our names are important pieces of our identity. Personally, I don’t like when others try to shorten my name—it’s the name that was given to me, and I love it! For many, names are passed down through generations, and have significant cultural meaning. In these children’s books, the characters are learning the beauty of their names. Whether you’re a Sam or a Maxamiliano, I think you and the child in your life will love these!
Your Name is a Song
Written by: Jamilah Thompkins-Bigelow
Illustrated by: Luisa Uribe
Call Number: E Thompkins-Bigelow
Summary: Frustrated by a day full of teachers and classmates mispronouncing her beautiful name, a little girl tells her mother she never wants to come back to school. In response, the girl’s mother teaches her about the musicality of African, Asian, Black-American, Latinx and Middle Eastern names on their lyrical walk home through the city. Empowered by this newfound understanding, the young girl is ready to return the next day to share her knowledge with her class.
My Name is Ai Lin
Written by: Maria Wen Adcock
Illustrated by: Yu Ting Cheng
Call Number: E Adcock
Summary: When Ai Lin starts school, she helps her classmates learn to pronounce her Chinese name and shows them that her name is not just a sound but a meaningful part of her identity and heritage.
Alma and How She Got Her Name
Written & Illustrated by: Juana Martinez-Neal
Call Number: E Martinez-Neal, J
Summary: When Alma Sofia Esperanza José Pura Candela asks her father why she has so many names, she hears the story of her name and learns about her grandparents.
The Boy Who Tried to Shrink His Name
Written by: Sandhya Parappukkaran
Illustrated by: Michelle Pereira
Call Number: E Parappukkaran
Summary: When Zimdalamashkermishkada starts a new school, he decides to shrink his name to the shorter, simpler Zim, but when his new friend Elly sees him for who he truly is, Zimdalamashkermishkada finds the confidence to step proudly into his long name.
Thunder Boy Jr.
Written by: Sherman Alexie
Illustrated by: Yuyi Morales
Call Number: E Alexie S
Summary: Thunder Boy Jr. wants a normal name… one that’s all his own. Dad is known as big Thunder, but Little Thunder doesn’t want to share a name. He wants a name that celebrates something cool he’s done like Touch the Clouds, Not Afraid of Ten Thousand Teeth, or Full of Wonder. But just when Little Thunder thinks all hope is lost, dad picks the best name.