  | Naming ceremony Author: Wedlick, Seina | |
| Price: $23.28 | ||
Summary:
It is time for her baby sister's naming ceremony, and Amira has a name picked out, but as friends and family pronounce the names they have brought, Amira starts to wonder if her chosen name is really the blessing she thought it was. Includes a note about West African tradition of the naming ceremony.
| Illustrator: | Mohammed, Jenin |
Reviews:
Kirkus Reviews (04/15/23)
Booklist (04/01/23)
Full Text Reviews:
Booklist - 04/01/2023 Robust, mixed-media illustrations and a joyous story line combine in this celebratory title. Amira is preparing for her baby sister’s naming ceremony, a tradition within her West African community. She is excited but also feels anxious about trying to come up with a unique name for her sister. Meanwhile, her family is preparing traditional beads, food, and décor for the event. The vibrant artwork incorporates pattern and texture from textiles used in characters’ clothing, and the family and neighbors who attend the party form a wonderfully diverse group. Young readers will relate to the many emotions Amira feels throughout the story and heartily approve of the name she finally chooses for her sister. Wedlick creates a loving portrait of family tradition and sibling relationships from a unique angle, as many readers will be unfamiliar with naming ceremonies. The back matter offers more information on this custom. Other titles that celebrate the importance of names include Juana Martinez-Neal’s Alma and How She Got Her Name (2018) and Antonio Sacre’s My Name Is Cool (2022). - Copyright 2023 Booklist.
