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“Sitara, a Pakistani child, talks about the special meaning and importance of her name in this lovely picture book. As she goes through her day, explains how to pronounce her name, gently corrects people who get it wrong, and even shares the special nicknames her parents have for her. …Readers witness her getting called various wrong names before learning her actual moniker. But by the end of the book, Sitara is able to celebrate her name, her family, and her culture.”
—School Library Journal

My Name is a Gift

Written by Zeshan Akhter
Illustrated by Åsa Gilland
Published by Interlink Publishing Group Inc.

When I met Daddy and fitted in his hands, I didn’t have a name. So Daddy and Mommy whispered one in my ear. My name is the first present I ever got. It came wrapped in Daddy and Mommy’s love.

On the day Sitara is born, she receives a very special gift from her parents—her name. As Sitara grows, some people tumble up her name in their mouths until it’s not her name anymore. So Sitara learns about the history, tradition, and culture that went into choosing her name, giving her the confidence to help others say it right.

This heartwarming story not only teaches us the significance of our names, but it also highlights that trying to say names correctly, or asking if you’re unsure, goes a long way. The book also includes a spread for a child to fill in about their own name.

Primary ISBN: 9781623716721
Publication Date: December 2024
Available As: Hardcover
Picture Book, Age 00 or older

Community Represented:

Themes: , , , , , ,

Setting: Unspecified

Character's Place in the Immigration Journey: 2nd Generation

Book Creator(s) Connection to the Community Represented: Own Voices/Lived Experience

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