Your Name Is a Song
OverDrive Read Series
illustrations by
on Goodreads (2,219)
What’s inside...
Frustrated by a day full of teachers and classmates mispronouncing her beautiful name, a little girl tells her mother she never wants to come back to school. In response, the girl's mother teaches her about the musicality of African, Asian, Black-American, Latinx, and Middle Eastern names on their lyrical walk home through the city. Empowered by this newfound understanding, the young girl is ready to return the next day to share her knowledge with her class. Your Name is a Song is a celebration to remind all of us about the beauty, history, and magic behind names. Your Name is a Song includes back matter perfect for parents, educators, caregivers, and young readers who want to learn more about the names featured in the story. The 'Glossary of Names' lists each name's meaning, origin, and pronunciation. Additionally, readers can use a listed link to access an online video of the author pronouncing all the names in the book.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
3-8
Length
45 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
How do you feel when someone mispronounces your name? How would you kindly correct them?
Can you think of a song that reminds you of your name? Why does it feel special?
What does it mean to you to have respect for someone's name? How does it make that person feel?
If you could create a song about your name, what words or sounds would you use?
Why do you think the girl in the book felt happy when her classmates learned to say her name correctly?
Tip: Role play these questions
Before reading the book, discuss with your child any experiences they have had with their name, whether it's being mispronounced or feeling proud of what it represents.
Encourage your child to express their feelings about their name and its significance, fostering a deeper personal connection to the theme of the book.
After reading, ask your child to think of creative ways of how they would teach someone to pronounce their name correctly, reinforcing the theme of respect and identity.
Use examples from the book to highlight the beauty and uniqueness of names from different cultures, emphasizing inclusivity and diversity.
Create a follow-up activity where your child can write or draw about their name, capturing their understanding and feelings brought out by the book.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: The importance of respecting and pronouncing names correctly
Explanation: The protagonist deals with the frustration of her name being mispronounced at school. Through her mother's musical tale, she learns the beauty and significance of names from various cultures.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to approach names unfamiliar to them with curiosity and respect, enhancing their social skills and cultural awareness.
Example Lesson: Appreciation of one's own cultural heritage
Explanation: The mother teaches her daughter that names carry history and power, helping the protagonist to see the beauty in her own name and heritage.
Real-World Application: This fosters pride and self-respect in children regarding their cultural background, encouraging them to share their own stories and heritage with others.
Example Lesson: Empathy and understanding
Explanation: As the girl learns the musicality of names from different cultures, she develops a deeper understanding and empathy towards her classmates.
Real-World Application: This lesson helps children appreciate the diversity around them, promoting inclusivity and reducing biases from a young age.