That's Not My Name!
By Anoosha Syed
The Story
A girl starting her first day of school comes home discouraged when classmates mispronounce her name, then decides to go back and teach them to say it right — even if it takes a hundred tries.
Why It's Special
For the kid whose name gets stumbled over, shortened, or guessed at, Mirha's story says the effort of getting it right is always worth it.
- Big idea: Your name is worth defending, and teaching people to say it right is an act of pride, not inconvenience.
- Vibes: Warm, encouraging, and quietly empowering, with a first-day-of-school energy that turns nervous into determined.
Perfect For Kids Who
- are starting school for the first time
- have a name that gets mispronounced often
- are working on speaking up for themselves
- respond well to stories about family support and self-acceptance
Ask Your Little Reader
- Story & problem-solving: What did Mirha decide to do after her classmates said her name wrong?
- Feelings & empathy: How do you think Mirha felt when she thought about finding a new name?
- Real-life connection: Has anyone ever said your name wrong? What did you do?
- Family connection: How did Mirha's mama help her feel proud of her name again?
- Imagination: If a friend needed help learning to say your name, how would you teach them?
