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Alma and How She Got Her Name: (A Heartwarming Story About Family History and the Meaning of Names - For Kids Ages 3-8) Hardcover – Picture Book, April 10, 2018

by Juana Martinez-Neal (Author, Illustrator)
4.9 out of 5 stars 1,221 ratings
Teachers' pick
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A 2019 Caldecott Honor Book

“A beautifully illustrated, tender story to be shared with all children, sure to evoke conversations about their names.” —School Library Journal (starred review)

If you ask her, Alma Sofia Esperanza José Pura Candela has way too many names: six! How did such a small person wind up with such a large name? Alma turns to Daddy for an answer and learns of Sofia, the grandmother who loved books and flowers; Esperanza, the great-grandmother who longed to travel; José, the grandfather who was an artist; and other namesakes, too. As she hears the story of her name, Alma starts to think it might be a perfect fit after all—and realizes that she will one day have her own story to tell. In her 2019 Caldecott Honor Book, Juana Martinez-Neal opens a treasure box of discovery for children who may be curious about their own origin stories or names.
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  1. Reading age
    3 - 8 years, from customers
  2. Print length
    32 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Grade level
    Preschool - 3
  5. Lexile measure
    490L
  6. Dimensions
    9.81 x 0.36 x 9.38 inches
  7. Publisher
    Candlewick
  8. Publication date
    April 10, 2018
  9. ISBN-10
    0763693553
  10. ISBN-13
    978-0763693558
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From the Publisher

"It’s an origin story that envelops readers like a hug."

—Publishers Weekly (starred review)

"A beautifully illustrated, tender story."

—School Library Journal (starred review)

Alma and How She Got Her Name
Alma, Head to Toe /Alma, de pies a cabeza
Alma and Her Family/Alma y su familia
Alma at Home/Alma en casa
Alma, Where Is Pajarito?/Alma, ¿Dónde está Pajarito?
Customer Reviews
4.9 out of 5 stars 1,221
5.0 out of 5 stars 14
5.0 out of 5 stars 5
5.0 out of 5 stars 1
—
Read the new adorable bilingual board book series starring Alma from the Caldecott Honor Book! A 2019 Caldecott Honor Book! If you ask her, Alma has way too many names: six! How did such a small person wind up with such a large name? As she hears the story of her name, Alma starts to think it might be a perfect fit after all. ALSO IN SPANISH! Alma has arms, hands, and fingers for patting a pet bird—as well as legs, feet, toes, and one adorable belly, below her ever-present heart. Get to know Alma, head to toe! How much does little Alma love her family? She kisses her daddy, squeezes her mommy, laughs with her grandma, and . . . paints on her artist grandpa (such a good sport!). Meet Alma’s family! Follow little Alma as she washes up in the bathroom, puts on her striped outfit and bow, and eats breakfast with her family in the kitchen. Take a tour of Alma’s home! Where is Alma’s flying friend Pajarito? Is that him behind the books? Or beside the stool? Could he be between the hats? Follow little Alma on a search for her mischievous pet bird!
In two languages! no data ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

PreS-Gr 2—It's said there's a story behind every name and Alma Sofia Esperanza José Pura Candela is surely a moniker worthy of six tales. After complaining that her name is so long that it "never fits," Alma's father shares stories with the girl about the people she's been named after, including a book lover, an artist, and a deeply spiritual woman, among others. Martinez-Neal, the recipient of the 2018 Pura Belpré Illustrator Award for La Princesa and the Pea , works in print transfers with graphite and colored pencils for these images, limiting her palette to black, charcoal gray, and blushes of color. The round, stylized figure of the girl, dressed in pink striped pants and a white shirt, pops against the sepia pages (reminiscent of old, family photo albums). As Alma's namesakes emerge from the shadows when they are introduced, they and their distinguishing items (books, plants, paintbrushes, etc.) are highlighted in a pale, gray-blue. The softly colored images and curvilinear shapes that embrace the figures evoke a sense of warmth and affection. At the story's end, the only tale readers have not heard is Alma's. "You will make your own story," states her father. VERDICT A beautifully illustrated, tender story to be shared with all children, sure to evoke conversations about their names.—Daryl Grabarek, School Library Journal

