Celebrating Names: Literature to Inspire Our Learners

We all know names matter. We take the time to pronounce our students' names correctly and understand that their names may reflect whom they were raised by, where they are from, their family's clan, or their relationships within their communities. Using our students' names accurately builds community and increases student engagement because it helps them to feel supported and comfortable in the classroom environment. If we don't take the time to pronounce names properly, which will often require lots of practice, we are disregarding the family and culture of the students.

The following children's books, along with our conscious work to pronounce names accurately and use them often, will help our students to take pride in their names as important parts of their cultural identity.

Book covers are linked to their Amazon shopping information.

Book titles are linked to their YouTube read-aloud version.

My Name is Bana by Bana Alabed

The moving picture book memoir by Bana Alabed, a seven-year-old girl from Aleppo, Syria, has made her an international symbol and advocate for refugee rights through her poignant messages to the world.

"I just want to live without fear." —Bana Alabed, Twitter, October 12, 2016

Bana Alabed, at the age of seven, began using Twitter to share the terrifying experiences she and her family faced in the war-ravaged city of Syria. Her powerful messages resonated globally, providing a voice for the millions of children caught in the crossfire.

Authored in her own voice, the book presents an intimate glimpse into a child's view of one of the largest humanitarian crises of our time. Despite losing her best friend, school, home, and country, Bana's hope remains unshaken—a hope she holds not only for herself but also for other children worldwide who are casualties and refugees of war, deserving of a better future.

Your Name is a Song by Jamilah Thompkins-Bigelow

After a day marred by the mispronunciation of her beautiful name, a young girl declares to her mother her refusal to return to school. Her mother, in turn, enlightens her about the melodic nature of names from African, Asian, Black-American, Latinx, and Middle Eastern cultures during their harmonious journey home. With this knowledge, the girl feels prepared to go back to school the following day, eager to educate her classmates. "Your Name is a Song" is a narrative that honors the elegance, heritage, and enchantment inherent in names.

The Name Jar by Yangsook Choi

This is a touching tale of a new girl in school learning to value her Korean name. Being the new student is challenging, especially when your name is unfamiliar to others. Recently arrived from Korea, Unhei feels the pressure to fit in. Rather than introduce herself with her Korean name on her first day, she contemplates adopting an American name from a jar. As she considers names like Suzy, Laura, or Amanda, none seem to suit her. Ultimately, with the support of a newfound friend, Unhei discovers that her own name is the most fitting.

Berry Song by Michaela Goade

Caldecott Medal winner Michaela Goade's debut as an author-illustrator is a tribute to the terrain she cherishes and the ancestral wisdom that guides her.

On an isle at the brink of an expansive, untamed sea, a young girl and her grandmother reap the earth's offerings. They harvest salmon from the brook, herring eggs from the sea, and a bounty of berries in the woods.

Salmonberry, Cloudberry, Blueberry, Nagoonberry.

Huckleberry, Snowberry, Strawberry, Crowberry.

As the seasons turn, their songs blend with the land's chorus. Overflowing with happiness and thankfulness, each step they take strengthens their bond with the planet and with the forebears who walked before them, joining the timeless melody that unites us all.

My Name Is Saajin Singh by Kuljinder Kaur Brar

Saajin adores his name so much that he finds it everywhere: in his snacks, across the sky, and sometimes he even sings it out loud. On his first day of school, he's eager to introduce himself to his new classmates. However, when his teacher mistakenly calls him Say-jin, Saajin is uncertain whether to correct her. After enduring the mispronunciation and reflecting on his name's significance with his family, Saajin understands the importance of owning his name and his identity. This inspiring tale, brought to life by Samrath Kaur's dynamic and colorful illustrations, will touch anyone who has ever felt misunderstood.

My Name is Sangoel by Karen Williams

Sangoel is a refugee from Sudan, carrying only his name—a proud Dinka name passed down from his father and grandfather—as his legacy after his father's death in the war. Upon arriving in the United States with his mother and sister, he finds everything unfamiliar and disconcerting. Amidst the hustle and bustle, the escalators, televisions, traffic, and snow, Sangoel bears the loneliness of being in a place where no one can pronounce his name correctly. Overcoming homesickness and isolation, he devises a clever way to help others say his name, and through this, he begins to feel a sense of belonging in his new home.

My Name is a Story by Ashanti 

Grammy Award-winning singer Ashanti presents an inspiring tale about a young girl who learns to cherish her distinctive name. Navigating the first days isn't easy for a girl named Ashanti, as it seems no one can say it right. However, with her mother's support, Ashanti proudly spells out her name, discovering its uniqueness. 'A' stands for awesome, 'S' for sunsets, 'H' for hand games, 'A' for art... Drawing from Ashanti's personal story, this charming picture book celebrates the happiness a child feels about her name, making it an ideal choice for classroom reading and story times everywhere.

‘Name’ Games & Activities

Sign It

Encourage students to practice signing their own names and the names of their friends. Over time, everyone can become proficient in signing each other's names. This approach not only helps in learning names but also serves as a fun introduction to sign language.

Guess Who

During this fun game, children will have the opportunity to take turns wearing a blindfold and identifying their classmates’ names solely by their voices. Each child will greet the guesser with a simple phrase such as “hello,” and the guesser will then try to correctly identify the speaker.

Before It Drops

To set up this game, all you'll need is a blanket or tarp. First, split the kids into two groups of equal size. Then, ask two students or adults to hold the blanket or tarp between the two groups. One person from each team should stand on either side of the "wall," and the first person to call out the other's name when the blanket or tarp drops is the winner!

Trading Cards

If your students are into collecting trading cards (you know, like Pokémon and baseball cards), they're going to have a blast with this cool name game. They can make their very own trading card featuring their name, a drawing or photo of themselves, and some fun facts about who they are. Afterward, they can swap cards with their friends to learn all sorts of fun stuff about each other. And don't forget to make a card for the teachers and other staff too!

Blizzard

Ask the kids to write their names on a piece of paper along with an interesting fact about themselves. Next, they can crumple the paper into a ball. Then, in a gentle manner, they can throw the paper balls at each other. Each participant can then pick up a paper ball and read aloud the name and the interesting fact written on it.

Web of Names

In this game, use a large ball of string that unravels easily. Instruct the group to form a circle and remain seated throughout the game for safety. The game begins with one person holding the end of the string and stating their name. Holding onto the end, they then toss the ball of string to another participant. The recipient states their name and throws the ball to a third individual. As the game proceeds, a web will form from the overlapping strings. Once everyone has been introduced, the group will reverse the process. Each person will call out the name of the individual who threw them the string and toss it back, rewinding the ball as they go.

All Around the Circle

You will need a ball that's easy to throw. Have the children sit in a large circle with their legs crossed. Hold the ball, point to yourself, and say your name. Then pass the ball around the circle, allowing each child to say their name while holding the ball. Circle around a few times to ensure everyone has a chance to learn the names. Once everyone is ready, instruct each child to throw the ball to another child in the circle. The child who catches the ball must say the name of the child who threw it. Keep going until each child has had the opportunity to recall someone else's name.