"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)
"Together, [Joanna Ho and Khoa Le] create an affirming, uplifting work focused on how correct pronunciation honors and respects" --Publishers Weekly (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.
An Amazon Best Books of the Month pick for October!
A Common Sense Selection for Books pick with the "Families" designation!
An NCTE 2024 Notable Poetry Books and Verse Novel!
A CSMCL Best Book of 2023!
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Joanna Ho is passionate about equity in books and education. She has been an English teacher, a dean, and a teacher professional development mastermind. She is currently the vice principal of a high school in the San Francisco Bay Area. Homemade chocolate chip cookies, outdoor adventures, and dance parties with her kids make Joanna's eyes crinkle into crescent moons. Her books for young readers include Eyes That Kiss in the Corners. Visit her at www.joannahowrites.com and @JoannaHoWrites.
Khoa Le is based in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, and the author and illustrator of numerous picture books, including Say My Name by Joanna Ho. Her work can be described as whimsical and dreamy with a bit of fantasy. She is the winner of the Grand Prize Samsung KidsTime Authors Award (Singapore) and the second runner-up for the Scholastic Picture Book Award (Singapore). Visit her at khoaleartwork.com.
"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 and Library Journal -- School Library Journal
"A celebratory story that embraces identities and the beautiful origins behind one's name." -- 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
"Together, [Joanna Ho and Khoa Le] create an affirming, uplifting work focused on how correct pronunciation honors and respects" -- Publishers Weekly (starred review)