Review

Martinez-Neal brings her gentle story to life through beautiful graphite and colored pencil artwork, set against cream-colored backgrounds. Soft blue and red details pop against the charcoal scenes, which perfectly reflect the snapshots of Alma’s family. While Alma feels enriched by learning her family’s history, she is also empowered by the knowledge that she will give her name, Alma, its own story.
—Booklist (starred review)

Martinez-Neal’s first outing as author is a winner—her velvety and largely monochromatic pencil drawings, punctuated with cherry red, teem with emotional intimacy. It’s an origin story that envelops readers like a hug.
—Publishers Weekly (starred review)

The softly colored images and curvilinear shapes that embrace the figures evoke a sense of warmth and affection. At the story’s end, the only tale readers have not heard is Alma’s. “You will make your own story,” states her father. A beautifully illustrated, tender story to be shared with all children, sure to evoke conversations about their names.
—School Library Journal (starred review)

Mostly monochromatic against a cream background, the illustrations—print transfers with graphite and colored pencils—are delightful, capturing the distinctive essences of Alma’s many namesakes...A celebration of identity, family and belonging.
—Kirkus Reviews

Throughout, grayscale print transfer illustrations have a soft visual texture, and subtle colored-pencil highlights in pinks and blues enliven each spread. The pictures end up stealing the show in their depiction of the sweet closeness between Alma and her father. They also convey a subtle, supernatural connection between Alma and her ancestors, whose images in the family photos make eye contact with her outside of her father’s awareness.
—The Horn Book

As artist, her mostly black-and-white graphite and colored pencil drawings with splashes of red (suggesting now) and blue (capturing then) provide an additional, enhancing narrative: the family's Peruvian roots, Alma's avian and floral interests, her bilingual drawings, her historically inspired style sense, even a peek at Esperanza's worldly treasures...Names are so much more than a collection of letters and sounds, Martinez-Neal reminds. The book's final words, "What story would you like to tell?" become an invitation for readers to share and claim each of their own, distinctive stories, histories and identities.
—Shelf Awareness for Readers

Every piece of Alma’s name, she discovers, comes to her from someone in her family, and, as she and her father talk, Alma feels a new sense of connection...Touching on cultural themes central to the recent Pixar movie “Coco,” this is a tender outing for children ages 4-8.
—The Wall Street Journal

A great book for introducing family history and the importance of our place within it.
—Story Monsters Ink

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Candlewick
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ April 10, 2018
  • Edition ‏ : ‎ Illustrated
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 32 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0763693553
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0763693558
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 13.4 ounces
  • Reading age ‏ : ‎ 3 - 8 years, from customers
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 9.81 x 0.36 x 9.38 inches
  • Grade level ‏ : ‎ Preschool - 3
  • Lexile measure ‏ : ‎ 490L
  • Best Sellers Rank: #25,231 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.9 out of 5 stars 1,221 ratings

About the author

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Juana Martinez-Neal

Juana Martinez-Neal

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Juana Martinez-Neal is the Peruvian-born daughter and granddaughter of painters. Her debut as an author-illustrator, Alma and How She Got Her Name, was awarded a Caldecott Honor and was published in Spanish as Alma y cómo obtuvo su nombre. She also illustrated La Princesa and the Pea by Susan Middleton Elya, for which she won a Pura Belpré Illustrator Award, and Fry Bread: A Native American Family Story by Kevin Noble Maillard, which won a Robert F. Sibert Medal. Juana Martinez-Neal lives in Connecticut with her family. Visit her online at www.juanamartinezneal.com.

