“Your Name is a Song” by Jamilah Thompkin Bigelow is a celebration of unique names. Her prose flows like music turning into poetry. The illustrations by Luisa Uribe makes the story come alive and sing on the page. As I read this book to my kids, we couldn’t help singing the beautiful names in the book.  

The first day of school is difficult for one little girl. She realizes her name is unfamiliar to the class, even the teacher struggles with it. “It got stuck in her throat,” she says. Her Ummi (Mamma) encourages her to sing her name. She introduces her to different names, all uncommon, but each one beautiful and musical. Together they dig deep into their hearts to learn about names that have strength. fire, dreams, stars; each a unique song. In class the next day, the little girl has everyone singing her and others’ names. The little girl’s name – Kora-Jalimuso (Ko-rah-Djaa-lee-Moo-so) and the many other beautiful names in the story spelled out with the meaning in the glossary is a great addition. 

I love this book for so many reasons. As a first generation immigrant, with a ‘different’ name, I know the struggles with unfamiliar names. I love the message of sticking to your identity that this book brings out. I definitely recommend the book to preschoolers, kindergarten to grade 3, but also think it is as relevant to older kids and adults as well! 

Maybe next time you meet someone from a different culture, pay attention to their name and if it is unfamiliar, ask them to repeat it and say it after them. No, actually, sing it with them.