The Boy Who Tried to Shrink His Name – US edition

Book Reviews

KIRKUS – “An insightful tale that digs deep into names—an inherent part of identity—and the emotions attached to them.” Read full review here. 

NEW YORK TIMES – Reviewed by Andrea Wang – “Most exquisite is the bright bird into which the name Zimdalamashkermishkada has transformed, a soaring symbol of the boy’s newfound pride in his cultural heritage.”

PICTURE BOOK BUILDERS – Sworder and Parappukkaran’s books are both about shrinking, at least on the surface. Diving deeper, they also share common themes of immigration, belonging, and assimilation. Read full article here. 

LAVENDER MAGAZINE – This is not a tale of a child bullied for his odd name; his new teacher and classmates are friendly, but rather a gentle reminder aimed at the 5-8 reader or be-read-to that everyone is fine as they are, and needn’t hide their best self. Read full article here. 

Instagram Reviews

@shameer_reads – This book will remind us to pay close attention to pronouncing difficult names of people which is the key ingredient to celebrating them because names matter. It influences who we are and how others view us. What a warm and uplifting book indeed!

@maistorybooklibrary – Picture Books that Validate ALL NAMES – see reel here. 

@thediversebookworm – ✨It is so important to be sure to pronounce students’ names correctly. Giving a student a nickname because you can’t pronounce their name is highly offensive, and it diminishes the importance of their identity and cultural heritage, not to mention is a micro-aggression. If you aren’t sure how to pronounce someone’s name, ask them, and then practice it until you know it!

@ihaveabook4that – The school year is readily approaching. Let’s emphasize the importance of valuing names by pronouncing them correctly.