Books with title My Name Is Not…

For fans of The Language of Flowers, a sparkling, big-hearted, page-turning debut set in the 1970s about a young black boy’s quest to reunite with his beloved white half-brother after they are separated in foster care.Leon loves chocolate bars, Saturday morning cartoons, and his beautiful, golden-haired baby brother. When Jake is born, Leon pokes his head in the crib and says, “I’m your brother. Big brother. My. Name. Is. Leon. I am eight and three quarters. I am a boy.” Jake will play with no one but Leon, and Leon is determined to save him from any pain and earn that sparkling baby laugh every chance he can. But Leon isn’t in control of this world where adults say one thing and mean another, and try as he might he can’t protect his little family from everything. When their mother falls victim to her inner demons, strangers suddenly take Jake away; after all, a white baby is easy to adopt, while a half-black nine-year-old faces a less certain fate. Vowing to get Jake back by any means necessary, Leon’s own journey—on his brand-new BMX bike—will carry him through the lives of a doting but ailing foster mother, Maureen; Maureen’s cranky and hilarious sister, Sylvia; a social worker Leon knows only as “The Zebra”; and a colorful community of local gardeners and West Indian political activists. Told through the perspective of nine-year-old Leon, too innocent to entirely understand what has happened to him and baby Jake, but determined to do what he can to make things right, he stubbornly, endearingly struggles his way through a system much larger than he can tackle on his own. My Name Is Leon is a vivid, gorgeous, and uplifting story about the power of love, the unbreakable bond between brothers, and the truth about what, in the end, ultimately makes a family.

Tamara Albanna weaves the tale of Inanna's despair, strength and triumph—giving children of all ages hope that the dark times in life will pass. Arna Baartz illustrates this journey with gorgeous illustrations of the owls, lions, stars, sun and moon that direct Her. My Name is Inanna is dedicated to Tamara's beloved homeland, Iraq—The Cradle of Civilization; the Land of the Goddess. Praise for My Name is Inanna “Full of meaning and insight, with stunning illustrations, this simple, poetic version of the ancient myth glimmers like the “inner star” the author describes, showing where to turn for guidance.” -Marilyn McFarlane, author of Sacred Myths: Stories of World Religions and Sacred Stories: Wisdom from World Religions "The Girl God does it again with this inspiring, lyrical read! In My Name is Inanna, Tamara Albanna and Arna Baartz team up to bring the goddess of love to life for even the youngest readers. As human children, we will all face times of struggle and darkness in our lives. The powerful story of Innana, as told in these pages, reminds us that we too can trust ourselves and let our own inner star of intuition guide our way. An important message for us all!" - Melia Keeton-Digby, author of The Heroines Club: A Mother-Daughter Empowerment Circle “Tamara Albanna brings the feminine divine to life through the musings of Inanna, Queen of Heaven. Predating all of the world’s major religions, this matriarchal tale honors feminine intuition and the darkness from which is often springs. Arna Baartz's blithesome illustrations paint a much-needed alternative to a patriarchal view of God in this book which is full of simple, nature-based touchstones—the moon, owls and each person's own inner star—that girls can use to forge a spiritual connection that is uniquely their own.” -Monette Chilson, author of Sophia Rising

This story is designed to bring the wonderment of poetry back into the developing minds of school children. It contains helpful vocabulary words and amazing metaphoric phrases to create great teaching moments, while bringing awareness to the ever growing issue of bullying. This book is guaranteed to contribute to the expansion of a child's vocabulary, reading comprehension skills and social and emotional development. For ages 5 and older.

