From breakfast to bedtime, a young girl imagines being different women who made history, and ends the day empowered to be herself.
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Jun 19, 2008
KT
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An original story for budding feminists follows a little girl through her day, beginning with her mother waking her up in the morning by saying, “Good morning, Isabella. It’s time to get up and out of bed.” She responds, “My name is not Isabella.” She informs her mother that her name is Sally and she is “the greatest, toughest astronaut who ever lived.” Over the course of the day, she becomes Annie (Oakley), Rosa (Parks), Marie (Curie), and Elizabeth (Blackwell), taking on the characteristics
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Dec 09, 2010
Cindy
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My Name is Not Isabella is a delightful new picture book by Jennifer Fosberry that introduces children to some of the strongest female figures in history, all seen through the eyes of a little girl.
The sequence starts off with the mother at the bedroom door saying, “Good morning Isabella. It’s time to get up 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 More...
The sequence starts off with the mother at the bedroom door saying, “Good morning Isabella. It’s time to get up 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 More...
Oct 25, 2010
April
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My Name is Not Isabella is an amazing storybook that encapsulates the wonderment of childhood and endless imagination. Jennifer Fosberry takes one day in the life of one little girl, Isabella, and with each encounter between daughter and mother, Isabella announces that she is someone new. From Sally Ride to Rosa Parks to Elizabeth Blackwell and many other all-important woman - including mommy. The illustrations are absolutely amazing and utterly breath-taking. While you read, I absolutely da
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Jul 18, 2009
Lv2readB
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Fosberry, J. (2008). My name is not Isabella. Union City, CA: Monkey Barrel Press.
Summary:
Isabella is a young girl who likes to change her name! Throughout her day, she becomes women who have changed history: from Sally Ride the first American female astronaut to Annie Oakley the fastest female “sharp-shooter”, from Rosa Parks the civil rights activist to Marie Curie the first female scientist to win a Nobel Prize, from Elizabeth Blackwell the first female doctor to her own mo More...
Summary:
Isabella is a young girl who likes to change her name! Throughout her day, she becomes women who have changed history: from Sally Ride the first American female astronaut to Annie Oakley the fastest female “sharp-shooter”, from Rosa Parks the civil rights activist to Marie Curie the first female scientist to win a Nobel Prize, from Elizabeth Blackwell the first female doctor to her own mo More...
Sep 20, 2010
Monique
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Sally Ride, the first woman astronaut in space
Annie Oakley, American sharpshooter and circus shooter
Rosa Parks, African-American civil rights activist
Marie Curie, one of the most famous female scientists
Elizabeth Blackwell, the first woman to graduate medical school, the first woman doctor
Mommy, one of the loves of little Isabella's life
This beautifully illustrated gold and purple children's book provides 5 different history lessons for little girls – an More...
Annie Oakley, American sharpshooter and circus shooter
Rosa Parks, African-American civil rights activist
Marie Curie, one of the most famous female scientists
Elizabeth Blackwell, the first woman to graduate medical school, the first woman doctor
Mommy, one of the loves of little Isabella's life
This beautifully illustrated gold and purple children's book provides 5 different history lessons for little girls – an More...
Jul 06, 2011
Laura
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Despite the fact that this is definitely a book with a message, I really enjoyed My name is not Isabella. The illustrations are kind of quirky but that's okay because Isabella is kind of quirky herself. Isabella's mother wakes her up for school one morning and Isabella announces that her name is not Isabella -- it's Sally, as in Sally Ride, the astronaut. She marches to breakfast and becomes Annie Oakley. And with each new event, Isabella becomes another independent, interesting, and importa
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Sep 20, 2010
Lenore
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'My Name is Not Isabella' by Jennifer Fosberry. Isabella uses her imagination to turn her world into an adventure. She make believes she is many different extraordinary women. From Annie Oakley to Rosa Parks and on to Marie Curie and then some. I love that this shows how we can use our imagination to travel into new worlds and explore other lives. I know that Princess Emma dances for us and puts on her ballets. She loves to pretend she is a beautiful and loving princess to all around her.
