Alma and How She Got Her Name: (A Heartwarming Story About Family History and the Meaning of Names - For Kids Ages 3-8)

In "Alma and How She Got Her Name," Juana Martinez-Neal takes readers on a touching exploration of identity and heritage through the eyes of a young girl named Alma. With a name as substantial as hers—Alma Sofia Esperanza José Pura Candela—Alma initially feels overwhelmed by the weight of it all. Curious about how she came to have such a long name, she turns to her father for the stories behind each one, embarking on a journey into her family's rich history. As Alma learns about her namesakes—each representing a unique legacy and cherished qualities—she discovers the strength and significance that her name carries. Through the tales of her grandmother Sofia, who adored books and flowers, her adventurous great-grandmother Esperanza, and her artistic grandfather José, Alma begins to appreciate the beauty of her heritage. Martinez-Neal’s warm and inviting illustrations enhance the narrative, beautifully depicting Alma's emotions and her journey of self-discovery. "Alma and How She Got Her Name" offers a heartfelt reminder of the power of names and the stories that shape us, making it a wonderful resource for children to contemplate their own identities and familial ties. This delightful Caldecott Honor Book is an essential addition to any child's library, celebrating cultural heritage and the idea that everyone has a unique story to tell.

This is a sweet story and I appreciated being able to get it from this seller. The book is in good shape and I liked not having to pay for a new book! Thank you.

Such a sweet story. I love using it at the beginning of the year in my classroom!

This is a beautifully illustrated book. Simple and elegant, the illustrations set a nice tone for the book. I used this book to start a discussion in our classroom about students' names. Some knew the story of their name, but those who didn't became curious. Also, it made my class think about what traits they want to be used to describe themselves, and what their story is and will be. It has an ending my students reacted to with "Aww, that's so sweet," which sums up the feeling you get from reading this book.

Alma and How She Got Her Name is a wonderful book for a large age range. It helps the reader understand and develop a real appreciation for family and where you come from. It instills pride and helps you understand that your identity is important, your family is important, and ultimately that you are important!

I bought this for my niece’s baby shower , she requested girl themed books, I just love this sweet story how Alma got her name.

This is such a cute story. I bought this for my class. I use this book at the beginning of the year when we are getting to know each other. I follow up this story with my students telling us about their name.

I love this story! I have the paperback in my classroom but decided to buy the Kindle Version for virtual learning. It is a beautiful story that can springboard a conversation about our names and where they come from. Perfect story for the beginning of the year and for building community! The Kindle version displayed beautifully on the Kindle App on my laptop.

Perfecto

Loved this book! Gave it as a gift to someone also.

I used this book in my English class with Japanese 5th grade elementary school students to expand on the topic of 'names'. The textbook section on this topic is a bit dry and boring so this book really helped interest the students. They really enjoyed the story and it allowed them to connect with the topic and understand how Alma was named after various family members. Great book!

Lovely story - been using this with my 2 & 5 year old to discuss the meaning of their names

I loved this book. It was perfect to use with Adrienne Geer’s Powerful Understanding and teaching kids about self and how to own their name and how it makes them special.