Naming Ceremony: A Picture Book

by Seina Wedlick, Jenin Mohammed (Illustrator)

Overview

A sweet sibling picture-book story all about making family traditions your own—perfect for fans of Alma and How She Got Her Name and Welcome to the Party.

Today’s the day! It’s Baby Sister’s naming ceremony, and big sister Amira could not be more excited. She has the perfect name picked out . . . or, at least, she hopes it’s the perfect name.

One by one, friends and family arrive. As Amira greets them, she asks what name they have brought to give to Baby Sister. Each is more beautiful than the last—Shakira, Akahana, Uhwe. And each has its own special meaning—thankful, red flower, moonlight. Amira knows that Baby Sister will love these names. But will she love the name Amira has chosen? Is it special enough?

Written by Seina Wedlick and beautifully illustrated in full color by Jenin Mohammed, Naming Ceremony is a story about rich traditions and the unique bond between sisters, celebrating a multigenerational Nigerian family and Black joy.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781419756269
Publisher:	Abrams Books for Young Readers
Publication date:	04/11/2023
Pages:	40
Sales rank:	1,085,167
Product dimensions:	9.50(w) x 9.80(h) x 0.40(d)
Age Range:	4 - 8 Years

About the Author

Seina Wedlick originally hails from Nigeria, but now makes her home in California. When not writing or working on special projects, Seina can be found exploring or spending time on the beach with her husband and children who each have several names. She also enjoys visiting bookstores and collecting postcards. Naming Ceremony is her first book.

Editorial Reviews

02/27/2023

Nigerian-born author Wedlick centers a West African name-giving tradition in this endearing debut, a tender sibling story that meaningfully celebrates extended family and ancestral tradition. Big sister Amira is excited about her baby sister’s naming ceremony, but she’s unsure how to choose a name. “Think of something meaningful that you would want her to have. A blessing, a wish, a story,” says Mama. As the baby naps, Amira welcomes friends and family, who each reveal the gifts and names they plan to give baby sister. Grandma Nana, who arrives with the cousins, plans to bestow the name Shakira, meaning thankful. Uncle Ali, a storyteller, plans to offer up Uhwe, the word for moonlight—when stories are best told. After baby sister awakens and the girls’ parents reveal the moniker they have chosen, each guest names the infant, until it’s Amira’s turn. Patterned digital and mixed-media illustrations from Mohammad (Song in the City) energetically visualize domestic images of the family, portrayed as Black, and their guests, depicted with various skin tones, in this buoyant, familial story about passing on blessings that incorporates myriad intergenerational customs. An author’s note details the tradition behind the ceremony. Ages 4–8. Author’s agent: Alice Fugate, while at Trident Media Group. Illustrator’s agent: Christy Ewers, CAT Agency. (Apr.)

Publishers Weekly

2023-03-29
Amira wants to bestow the perfect name on her baby sister.

True to tradition in many West African countries, Amira’s family has planned a big celebration, complete with food and gifts, for the naming of their new arrival. But the baby doesn’t get just one name; everyone who comes can give her a name, and as she grows, each attendee can either call her their special name or use the name her parents have given her. Grandma Nana, who has dark brown skin like Amira, is gifting the name Shakira, meaning thankful; Amira’s friend Miki gives the baby the name Akahana, Japanese for bright red flower, and appropriately brings along a red flower. The naming ceremony begins—Habiba, or beloved, is the name chosen by Mama and Papa. Though Amira is unsure how her name measures up, at last she proudly names her Otta, or friend. Amira, Mama, Papa, and the baby wear bright blue fabric with golden yellow patterns on it resembling gingko leaves, and though Grandma Nana wears a deep pink dress, it also has the same leaf pattern—identifying them as family. This informative and impactful story gives young readers a window into how West Africans welcome new children into their family. Mohammed’s digitally rendered mixed-media images capture the joyous mood of the gathering. (This book was reviewed digitally.)

A wonderful story of a family’s cultural tradition shared with the whole community. (author’s note) (Picture book. 3-8)

Kirkus Reviews