That's Not My Name!

by Anoosha Syed Narrated by Dalia Ramahi

Overview

A debut picture book, adapted for audio, about loving your name, finding your voice, and standing up for yourself from the critically acclaimed illustrator of Bilal Cooks Daal and I Am Perfectly Designed.

Mirha is so excited for her first day of school! She can't wait to learn, play, and make new friends. But when her classmates mispronounce her name, she goes home wondering if she shound find a new one. Maybe then she'd be able to find a monogrammed keychain at the gas station or order a hot chocolate at the cafe more easily.
 
Mama helps Mirha to see how special her name is, and she returns to school the next day determined to help her classmates say it correctly--even if it takes a hundred tries.

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

A 2023 Blue Spruce Award Nominee
A Bank Street Best Books of the Year 2023 Selection

"Affirming and empowering; a story that will resonate with many children and a lot of adults, too."
-Kirkus Reviews

"Syed’s book uses clarity in the dialogue, the emotions, and in the intent, featuring only well-meaning teachers and children who want to get it right. Her illustrated school scenes are so familiar while Mirha’s posture translates her every feeling, with or without the text. . . A great first-day story for breaking the ice." -School Library Journal

"Saturated illustrations spotlight a candy-colored classroom environment, and classmates of varied abilities and skin tones, while accessible text offers a useful script that even invites readers to introduce themselves." -Publishers Weekly

Kirkus Reviews

2022-04-13
The first day of school is always hard—especially when your classmates can’t say your name.

Mirha is excited about her first day, raring to learn and play. But to her disappointment, she feels that she doesn’t quite fit in because her classmates and some of her teachers can’t pronounce her name correctly. When Mirha confesses to Mama that it might just be easier to change her name, her mother tells her why her name is special. Armed with this knowledge, Mirha decides to take action the very next day. Featuring wide-eyed, adorable youngsters, Syed’s illustrations are endearing, and the text is thought-provoking yet fun. As Mirha struggles to explore her many feelings, there’s plenty of space for empathy and giggles. In the same vein as Juana Martinez-Neal’s Alma and How She Got Her Name,this book celebrates a child’s unique identity while conveying the message that getting other people’s names right is important. Syed recognizes that it can be daunting but rewarding to speak up if one’s name is mispronounced—and that it becomes easier over time. Mirha and her family are brown-skinned and cued as South Asian; her classmates are diverse. (This book was reviewed digitally.)

Affirming and empowering; a story that will resonate with many children and a lot of adults, too. (Picture book. 3-5)

Product Details

BN ID:	2940176101584
Publisher:	Penguin Random House
Publication date:	07/12/2022
Edition description:	Unabridged
Age Range:	8 - 11 Years

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