That’s Not My Name!

See a problem? Devise a solution. That’s what one girl does in this amiable picture book about bridging differences. While parents attend an English-as-second-language class, their non-English-speaking kids get free child care next door. From many countries, they have no common language. Each plays alone, that is until Luli brings all the fixings for tea. “Chá,” she calls out in Chinese, inviting everyone to share. In eight other languages from every continent, the kids call back the word for tea and then gather around a table to share a universal drink that, according to the fascinating author’s note, got its start in China almost 5,000 years ago. Gentle, child-like art is as inviting as a cup of warm tea. With utter simplicity, this book connects disparate cultures to build natural community.

Written and illustrated by Anoosha Syed (Viking; 40 pages; $17.99; ages 3-5)

No one pronounces Mirha’s name correctly on the first day of school. This disappointment propels a disarming book about identity, respect for others and self-advocacy. Lighthearted art shows a modern American home and school. The grandmother’s shalwar kameez gives a clue as to the family’s South Asian heritage. Mirha considers changing her name to something easy, but Mama disapproves. “Mirha means ‘happiness’ in Arabic,” she explains. “Your name is different than your classmates. … It just means you are unique and special. … If people can remember names like Beethoven and Tchaikovsky and Michelangelo, they can remember Mirha.” This strong argument helps Mirha muster the courage to speak up for herself and make lots of friends. She promises to say their equally beautiful names right!

Susan Faust is a member of the Association for Library Service to Children, most recently serving on the 2018 Children’s Literature Legacy Award selection committee. She was a librarian at Katherine Delmar Burke School in San Francisco for 33 years.