Customer reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars
1,221 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers love the book's illustrations, with one noting how they set a nice tone for the story. Moreover, the sweet narrative resonates with customers, with one mentioning it's perfect for the beginning of the school year. Additionally, the book effectively addresses cultural heritage, with one review highlighting how it serves as a gateway to discussing family history. Customers appreciate how it emphasizes the importance of names in identity.

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IllustrationsStory qualityCultureName power
30 customers mention "Illustrations"30 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the book's illustrations, noting that they set a nice tone for the story and are elegant.

"Great book! My kids love it, I love it." Read more

"This is a beautiful book!..." Read more

"great book!" Read more

"...Martinez-Neal’s warm and inviting illustrations enhance the narrative, beautifully depicting Alma's emotions and her journey of self-discovery. "..." Read more

30 customers mention "Story quality"30 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the story of Alma and how she got her name, describing it as sweet and heartwarming, with one customer noting it's perfect for the beginning of the year.

"...’s baby shower , she requested girl themed books, I just love this sweet story how Alma got her name." Read more

"...It is nice and simple and sweet, but collects so many characters in Alma's family history, that a story about a dad telling his child the history..." Read more

"Great story! The author visited my daughters school and read the story as well as autographed her book...." Read more

"...Her Name," Juana Martinez-Neal takes readers on a touching exploration of identity and heritage through the eyes of a young girl named Alma...." Read more

10 customers mention "Culture"10 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the book's cultural content, finding it inspiring and educational, with one customer noting how it serves as a perfect gateway to discussing heritage, while another mentions how it flows as a story of Alma's ancestry.

"...Book is an essential addition to any child's library, celebrating cultural heritage and the idea that everyone has a unique story to tell." Read more

"...It instills pride and helps you understand that your identity is important, your family is important, and ultimately that you are important!" Read more

"...It's a great way to spark a conversation with parents about how they chose their child's name." Read more

"...An instant classic! From the illustrations to the flowing story of Alma's ancestry. So many possibilities for elementary classrooms!!!..." Read more

10 customers mention "Name power"10 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate how the book emphasizes the importance of names as part of our identity, with one customer noting it's perfect for teaching students about their names.

"...Alma and How She Got Her Name" offers a heartfelt reminder of the power of names and the stories that shape us, making it a wonderful resource for..." Read more

"...It is a beautiful story that can springboard a conversation about our names and where they come from...." Read more

"...It helps the reader understand and develop a real appreciation for family and where you come from...." Read more

"...point for discussion about family traditions, ancestors, and the power of names." Read more

Perfection
5 out of 5 stars
Perfection
Absolutely one of the best picture books of the year. An instant classic! From the illustrations to the flowing story of Alma's ancestry. So many possibilities for elementary classrooms!!! Buy this little masterpiece! I did - and I'll be buying more copies to gift for terachers!
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Top reviews from the United States

  • MommaLayne
    5.0 out of 5 stars A Journey of Identity: The Meaning Behind a Name
    Reviewed in the United States on November 19, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    In "Alma and How She Got Her Name," Juana Martinez-Neal takes readers on a touching exploration of identity and heritage through the eyes of a young girl named Alma. With a name as substantial as hers—Alma Sofia Esperanza José Pura Candela—Alma initially feels overwhelmed by the weight of it all. Curious about how she came to have such a long name, she turns to her father for the stories behind each one, embarking on a journey into her family's rich history.

    As Alma learns about her namesakes—each representing a unique legacy and cherished qualities—she discovers the strength and significance that her name carries. Through the tales of her grandmother Sofia, who adored books and flowers, her adventurous great-grandmother Esperanza, and her artistic grandfather José, Alma begins to appreciate the beauty of her heritage.

