Say My Name
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- $11.99
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- $11.99
Publisher Description
"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!
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
In a picture book that weaves ancestral and cultural identity into a fluid, rhythmic narrative, six children—of Chinese, Tongan, Persian, Diné, Nahua, and Ghanaian Akan descent—share the origins of their given names. "Each syllable,/ each sound,/ is a building block/ in an architecture/ constructed over oceans/ and across generations. Say my name," Ho begins. On each page, one child introduces their name alongside their forbears' legacy ("My family flows through me,/ pulling power from heaven/ with promises of peace/ and prosperity"). Le's velvety, intricately rendered images, meanwhile, use burgundy and teal tones to delineate expansive landscapes and patterned motifs. Together, they create an affirming, uplifting work focused on how correct pronunciation honors and respects: "Say my name./ Anything less/ is not/ me." A pronunciation guide concludes. Ages 4–8.
