My Name Is a Gift - by Zeshan Akhter (Hardcover)

About the Book

Sitara's name is the first gift she receives. As she grows up, it is often mispronounced, so Sitara goes on a journey to learn about the history, tradition, and culture that went into choosing her name. This gives her the confidence to help others say it correctly.

Book Synopsis

A heartfelt and touching celebration of the names we're given, told through Zeshan Akhter's lyrical text and paired with Åsa Gilland's stunning illustrations.

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.

Review Quotes

"Sitara, a Pakistani child, talks about the special meaning and importance of her name in this lovely picture book ... Her narration is charming and childlike ... Artwork is gorgeous and modern ... VERDICT A solid addition to collections...."---- School Library Journal

About the Author

Zeshan Akhter writes uplifting stories about challenges that children experience. Her writing also reflects her love of the natural world. Zeshan studied zoology and has worked in nature conservation for twenty-one years. She lives in Glasgow.

Åsa Gilland is a Swedish illustrator who lives in Jakarta, Indonesia with her family and two cats in a little house beneath a gigantic bougainvillea tree. She works in a combination of traditional and digital media, drawing her inspiration from the mixture of cultures in the world around her. Her children's book characters reflect the rich diversity of her own lived experience.