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May 29, 2011
Mrs.
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Even as a kid, I noticed this: there is a dearth of female role models. I don't mean there aren't enough women to admire - hardly! But I just didn't hear much about them when I was younger. Jennifer Fosberry takes care of that with her wonderful new picture book My Name is Not Isabella. Isabella is a little girl who dreams big - she pretends to be Sally Ride, Annie Oakley (a personal favorite!), Rosie Parks, Marie Curie, Elizabeth Blackwell, and her own mother. After Isabella goes to bed and the
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Jun 28, 2009
Tiff
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This book is FABULOUS - and something very cool for me personally is that the first time I read it I was sitting next to the author and got to talk to her about her creative process. Amazing. Besides this just being a delightful storytime book, I think it could be of great use in the classroom. Use it with younger students to introduce them to famous women in history, or with older students to review, and have them add to the book by researching other famous women - or men!
I'm cross More...
I'm cross More...
Oct 08, 2011
Tara
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An amazing read and not what I expected when I picked up this book which I originally did because one of my daughters is named Isabella. I found this book to be a great read and something I definately would want my little girls to have shared with them. In todays society and in the past where it is said that "we live in a mans world" I welcome any chance to show my girls how that doesn't have to be true and they are equals to their male conterparts. This book is inspiring and creative
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Apr 15, 2011
Jackie
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My name is not Isabella is a great book for any little girl who has big dreams or who wants to discover new heroes to look up to. Isabella pretends to be different famous women throughout the day, acting out her heroes' actions in lively two-page spreads. The illustrations are soft, quirky pastel, with photographic elements in each picture drawing attention. The book includes miniature biographies of each of the women, identified only by first name in the main text, and also further bibliographi
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Mar 30, 2011
Lisa
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I read this and at the same time, immediately after, read My Name Is Not Alexander. I was tempted to write one review for both books, but I suppose my thoughts and feelings and what else I’d like to say are just different enough that I’ll write separate reviews.
This book is a conundrum. How can I find something both delightful and irritating, fun and boring, great and mediocre, etc. etc.? Well, I do. It ended up winning me over, for the most part.
Yes, it’s a “message book” an More...
This book is a conundrum. How can I find something both delightful and irritating, fun and boring, great and mediocre, etc. etc.? Well, I do. It ended up winning me over, for the most part.
Yes, it’s a “message book” an More...
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Oct 29, 2010
Margaret
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What an incredible book! For one, I love purple and the vibrant purple radiating from out this book already make it gorgeous. But the story in itself of the inspiration through out the day that one little girl thrives on is incredible. Through out the day, Isabella tells her mother over again that her name is not Isabella, but that it is Sally, Annie, Rosa, Marie, Elizabeth or Mommy. Each person a great woman who changed the world. This book gives me goose bumps as for once we have a great fun b
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Feb 04, 2012
Brianna
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Stumbled upon this feminist picture book gem at the public library, and I'm so glad that I picked it out. Isabella is a little girl with a big imagination, and she takes on the roles of famous women throughout history as she moves through the course of her pretend play adventures. This book has a whole lot of charm, and the gorgeous pictures do a great job of supporting the simple but subversive text.
Full review forthcoming at www.slatebreakers.com.
Full review forthcoming at www.slatebreakers.com.
Feb 09, 2009
Heidi
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This one is cute. The illustrations would be eye-catching for children. I like the uses of color and texture, though it did take me a couple of pages to get used to it. I liked seeing the mother encouraging her daughter's imaginations and aspirations. A well-taught girl to be familiar with all of those inspirational female historical figures. And I love the last aspiration that the girl has--so glad that the author included that most important one.
Nov 12, 2011
Ashley
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Genre: Historical Fiction
Copyright: 2008
This is about a little girl named Isabella who, instead of wanting to be herself, wants to be famous and important women from history. She wants to be women such as Sally Ride, Annie Oakley, and Rosa Parks. It is a cute story. I liked that it is one of few books about women from history. I think that parents can find some humor in the little girls frequency to change her mind.
