My Name Is Not Isabella: Just How Big Can a Little Girl Dream?

by Jennifer Fosberry, Mike Litwin (Illustrator)

Overview

A rollicking read-aloud and terrific "read-to-myself" story, full of complete with backmatter about Isabella's favorite women throughout history!

A New York Times Bestseller!

Just How Big Can a Little Girl Dream? Ask Isabella…

She takes a wild ride—and discovers the sky's the limit!

Who Is Your Hero?

Isabella's include U.S. Astronaut Sally Ride, activist Rosa Parks, and sharpshooter Annie Oakley—but there's no bigger hero than Isabella's own mommy! Join Isabella on an adventure of discovery—and find out how imagining to be these extraordinary women teaches her the importance of being her extraordinary self.

"This story…speaks frankly about self-identity and self affirmation as Isabella decides at the end that she is actually herself…because she possesses the best parts of all of the women she looks up to."—ForeWord Magazine

"The colorful mixed-media artwork reinforces the fanciful, upbeat tone of the book. Use this story to ignite young readers' interest in women's history." —School Library Journal

My Name Is Not Isabella is capturing hearts and awards, including:

Silver ForeWord Book of the Year Award for Picture Books

Gold Moonbeam Children's Book Award

Gold Independent Publisher Book Award

Amelia Bloomer List

A great choice if looking for:

Feminist books for little girls and boys

Historical women books for kids

Supreme court justices biographies for kids

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781728223025
Publisher:	Sourcebooks
Publication date:	05/01/2020
Pages:	32
Sales rank:	342,612
Product dimensions:	8.30(w) x 10.80(h) x 0.40(d)
Lexile:	AD440L (what's this?)
Age Range:	4 - 8 Years

About the Author

Jennifer Fosberry is a science geek turned children's book writer. After running away to Costa Rica for a few years, she returned to the San Francisco Bay area with her husband and three children to read, write, and try to get out of doing housework. Visit jfosberry.com.

Mike Litwin is an award-winning illustrator who combines oil glazing, color pencil, collage, and other mixed media to create scenes that serve the imagination and education of children. Visit him at mikelitwin.com.

Read an Excerpt

From My Name is not Isabella

"Good morning, Isabella," the mother said. "It's time to getup and out of bed."

"My name is not Isabella!" said the little girl.

"Then who has been sleeping in my daughter's bed?" asked the mother.

"I am SALLY, the greatest, toughest astronaut who ever was!"

"Well, Sally, BLAST out of bed, put on your space suit and come downstairs for breakfast."

Editorial Reviews

K-Gr 2

"Good morning, Isabella," says a mother to her daughter. "My name is not Isabella!" says the child. She is Sally, the "greatest, toughest astronaut who ever was!" At breakfast she becomes Annie the sharpshooter, and then Rosa on the bus ride to school. When she gets home that afternoon, she is Marie, the scientist; then Elizabeth, the doctor; Mommy, the greatest mother; and, finally, Isabella again. She falls asleep thinking about who she will become tomorrow. Throughout the day, the mother good-humoredly encourages her daughter's flights of imagination. The repetitive text, while somewhat contrived, serves to drive home the message that girls can do and be anything they want. The inclusion of motherhood in the list of worthwhile occupations is refreshing. The colorful mixed-media artwork reinforces the fanciful, upbeat tone of the book. An appendix gives more information on the lives and careers of all the women alluded to, and a list of works consulted presents opportunities for further research. Use this story to ignite young readers' interest in women's history.-Rachael Vilmar, Eastern Shore Regional Library, Salisbury, MD

School Library Journal

In this picture book, first published by Monkey Barrel Press in 2008, young Isabella isn't having an identity crisis--she's having an identity field day. When her mother greets her good morning, she responds with the book's title (and its refrain), adding, "I am Sally , the greatest, toughest, astronaut who ever was!" Throughout the day, Isabella assumes the roles of other "greatest" heroines: breakfast prompts an Annie Oakley reverie; a school bus ride puts her in the shoes of Rosa Parks. Litwin overworks the fuzzy, staticky textures of his mixed- media illustrations to the point of distraction, and it's a little disappointing that none of debut author Fosberry's role models is of especially recent vintage--Marie Curie and Elizabeth Blackwell appear as her science and medicine superwomen. But the exuberance of the text and typography, coupled with Isabella's force of personality, ensures that the pages fly along, largely and blessedly free of the earnestness that plagues so many "girls can do anything" books. Ages 3–8. (Sept.)

