Overview

It's not Sha-Dee-Ah, Shaw-Day-Uh, or Sha-Dee-Uh...it's Shadaia! Frustrated with everyone mispronouncing her name, Shadaia decides she needs a nickname. Maybe that will help everyone get it right. A book about empowerment, self-esteem, and loving the meaning behind your name. This powerful picture book from author Tradara McLaurine will encourage all children to be proud of the name they're given. Perfect for children ages 3-7 and for fans of Alma and How She Got Her Name by Juana Martinez-Neal and Your Name is a Song by Jamilah Thompkins-Bigelow.

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Reviews

Reviewed By Emily-Jane Hills Orford for Readers' Favorite ""Is your name difficult to pronounce and does the spelling of your name indicate what it should sound like? If your name was Shadaia, how would you want everyone to pronounce it, and is it worth the effort to continually correct people in their pronunciations? Perhaps what you need, then, is a nickname. That's what Shadaia believes. But what can she choose for a nickname and why would she? What's wrong with her real name, the name her parents specifically chose for her to show her their love? Tradara McLaurine explores this dilemma in I want a Nickname. All names have meanings and Shadaia has decided that her name isn't that difficult to pronounce and it's unique, special, and full of meaning. Tradara McLaurine's picture book, I Want a Nickname, is about self-identity and being proud of who you are and what your name means to you and those who love you. The plot follows Shadaia's struggles to continuously correct people so they can pronounce her name properly. Friends, teachers, and coaches all have the same problem, even those in the stands cheering her on to a homerun who can't say her name. Her young brother can, so if a young child can pronounce it why can't everyone else? The language is simple so young readers can follow and work on their reading skills. The illustrations are bright, bold, colorful, and full of life, sometimes pensive and, at other times, full of energy. This is a very empowering story that will inspire young readers to be comfortable with their self-identity, which includes their name."" I Want a Nickname reminds readers that they do not need to change to accommodate the convenience of others-they can be proud to be who they are. Shadaia has the best name in the whole world-it's unique and beautiful and her parents picked it out just for her when she was born. The trouble is no one seems to be able to pronounce it correctly! The teacher says ""sha-dee-ah,"" the umpire tries ""shaw-day-uh,"" and the coach-who has known her for months-still says ""sha-deeuh""! It's starting to feel like such hard work being Shadaia that she wonders if she should be someone else instead-perhaps she needs a nickname? She tries a few, but nothing seems to fit. Then, her baby brother gives her the answer-she doesn't need a nickname! If a baby can say her name, then so can everyone else! I Want a Nickname is the book that every child with a unique or non-Western name has been waiting for through all those annoying roll-call mistakes and patient conversations about spelling. While it can be hard work to correct people when they are lazy or ignorant about the many wonderful linguistic possibilities, celebrating one's unique name is a celebration of self, identity, and culture. Excellent comic-style illustrations bring Shadaia's thoughts and feelings to life on the page. Overall, I Want a Nickname is empowering, affirmative, and a fantastic lesson in inclusivity and self-worth. -The Children's Book Review

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