SJPL Picks: Picture Books About Names

Say My Name

by Ho, Joanna

Book - 2023

Six people from different corners of the world celebrate the history, culture, and beauty behind their names. Six people from different corners of the world celebrate the history, culture, and beauty behind their names. Show less

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That's Not My Name!

by Syed, Anoosha

Book - 2022

Mirha questions her name after her classmates continually pronounce it wrong on the first day of school so her mother helps her to learn the significance of her name and to be proud of it. Mirha questions her name after her classmates continually pronounce it wrong on the first day of school so her mother helps her to learn the significance of her name and to be proud of it. Show less

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My Name Is A Story

by Ashanti

Book - 2022

First days aren't easy for a girl with a name like Ashanti. It feels like no one can pronounce it correctly! But with some encouragement from her mom, Ashanti spells her name and learns just how special it is. First days aren't easy for a girl with a name like Ashanti. It feels like no one can pronounce it correctly! But with some encouragement from her mom, Ashanti spells her name and learns just how special it is. Show less

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What's your Name?

by Murguia, Bethanie Deeney

Book - 2022

Names hold power. They can be a greeting, provide comfort, act as a warning, or honor our ancestors and heroes. Sometimes growing into a name, or selectin...Show more Names hold power. They can be a greeting, provide comfort, act as a warning, or honor our ancestors and heroes. Sometimes growing into a name, or selecting a new one, can take a little time. Names connect us to others and help create who we are and what makes us uniquely special. Show less

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Sona Sharma, Very Best Big Sister?

by Soundar, Chitra

Book - 2021

Sona Sharma's house is full of three generations of people who joke often and argue sometimes. One day Amma tells Sona that she is going to have a baby. I...Show more Sona Sharma's house is full of three generations of people who joke often and argue sometimes. One day Amma tells Sona that she is going to have a baby. Is that good? Sona isn't so sure. Despite Amma's assurance that the sky always has room for new stars, Sona doesn't feel stretchy or bighearted like the sky. But when she learns there will be a baby-naming ceremony, she's determined to find the best name for her new brother or sister--one as nice as her own, a Hindi word for "gold." Show less

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Your Name Is A Song

by Thompkins-Bigelow, Jamilah

Book - 2020

Saddened by her classmates' and teacher's mispronunciations of her name, a girl is empowered by her discovery that names are like songs when she and her mom celebrate the musicality of African, Asian, Black-American, Latinx, and Middle Eastern names. Saddened by her classmates' and teacher's mispronunciations of her name, a girl is empowered by her discovery that names are like songs when she and her mom celebrate the musicality of African, Asian, Black-American, Latinx, and Middle Eastern names. Show less

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Thao

by Lam, Thao

Book - 2021

"Thao" seems like a simple enough name. Only four letters--all of them belonging to many other names! And yet Thao had been called everything fr...Show more "Thao" seems like a simple enough name. Only four letters--all of them belonging to many other names! And yet Thao had been called everything from "Tail" to "Theo" to "Towel." At one point, completely fed up, she decided it was time to try another name. Something "easy." Something like "Jennifer". Show less

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G My Name Is Girl

by Masi, Dawn

Book - 2021

Illustrations and rhythmic text celebrate girls around the world and what makes each an individual, from adventurous Argentinians Alba and Ayelén, to zealous Zambians Zahra and Zena. Illustrations and rhythmic text celebrate girls around the world and what makes each an individual, from adventurous Argentinians Alba and Ayelén, to zealous Zambians Zahra and Zena. Show less

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I'm A Baked Potato!

by Primavera, Elise

Book - 2019

A small dog named Baked Potato is lost and searching for his lady owner, but neither the grumpy dog or the fox are helpful, and his strange name creates confusion--until owl explains that, whatever he is called, he is really a dog. A small dog named Baked Potato is lost and searching for his lady owner, but neither the grumpy dog or the fox are helpful, and his strange name creates confusion--until owl explains that, whatever he is called, he is really a dog. Show less

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A Name for Baby

by Boyd, Lizi

Book - 2018

When a baby mouse is born, her mother seeks just the right name in the gifts and advice of her neighbors. When a baby mouse is born, her mother seeks just the right name in the gifts and advice of her neighbors. Show less

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Hello, My Name Is

How Adorabilis Got His Name

by Polansky, Marisa

Book - 2018

A new creature is added to the deep-sea tank, but what will they call this flapjack octopus? Includes an author's note on Adorabilis and its name. A new creature is added to the deep-sea tank, but what will they call this flapjack octopus? Includes an author's note on Adorabilis and its name. Show less

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Alma and How She Got Her Name

by Martinez-Neal, Juana

Book - 2018

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. 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. Show less

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Thunder Boy Jr

by Alexie, Sherman

Book - 2016

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. 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. Show less

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My Name Is Elizabeth!

by Dunklee, Annika

Book - 2011

Elizabeth is tired of everyone shortening her first name and calling her Lizzie, Liz, or Beth, but suffers in silence, until one autumn day when her impatience gets the best of her and she learns an important lesson about tact and grace. Elizabeth is tired of everyone shortening her first name and calling her Lizzie, Liz, or Beth, but suffers in silence, until one autumn day when her impatience gets the best of her and she learns an important lesson about tact and grace. Show less

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René Has Two Last Names

by Colato Laínez, René

Book - 2009

In this story based on the author's childhood, a young Salvadoran immigrant is teased for having two last names until he presents his family tree project celebrating his heritage. In this story based on the author's childhood, a young Salvadoran immigrant is teased for having two last names until he presents his family tree project celebrating his heritage. Show less

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Yoko Writes Her Name

by Wells, Rosemary

Book - 2008

Kindergartner Yoko not only learns to write her letters and numbers in English, she shows her teacher and fellow students how to write their names using Japanese calligraphy. Kindergartner Yoko not only learns to write her letters and numbers in English, she shows her teacher and fellow students how to write their names using Japanese calligraphy. Show less

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My Name Is Yoon

by Recorvits, Helen

Book - 2003

Disliking her name as written in English, Korean-born Yoon, or "shining wisdom," refers to herself as "cat," "bird," and "cupcake," as a way to feel more comfortable in her new school and new country. Disliking her name as written in English, Korean-born Yoon, or "shining wisdom," refers to herself as "cat," "bird," and "cupcake," as a way to feel more comfortable in her new school and new country. Show less

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