The TTLG 2011 Picture Book Celebration - Book Thirteen

As the mother of a daughter, I am always looking for books that have strong female characters who are intelligent, and who serve as a good bookish role model. Today's picture book is about a little girl who happily walks in the footsteps of great women from history.

My name is not Isabella

Jennifer Fosberry

Illustrated by Mike Litwin

Picture Book

For ages 5 to 7

Sourcebooks, 2010, 978-1-4022-4390-0

   When Isabella wakes up one morning, she decides that her name is not Isabella. She tells her mother that she is Sally, “the greatest toughest astronaut who ever was!” The little girl’s mother goes along with this, inviting “Sally” to don her spacesuit and to come downstairs for breakfast.

   At the breakfast table, Sally explains that her name is not Sally at all. Now she is Annie, “The greatest, fastest sharpshooter who ever was.” Being the kind of mother who understands a young girl’s thought processes, the ever patient mother invites “Annie” to come to eat the “fine vittles” that are waiting on the table. Who will Isabella/Sally/Annie become next?

   In this clever and meaningful picture book, we meet a little girl who imagines what it would be like to be great women from history. She also has a little surprise up her sleeve for “the greatest, sweetest mother who ever was.” Young readers will see how this one little girl aspires to be an important person when she grows up, and how the women she pretends to be teach her what it means to be a sweet, kind, smart, brave, fast, tough, and great person.

   To compliment the message in the story, the author provides her readers with information about the five famous women from history who are part of Isabella’s story.