Turtle Knows Your Name

Bibliography:
Bryan, Ashley. 1989. Turtle Knows Your Name. New York: Atheneum. ISBN: 0689315783


Summary:
A young boy lives with his grandmother and she teaches him to say his long name and perform a name dance by the sea.

"Upsilimana Tumpalerado,
That's my name.
I took my time to learn it,
Won't you do the same?"

But the boy has trouble teaching his name to his friends or to the animals. Except one. Turtle already knows, and when Granny challenges her grandson to find out HER real name, Turtle is able to help.

Analysis:

Bryan’s retelling of a West Indian folktale is warm and cheerful. The two main characters take pride in their unusual names and thus in their identity. The language is rhythmic and fun to read aloud (“past pig in the pasture, past pawpaw and palm trees”). Children will enjoy the boy’s quest for his grandmother’s real name, without which he won’t get dessert! The full-page watercolor illustrations are packed with vivid colors and smiling faces.

Reviews/Awards:

“With the funny names, abundant dialogue and animal noises, Bryan's lively retelling of this English Antillean story is well-suited to reading out loud. The festive paintings are a visual treat, complementing the text with jewel-like colors and fluid lines.”
Publisher’s Weekly

“The handsome and loving black grandmother and her grandson inhabit a radiant, tropical world and should bring delight to young children and storytellers, who will recognize their proud and loving spirits, and will enjoy chanting the very long names over and over again.”
School Library Journal

Connections:
*Discuss the custom of a name dance, and have children insert their names into the song.