    Martinez-Neal’s warm and inviting illustrations enhance the narrative, beautifully depicting Alma's emotions and her journey of self-discovery. "Alma and How She Got Her Name" offers a heartfelt reminder of the power of names and the stories that shape us, making it a wonderful resource for children to contemplate their own identities and familial ties. This delightful Caldecott Honor Book is an essential addition to any child's library, celebrating cultural heritage and the idea that everyone has a unique story to tell.
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  • sid
    5.0 out of 5 stars Great book !
    Reviewed in the United States on July 22, 2023
    Verified Purchase
    Purchased this book for a teacher, I got the opportunity to read it. It is a great book, love the story that the book tells
    One person found this helpful
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  • MimiSD
    5.0 out of 5 stars Culturally-Responsive and PERFECT for beginning of year!
    Reviewed in the United States on August 31, 2020
    Verified Purchase
    I love this story! I have the paperback in my classroom but decided to buy the Kindle Version for virtual learning. It is a beautiful story that can springboard a conversation about our names and where they come from. Perfect story for the beginning of the year and for building community! The Kindle version displayed beautifully on the Kindle App on my laptop.
    2 people found this helpful
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  • Mary
    5.0 out of 5 stars Love this sweet story
    Reviewed in the United States on October 21, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    I bought this for my niece’s baby shower , she requested girl themed books, I just love this sweet story how Alma got her name.
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  • Gloria morales
    5.0 out of 5 stars Cute Story
    Reviewed in the United States on July 19, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    This is such a cute story. I bought this for my class. I use this book at the beginning of the year when we are getting to know each other. I follow up this story with my students telling us about their name.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Camille R. Taylor
    5.0 out of 5 stars Appreciate Who You Are and Where You Came From
    Reviewed in the United States on July 5, 2023
    Verified Purchase
    Alma and How She Got Her Name is a wonderful book for a large age range. It helps the reader understand and develop a real appreciation for family and where you come from.
    It instills pride and helps you understand that your identity is important, your family is important, and ultimately that you are important!
    Helpful
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  • Tomas Milo
    5.0 out of 5 stars My class gave it two thumbs up, and I agree!
    Reviewed in the United States on April 11, 2018
    Verified Purchase
    This is a beautifully illustrated book. Simple and elegant, the illustrations set a nice tone for the book. I used this book to start a discussion in our classroom about students' names. Some knew the story of their name, but those who didn't became curious. Also, it made my class think about what traits they want to be used to describe themselves, and what their story is and will be. It has an ending my students reacted to with "Aww, that's so sweet," which sums up the feeling you get from reading this book.
    18 people found this helpful
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  • J. Lee
    5.0 out of 5 stars A Great Back to School Book
    Reviewed in the United States on August 2, 2019
    Verified Purchase
    Names are such an important component to our identity. Learning the history or story of her name helps Alma develop her pride in having so many names. I use this story to teach students about loving their names at the beginning of the school year and it is always a class favorite. It's a great way to spark a conversation with parents about how they chose their child's name.
    One person found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

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  • Pere Vivas Ballabriga
    5.0 out of 5 stars Perfecto
    Reviewed in Spain on August 18, 2019
    Verified Purchase
    Perfecto
    Report
  • Amazon Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful book
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 27, 2021
    Verified Purchase
    Beautiful story and book
    Report
  • Djuki
    5.0 out of 5 stars Very lovely book with a great story
    Reviewed in Canada on October 31, 2023
    Verified Purchase
    Loved this book! Gave it as a gift to someone also.
    Report
  • Emily M.
    5.0 out of 5 stars Great for teaching about the meaning behind names
    Reviewed in Japan on May 24, 2022
    Verified Purchase
    I used this book in my English class with Japanese 5th grade elementary school students to expand on the topic of 'names'. The textbook section on this topic is a bit dry and boring so this book really helped interest the students. They really enjoyed the story and it allowed them to connect with the topic and understand how Alma was named after various family members. Great book!
    Report
  • Chelsey
    5.0 out of 5 stars ❤️
    Reviewed in Canada on February 13, 2019
    Verified Purchase
    I loved this book. It was perfect to use with Adrienne Geer’s Powerful Understanding and teaching kids about self and how to own their name and how it makes them special.
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