Say My Name
by Joanna Ho (Author) Khoa Le (Illustrator)
"In moving, lyrical prose, the book celebrates the beauty and sounds of each name alongside their culture of origin. The author builds a strong case that everyone should embrace their names and honor and learn those with which they may not be familiar." --Kirkus Reviews (starred review)
"A moving title that honors its readers and encourages them to feel confident in their cultural identities." --School Library Journal
"A celebratory story that embraces identities and the beautiful origins behind one's name." --ALA Booklist
"In this powerful picture book, Ho's poetic prose and Le's expressive folk-art illustrations explore the beauty of embracing all identities and cultures"--Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books
New York Times bestselling author Joanna Ho, of Eyes That Kiss in the Corners, creates a meaningful and diverse picture book about how names define us.Names reveal generational ties and histories, weaving an intricate tale of the past.
Names--and correctly saying them--are important. Each one carries the hopes, dreams, and traditions of those who came before us.Six children connect with the reader and proudly celebrate their names and backgrounds: Hé Xiao-Guang, Ofa Kivaha Tupoumalohi, Bijan Hosseini, Nizhoni Yazzie, Xóchitl Luna, and Akosua Acheampong.
These captivating kids of Chinese, Tongan, Persian, Navajo, Mexican, and Ghanaian descent also honor their ancestors and cultural histories.Joanna Ho's lyrical story, with gorgeous illustrations by Khoa Le, explains how saying a person's name is the only way we can truly know another.
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A celebratory story that embraces identities and the beautiful origins behind one's name.
School Library Journal
Gr 1-3--Many children understand the frustration and pain that comes with having a name that their teachers, doctors, and other adults outside of their families cannot seem to correctly pronounce. The book takes that experience very seriously, offering its readers an opportunity to take pride in the beautiful origins of their names. Children from several underrepresented cultures, from Tongan to Persian, can be found in this title and each celebrates their names and the meanings behind them. The text is gorgeously lyrical, as lovingly constructed as the illustrations that accompany it, depicting the characters in their native landscapes, surrounded by patterns inspired by the art of their people. Readers and educators alike will be delighted to see the back matter that includes how to correctly pronounce these names they've learned so much about. Ho, acknowledging that she is writing outside of her own culture and experiences, credits the different people that helped bring life to this book. She has quickly become a go-to source for affirming children's literature, and her adoration for her growing audience of young readers is etched into every page. VERDICT A moving title that honors its readers and encourages them to feel confident in their cultural identities.--Alexandra Quay
Copyright 2023 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.Review quotes
n this powerful picture book, Ho's poetic prose and Le's expressive folk-art illustrations explore the beauty of embracing all identities and cultures. — Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books
JUV012020 - Juvenile Fiction | Fairy Tales & Folklore | Country & Ethnic - General
JUV074000 - Juvenile Fiction | Diversity & Multicultural
Identity (Psychology)
Picture books
Self-perception
Names, Personal
Names
