That’s Not My Name! by Anoosha Syed
Published 2022
Available from the Richland County Library in print format.
A debut picture book about loving your name, finding your voice, and standing up for yourself from the critically acclaimed illustrator of Bilal Cooks Daal and I Am Perfectly Designed.
Mirha is so excited for her first day of school! She can’t wait to learn, play, and make new friends. But when her classmates mispronounce her name, she goes home wondering if she should find a new one. Maybe then she’d be able to find a monogrammed keychain at the gas station or order a hot chocolate at the cafe more easily.
Mama helps Mirha to see how special her name is, and she returns to school the next day determined to help her classmates say it correctly–even if it takes a hundred tries.
Target Audience: Ages 3-5
That’s Not My Name! is an empowering story for young girls that highlights the importance of valuing your identity, standing up for yourself, and embracing your unique qualities. By learning to love and assert her name, Mirha demonstrates the qualities of a future leader who is confident, assertive, and unapologetic about who she is.