Publishers Weekly

"This book definitely sends the message to even the youngest of girls that they have the power to become whoever they want to be, whether it be with the use of their imagination or even later on in life." — Multi-Testing Mommy

"My Name is Not Isabella is quite a find…A sense of history, originality and fun run through the whole book making it a real enjoyable read." — Mummy’s Product Reviews

"Fun inspiration...sure to be enjoyed." — Chronicles of an Infant Bibliophile

"I love how it allows little girls to dream to be whomever they want to be." — Mommy PR

"I adore how Fosberry deftly weaves the personas of Sally Ride, Annie Oakley, Rosa Parks, Marie Curie, and Elizabeth Blackwell into Isabella's imaginative day." — Lieberry List

"What a wonderful book to showcase some important ladies of history." — Firr Kids

"Fosberry provides readers with the utmost basic of information - a first name and one simple word that gives a very broad overview of the role these different women played in history - basic enough that it will allow children to use their "thinking caps" to make inferences (guesses) about what the role they believe these women might have played." — Katie’s Literature Lounge

"Whether you eat breakfast with your child tomorrow morning, or a facsimile with a different name, that child will love this book." — Simcoe County Newspaper

"The book introduces some great historical females to young girls and inspires them to be great! It also teaches them that whoever they are, the best heroine of all is themselves." — The Buzz 4 Moms

"A delightful tale of young Isabella trying on the personality of daring women who left an indelible mark on history." — Modern Home Modern Baby

"A delightful tale of young Isabella trying on the personality of daring women who left an indelible mark on history." — Modern Home Modern Baby

"This book was so much fun to read!" — Candid Clever and Cost Effective

"Jennifer Fosberry's lesson in women's history goes down easily, abetted by an appendix with information on Isabella's alternate identities and web sites for further investigation." — Books for Kids

"A heartwarming story that empowers young girls to realize their true capabilities while it also inspires them to let their own personalities shine." — Peekabookpicks

"Empowering to young girls and very positive." — Eco Child’s Play

"Isabella puts an imaginative spin on her day-to-day activities that reminds us all that we can do anything and be anyone we choose." — Parenting Pink

"This book would be a great addition to teaching kids about careers and the importance of being yourself and "reaching for the stars"." — Sprittibee

"The perfect book for the girls! " — Mommy Mandy

"A great way to teach young girls about famous women from many walks of life!" — Simply Stacie

"My kids and I love this book." — A Little of This and A Little of That

"Teaches children that there are no limits to what you can become in life." — Fun Saving Money

"This book does a superb job at introducing the reader to real life women who were and are strong role models for young women." — Dad of Divas

"[Isabella] teaches kids how to use their imaginations." — Mommy Blessings in Small Bundles

"Fosberry's light, deft take makes each scene a romp rather than a lesson, and she includes biographies at the back for the kids (and parents) who get hooked and want to know more." — Squidalicious

"We’re definitely avid readers of My Name Is Not Isabella and avid fans of the little girl whose name graces the cover." — Boutique Cafe

"Reading this to your children gives them that extra hope and wonder of reaching beyond the stars and knowing they have no limitations on what they can become." — Indiependent Books

"A wonderful story of how a child's imagination can help them become anything they want to be!" — I'm Not Your Everyday Average Mom

"Perfect for any kid who is constantly imagining what they want to be when they grow up." — Momtrends

From the Publisher

"It's the kind of book that can open a little girl's mind up to a world of new stories simply by letting her explore all the possibilities."

BabyCenter

"The perfect book to teach young girls about the inner strength of their gender."

New Age Mama

"A great story for little girls!"

Amanda's Favs

"A tremendous book."

Mommy's Memorandum

The title phrase is what this purple-haired little girl says when her mother awakens her, because Isabella is Sally this morning, "the greatest, toughest astronaut who ever was!" When mother calls her "Sally" at breakfast, though, the girl announces that she's Annie, the "fastest sharp-shooter." It's Rosa the activist who waits for the bus and Marie the scientist who eats the cookies mother has made for her after school. Elizabeth the doctor relaxes in the bubble bath, and then the child announces that she, Isabella, is "Mommy, the greatest, sweetest mother who ever was!" One-paragraph bios of Sally Ride, Annie Oakley, Rosa Parks, Marie Curie, Elizabeth Blackwell and "Mommy" appear at the end (the Mommy bio is rather egregious). It's difficult to suss out the story, though. While it's nifty that Isabella imagines herself to be these great women, her mother's entire efforts are bent to taking care of Isabella, from hot breakfast to hot bubblebath. If that's what she aspires to be in the end, it's both solipsistic and philosophically tenuous and leaves readers young and older unengaged. (bibliography) (Picture book. 5-8)

Kirkus Reviews