Miss Debby's Best-Loved Children's Books: What's in a name?

October 2023

By Debby Block

The name that parents decide to give to their child is very significant. The chosen name reflects the essence, the character, as well as the potential of that child. Rabbi Luria of Tzefat even says that each child’s Hebrew name is actually divinely inspired. No matter what name is chosen, it symbolizes lots of love, pride, and family tradition. Let’s explore some wonderful books about Jewish names.

“The very first gift my parents gave me was my name. It was totally, absolutely mine, but everybody used it all the time. It was a gift I couldn’t see, I couldn’t touch, but I could hear.” These are the words found in the wonderful children’s picture book called “The First Gift” by A.S. Gadot. This book includes a description of a variety of Jewish naming customs for adults at the end as well. I recommend this book for children ages 3 to 8, but also for any teachers educating early elementary school children about their Hebrew names.

“My Name is Aviva,” by the prolific author Lesléa Newman tells the story of a little girl who is embarrassed about her name and decides to go by a different name. Finally, Aviva finds out that she is named after her beloved great-grandmother, who also shaped many family traditions, including her chicken soup recipe, a love for stargazing, sewing, and reading. In the end, Aviva is excited to be named after someone who was brave, smart, and kind. This PJ Library selection is recommended for children ages 3 to 7.

In the Ashkenazi tradition, Jewish children are named after someone who is no longer living to honor and keep that person’s memory alive. Sephardic Jews, however, have a tradition of naming their children after living relatives. “I Share My Name” by Esther Levy Chehebar celebrates the Sephardic tradition of naming children after a living relative. In this picture book, there are lots of people in the family with the name Jojo, all named after the grandfather. The whole family gathers every Shabbat for challah and Sephardic dishes such as eggplant mehshi (stuffed eggplant) and hamid (lemony vegetable broth) and Grandpa Jojo blesses each and every little Jojo! It is wonderful to explore the diversity of Judaism. I recommend this book for children ages 3 to 6.

A true celebration of Jewish names is the joyous book “I Have a Jewish Name” by Charlotte’s own Rochel Groner Vorst. The rhyming text and eye-catching illustrations (by Dena Ackerman) feature over 170 Hebrew/Yiddish names. “I Have a Jewish Name” will encourage young children to understand more about the meaning and importance of their Jewish names. I love this book and recommend it for children ages 2 to 6.

I am including one last book in my list of best-loved books about names: the award-winning, classic picture book “Chrysanthemum” by Kevin Henkes. It is the story of a little mouse with a beautiful name that she loves - “Chrysanthemum.”

Unfortunately, when she starts school, the other kids make fun of her unusually long and flowery name. Things get worse and worse until Mrs. Delphinium Twinkle, the music teacher comes along. Although this book is not distinctly Jewish, there is a curriculum on Jewish values (jewishlearningmatters.com) that uses the book “Chrysanthemum” to teach about kavod (showing respect) and lashon hara (using nice words). I recommend this book for children ages 3 to 6. Every child’s name is a blessing! Help your child understand how very special their name is by reading one of these terrific books.