Copyright: 2008
This is about a little girl named Isabella who, instead of wanting to be herself, wants to be famous and important women from history. She wants to be women such as Sally Ride, Annie Oakley, and Rosa Parks. It is a cute story. I liked that it is one of few books about women from history. I think that parents can find some humor in the little girls frequency to change her mind.
Apr 28, 2011
Jessica
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Darling story about a little girl Isabella who frequently changes her name and becomes extremely influencial women in history such as Rosa Parks, Annie Oakley, Maire Curie, and Elizabeth Blackwell. The back of the book includes a short biography on all the women Isabella wants to become. Great for learning about women who changed the world in their own way and showing little girls they can as well!
Sep 16, 2010
Mary Ann
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I read this book on Saturday while I was working at the bookstore and sold 4 the same day because I liked it so much. It is the story of a girl and all the different heros she has. Each is based on a real life woman who did ground-breaking things. The real like bios are in the back of the book. Great book for girls 3+. I met the author tonight too :-)
Apr 09, 2011
Michelle
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I read this book to my small children while at the bookstore. They really enjoyed the book. The book is about a girl and all the different heros she has. Each is based on a real life women heroes. Fosberry included real life bios of the women in the back of the book. Great book for Pre-K students. I really enjoyed the illustrations as well.
Aug 02, 2011
Paul
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A cute, self esteem enhancer for little girls plus provides an awareness of great women. I'll bet Sally Ride never realized in how many children's books she would be featured. A bit over the top with the braggodocio of a bad rap song. OK, all rap songs. I'm the best, greatest, etc... hmmm. Awesome for your budding flygirl.
Jan 25, 2012
Kristin
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I love this book! It is a great starting point for historical figures especially for girls. The material is presented in a fun way and is something students can relate to, dramatic play. It also includes small biographies of the historical figures presented, in the back of the book. This book could be a good way to discuss atypical gender roles or just to imposer your female students. The author also has a similar version for boys.
Jan 12, 2012
Jennifer
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I loved this book! The story shows all the different, powerful women through history and how a little girl inspires to be like them. This would be a great way to introduce historical women to a class, and lead into an activity where kids choose their own names based off historical figures they aspire to be like.
Jan 11, 2011
DebbieLisa
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A girl empowering story told sweetly through the eyes of a little girl whose big dreams follow those of the famous women who carved the way before her. A good jumping off book to get young girls interested in the lives of the women who persevered and pioneered and helped make way for the opportunities available to young women today.
Nov 07, 2011
Sebin
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This ia GREAT book for the younger children to learn about the famous women in the world. The book tells what these diffrent famous women historical figures did for the world. It is really nicely illustrated. I think it is a great way to incorporate social studies with literature.
Sep 18, 2010
Alyson (Kid Lit Frenzy)
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This one surprised me. A nice twist on the typical "child wants to be called by another name". In this story, Isabella wants to be called by a different name at different times in the day. First she wants to be called Sally (as in Sally Ride) and then Annie (Oakley) and the list of famous women goes on. A nice tribute to some very special women and a great girl power book.
Jul 21, 2009
Tricia
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Great chance to expose preschool girls to famous women in history as Isabella pretends to be various figures known in this realm. Girls enjoyed the book, especially the pages in the back that explained the women who were featured.
Apr 21, 2011
Gabriela
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This is a great book for young girls, and has a humorous tone to it all. It's a fun book for using your imagination, and kids can relate to the story with wishing that they had a different name.
Sep 20, 2010
Angela
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The perfect blend of imagination and history! Should be paired with The Paperbag Princess for empowering young girls. I can't wait to share this one at storytime. I would love to see matching coloring pages that highlight the historical characters. A treat on many levels. Kudos to Sourcebooks for presenting us this gem!
May 03, 2011
Lisa
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LOVED this book, very cute! Even if your child is not named Isabella, it still has a sweet story to it. We loved it so much that we had to buy it-especially cause it's her name!
