I’ve featured some of these before but I thought I’d have a big list in one place! Books about names are important even if they aren’t necessarily musical. There are thousands of names out there and they are all different and special. It’s important that students know their name is important. Saying a space is “safe” doesn’t mean anything without actions to back it up. Without acknowledging their real names (aka – not giving nicknames), or pronouncing a name incorrectly, we inadvertently tell that student they aren’t important. Name books are a great way to open conversations about who our students are, to start making connections right out of the gate, and help them feel like our classroom is a space they ARE welcome.
Full disclosure: some affiliate links but it won’t change your price. No pressure!
That’s Not My Name
Author, Illustrator: Anoosha Syed
ISBN: 978-0593405178
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In this book, Mirha is excited for school but her new friends mispronounce her name. She goes back the next day ready to teach them how to pronounce it correctly!
Joyful Song: A Naming Story
Author: Lesléa Newman
Illustrator: Susan Gal
ISBN: 978-1646143702
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This book is about a little boy who invites people he passes to his baby sister’s naming ceremony.
The Boy Who Tried to Shrink His Name
Author: Sandhya ParappukkaranI
Illustrator: Michelle Pereira
ISBN: 978-1419761584
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This book is about Zimdalamashkermishkada who attempts to go by a nickname that doesn’t feel quite right.
Your Name is a Song
Author: Jamilah Thompkins-Bigelow
Illustrator: Luisa Uribe
ISBN: 978-1943147724
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This well known book in the music ed community is a great way to help students hear the musicality of their own names.
The Name Jar
Author, Illustrator: Yangsook Choi
ISBN: 978-0440417996
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This book is about Unhei who is anxious about teaching American students her Korean name. Instead she picks an American name every day to go by until a new friend helps her feel empowered.
Yefferson, Actually (En Realized, es Yefferson)
Author: Katherine Trejo, Scott Martin-Rowe
Illustrator: Karla Monterrosa
ISBN: 978-1947971677
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This bilingual book is about a boy named Yefferson who learns it’s ok to correct his friends and others when they say his name incorrectly and telling them where his name comes from.
Becoming Vanessa
Author, Illustrator: Vanessa Brantley-Newton
ISBN: 978-0525582120
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This is a story about a little girl feeling out of place because she stands out for her name and her outfit and learning to feel proud of what her name means.
Say My Name
Author: Joanna Ho
Illustrator: Khoa Le
ISBN: 978-0063205338
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This awesome book by one of my favorites, Joanna Ho, is a great introduction to multicultural names and reminder that there heritage behind the names, languages, and cultures they represent.
Alma and How She Got Her Name
Author, Illustrator: Juana Martinez-Neal
ISBN: 978-0763693558
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This book is about a little girl who has six names and how they were important in naming her.
Always Anjali
Author: Sheeran Sheth
Illustrator: Jessica Blank
ISBN: 978-0593648834
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This one is a great book about finding pride in the name you have. After Anjali can’t find a personalized trinket she wants a new name but when her parents say no, she finds out who she is beyond just the name.
Tomatoes in My Lunchbox
Author: Costantia Manoli
Illustrator: Magdalena Mora
ISBN: 978-1250763129
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This is a book about a name not rolling off of others’ tongues and fitting in as an immigrant.
My Name is Saajin Singh
Author: Kuljinder Kaur Brar
Illustrator: Samarath Kaur
ISBN: 978-1773217055
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This is a great book to help students know it’s ok to correct others if their name is pronounce incorrectly.
Thao
Author, Illustrator: Thao Lam
ISBN: 978-1771474320
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An autobiography about a name that people don’t say correctly, and being comfortable with yourself
Teach Us Your Name
Author: Huda Essa
Illustrator: Diana Cojocaru
ISBN: 978-0692695326
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A great simple book with a great message. Check out the reviews on this one!
My Name is Cool
Author: Antonio Sacre
Illustrator: Sarah Demonteverde
ISBN: 978-1641706575
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This sweet book is about a boy who takes the nicknames he is given as part of his name and introduces himself that way on the first day of school. Wait until you find out what the principal does!
My Name is Long as a River
Author: Suma Subramaniam
Illustrator: Tara Anand
ISBN: 978-0593522936
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This book is about Kaveri Thanjavur Jayalakshmi Ganesan who would rather go by a short name. This new book helps convey the message of pride in how some children get very long names.
I hope this has given you some ideas for name books!