The story of the greatly misunderstood Goddess, including why she likes snakes. My name is Medusa explores the "scary" dark side, the potency of nature and the importance of dreams.Arna Baartz gorgeously illustrates this tale by Glenys Livingstone, teaching children (big and small) that our power often lies in what we have been taught to fear and revile. Praise for My Name is Medusa:“What a beautiful book! If we can learn to love what we have been taught to fear—snakes, change, the dark, night, dreams, and so much more—then we can learn to love ourselves and our mother earth.” -Carol P. Christ, author of Goddess and God in the World and A Serpentine Path“A wonderful book of Snake Wisdom for kids, or not-kids, with insights about life, growth, change, dreams, and our relationship to the Whole.” -Max Dashu, Suppressed Histories Archives“My Name Is Medusa presents a conversation with a wise woman about change, growth, and depth of appreciation for life in the cosmos. The thoughtful text is quietly intriguing, while the artwork is exuberantly engaging.” -Charlene Spretnak, author of Lost Goddesses of Early Greece"A wonderful introduction to and re-framing of the myth of the wise, powerful, fabulously snaky-haired Medusa. The magical pages of this gorgeous book teach children love for the Earth and for all of Her creatures." -Miriam Robbins Dexter, author of Whence the Goddesses: a Source Book'; 'Sacred Display: Divine and Magical Female Figures of Eurasia (with Victor Mair); and editor of Foremothers of the Women’s Spirituality Movement: Elders and Visionaries (with Vicki Noble; includes an essay by Glenys Livingstone).

Award-winning author David Almond reintroduces readers to the perceptive, sensitive Mina before the events of Skellig in this lyrical and fantastical work. My Name is Mina is not only a pleasure to read, it is an intimate and enlightening look at a character whose open mind and heart have much to teach us about life, love, and the mysteries that surround us.Mina loves the night. While everyone else is in a deep slumber, she gazes out the window, witness to the moon's silvery light. In the stillness, she can even hear her own heart beating. This is when Mina feels that anything is possible and her imagination is set free.A blank notebook lies on the table. It has been there for what seems like forever. Mina has proclaimed in the past that she will use it as a journal, and one night, at last, she begins to do just that. As she writes, Mina makes discoveries both trivial and profound about herself and her world, her thoughts and her dreams.

Curly the dog is born in a barn, surrounded by his parents and siblings. But when a day of boredom prompts him to explore the nearby woods, he soon finds himself lost. Alone and scared, Curly attracts the attention of a sympathetic raccoon, who decides to help Curly find his way. What other friends will Curly make on his adventure? Can he find a forever home? Author Andi C. Kryszak imagines her own rescue dog's early life in this hopeful story, which is brought to life by Grace C. Schlea's expressive, cheerful illustrations.

In this fresh look at the ancient Egyptian Goddess, Susan Morgaine reclaims Isis as The Great Mother Goddess and The Giver of Life, from whom all things come. Arna Baartz mystically illustrates Her as healer and protectress. My Name is Isis is a treasure box for children of all ages who want to draw close to this wise and nurturing Mother Goddess. Praise for My Name is Isis“A conversation between the great mother goddess of Egypt and the children of the world, My Name is Isis is a simple, gentle introduction to a powerful, influential goddess. I am so glad that our children can be introduced to international goddess wisdom through age-appropriate, beautifully illustrated books like this one. My Name is Isis covers core aspects of her story with straightforward language and thoughtful, personal questions as well as an acknowledgement of the appropriation of her name. It also extends gracefully into a panentheistic overview of goddess-oriented cosmology. May She of 10,000 Names enfold your family in her protective wings.”-Molly Remer, MSW, M.Div, D.Min, author of Womanrunes and Earthprayer“Some years ago, my daughter turned to me and said. 'there are no strong role-models for girls on television.' I was heart-stricken. The Girl God's books for children are correcting this tragic truth, and Susan Morgaine's My Name is Isis is a wonderful new addition to this series. Susan deftly picks out key qualities of the Goddess, and reveals her as a heart-warming and motherly friend far removed from the “bullies” who have misappropriated her name. Perhaps most importantly, she gently guides her readers to find these same divine qualities in themselves. This is powerfully reinforced by Arna Baartz's vibrantly beautiful illustrations of the Goddess as woman and girl: the most direct message of the divine given to humanity.”-P.D. Mackenzie Cook, author of Epona: Hidden Goddess of the Celts“Insightful and Breathtaking as Goddess ISIS comes alive through story and illustration. I imagine my young great-nieces and my Goddess-Daughter reading this book over and over as they explore who they are as Divine Creations. I can imagine them embracing Susan's words: 'You can open your arms wide, like my wings, and pretend that you are holding and protecting them and even protecting the world!' Magical and Powerful! Well Done Susan Morgaine and Arna Baartz!” -Angelique Autumn McGowan, author of A Cauldron Full of Tails and Such (under the name Debra Sunshine Hillman)