From Kirkus: "A celebration of identity, family and belonging."

A sweet story about being proud of your culture and ancestors.

This book is great for children at an intermediate level. It's about a young girl named Alma Sofia Esperanza Jose Pura Candela who is curious about why she has such a long name. Her father tells her the story of her many names, and she starts to feel herself growing into them one by one. I would introduce this book to my classroom to show young students the importance of names and the meaning behind them. Perhaps they might get curious about where their own names come from. ( )

This is a touching story about a little girl who learns about her connection to many of her relatives that she has been named for as her dad tells her about each of them. As she learns about each one she embraces this connection she has to her heritage. Then she learns that her first name is all her own and she gets to be the first Alma. The soft hues of the illustrations against the brighter reds and pink used to illustrate Alma help support the look of history and the brighter presence of Alma. This would be a lovely story to share with students as you get to know them (and their names) at the beginning of a new school year. ( )

I will admit it. I was skeptical of "Alma and How She Got Her Name." I did not know what to expect. And then.....I fell in love. Alma thinks her full name of Alma Sofia Esperanza Jose Pura Candela is far too long. But then she hears the story of why she has each name. Dad leaves it up to her to decide if it fits.

I can relate. I can think Gabrielle is too long of a name. But then I find out the story of why I was named that. (My name means God is My Strength which my parents did not think anything of at the time. Fast forward 28 years later and now we all see how God knew even before we did how significant that name meant.) Every child has a story. This book is the perfect conversation starter. ( )