Two More CYBILS Nominees of Note: What's in a Name?

There's no denying that winning an award, as well any designations as honors and finalists, are  exciting landmarks in the lives of people and their books. For any given award, there can be hundreds or thousands of titles (or more) under careful consideration. So-called "buzz" about a book only heightens hopes and, perhaps, deepens disappointment for the all-but-one title named. On February 14, Monday, the CYBILS AWARDS in every category will announced. I'll be standing by that morning to read and celebrate the winners. With advance congratulations to all who win, and to the finalists in each category, I continue to sing the praises of some of the other titles in my category for round one evaluations- nonfiction for elementary readers. 

Albert Whitman & Company

This biography of MARIA MARTINEZ is a fitting account of a pottery artist whose work changed the trajectory of her chosen media. If you didn't already do so, please pause to click on her name above. At least spend a moment to see examples her work in her website banner. They are breathtakingly gorgeous, while retaining a simplicity of form and function that reveals the deep roots of Martinez's art. SHAPED BY HER HANDS: Potter Maria Martinez  is written by Anna Harber Freeman and Barbara Gonzales. Their text and Maria herself are brought glowingly to life by illustrator Aphelandra.

This is a biography as artfully told as the artist it profiles.  Maria Martinez is a name well known among admirers of coil pottery. To those outside that specialty, like me, few are aware of her inventive, innovative, stunning work. She took a traditional role of women in her culture (pot making) to an unbelievable and elevated level through curiosity, problem-solving, and creative explorations. The unusual (and stunning) colors and surfaces she achieved stand the tests of careless encounters and time in their appeal. Her work forged a path for countless artists to follow, yet she retained her rooted place in her home and community. As inspiring as her life is, the text is also straightforward but uplifting, and the earthy, vibrant tones of the illustrations will transport readers into Maria's daily life.

I've known very few kids who don't plunge fingers into clay with joyful excitement. This is a book to share widely as an introduction to ceramics as art, and to inspire imagination and innovation in the use of that media, and others. 

Speaking of names, and kids, it is incredibly important to pronounce an individual person's name correctly. I happen to have a last name that is often mispronounced and I have no level of worry about that when it happens. If asked, I indicate our preferred pronunciation, of course. But if you are someone who was one of those Jason C., Jason R, Jason W,, trios in a classroom, or a Katie B., Katie M., and Katie S. cohort, you know how frustrating that was. Your name always felt special to you, and you've suddenly been lumped into a last-name-initial identity. Just imagine the frustration of anyone, especially any CHILD, who has a name that feels totally natural in your own mouth and in the mouths of those you love, but seems to trip and tangle the tongues of your teachers, your classmates, pretty much everyone else. DIstortions (by accident or intention) must be far more disorienting and disabling to the child than they are stressful to those who casually fail to learn your name. 

OWL KIDS, 2021

THAO, a twenty-four page picture book, written and drawn in wise but child-like simplicity, gives a kids-eye-view of what that identity-denial feels like.Endpapers suggest the universality of this issue, but an opening reproduction of Thao Lam's early-school photo instantly reveals the personal roots of this book.

With a mix of crayon, collage, and dynamic text placement it is easy to feel the irritation, hurt, and accommodation that those with non-western/familiar names must experience. I taught many Hmong students throughout my career and many used a traditional-"American" first name. I always asked if they preferred to use their own names, and never had a child say they would. Many said their parents wanted them to use this "school" name. That only serves to expand my view from those days that it was not only the child who dealt with the dishonor of having a name repeatedly mispronounced. 

This book is an extremely simple but important insight to the value of a name, and the respect it deserves. The blend of distinctive fonts, childhood photos and incorporation of simple collages drawings offers an honest but plaintive portrayal of the cost we impose on others by not making the effort to pronounce their names as they should be. 

Endpapers are priceless in offering many examples of a variety of children with a variety of names that have a variety of potential pronunciations. How hard is it to ask, then practice (with mouths in which they feel awkward) names that we should say correctly and spontaneously? Especially when we realize that the people behind those names are REQUIRED by our communities to learn and use a language that is equally strange in their mouths and ears in order to function in an English-speaking world?

While teaching I would ask about pronunciations, but I recently saw a better way- introduce yourself, then ask “Who are you?” Learn not only the name, but take a first step in demonstrating respect for the WHO that name represents.

I hope you'll agree that awards aren't everything. The grace and honor that  books like these achieve is in expanding minds, hearts, and understanding of wider communities and cultures. That deserves a round of applause from us all.