Picture Book review: Alma and How She Got Her Name

Alma and How She Got Her Name by Juana Martinez-Neal
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I LOVE this book! Alma and How She Got Her Name written and illustrated by Juana Martinez-Neal shares the story of sweet, little Alma. The story begins with her spelling out Alma Sofia Esperanza José Pura Candela and complaining to her father about the many parts of her name. Her dad sits her down and shares the story of each part of her name and offers her the opportunity to understand the history of her name.

Juana Martinez-Neal uses pinks, grays, blacks and blues to delicately illustrate this book about little Alma. Along with the vivid descriptions of each family member, each page is sprinkled with Spanish words and artifacts inspired by her Peruvian upbringing.

Long naming conventions in the Spanish culture still play a role in many students lives and this book will definitely fill a gap in libraries. This book will be published both in English and Spanish on April 10, 2018 by Candlewick Press.

Juana Martinez-Neal was the 2018 recipient of the Pura Belpré Award for her illustrations in the the book, La Princesa and the Pea.  You can learn more about her via her website, Juana: Children's Illustrator

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