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83rd out of 121 books
—
20 voters
My Name Is Not Alexander
by
Jennifer Fosberry (Goodreads Author),
Mike Litwin
"Just How Big Can a Little kid Dream?"
"Who is your hero?"
Alexander takes a rip-roaring historical adventure! Through his imaginative journey, Alexander discovers how great men become heroes: the roughest rider can be surprisingly gentle, a strong leader is also the most peaceful, and sometimes, being brave about what makes you different will not only help you break records...more
"Who is your hero?"
Alexander takes a rip-roaring historical adventure! Through his imaginative journey, Alexander discovers how great men become heroes: the roughest rider can be surprisingly gentle, a strong leader is also the most peaceful, and sometimes, being brave about what makes you different will not only help you break records...more
Hardcover, 32 pages
Published
March 1st 2011
by Sourcebooks Jabberwocky
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Things I like: The way the dad plays along (ALL DAY) with the boy's game, remembering who he was each time; the way the dad responds in kind to each persona ("Let me see that BRILLIANT smile LIGHT up the room," when the boy is brushing his teeth and being Edison). I like the notes in the back, the long paragraph with biographical details, and the short definition of "President," "Dancer," "Inventor," etc. I liked the things the two did together (have breakfast, go to a ball game, visit Grandma,...more
As a follow up to her delightful picture book, My Name Is Not Isabella, where a little girl dreamed about being like famous women in history, author Jennifer Fosberry has turned her attention to famous men and a little boy who dreams of being like them.
In My Name Is Not Alexander, a dad wakes his young son, saying, “Good morning, Alexander. It’s time for breakfast, and then let’s play ball.”
Alexander says, “My name is not Alexander!”
”Then who has been sleeping in my son’s bed?” asked the father....more
In My Name Is Not Alexander, a dad wakes his young son, saying, “Good morning, Alexander. It’s time for breakfast, and then let’s play ball.”
Alexander says, “My name is not Alexander!”
”Then who has been sleeping in my son’s bed?” asked the father....more
In My Name Is Not Alexander, a young boy goes throughout his day, refusing to be called by his own name, Alexander, but rather choosing, each time, a new (historical) hero to be called after. Each time his father calls him the name he last used, he chooses a new name–that of a specific hero. The story has a playful feel to it, and a good rhythm, with the reader quickly expecting that the boy will try on a new hero and name. In the first few pages the text felt a bit stilted, but it quickly becam...more
As time goes by, Alexander imagines himself as various famous men, including Teddy Roosevelt, Thomas Edison, Chief Joseph, Fred Astaire, Jackie Robinson, and even his own father. Each time his father calls him by the name he's requested, he changes who he is. The story pays tribute to men who dreamed big dreams and add different definitions to heroism. The illustrations will make readers smile because of their detail; for instance, Roosevelt is shown riding with--you guessed it--a teddy bear. Th...more
Meh, as with My Name is Not Isabella, I love the concept of teaching kids about important historical figures through a child's day of make-believe. I just feel like the execution in these books lacks...something. The illustrations are ever so slightly creepy with the Coraline-esque button-eyed teddy bears, and the historical figures aren't always those I would consider "important" (I'm a fairly educated gal, so if I have to stop reading and flip to the back of the book to see who the person is,...more
Now it is time for our bedtime story. We are going to explore 'My name is not Alexander' tonight. We had read one before about Isabella before, where she tried on the roles of different famous ladies. Well Alexander is doing the same thing. He pretends to be Thomas Edison, Fred Astair and other great men. I know how much fun it is to pretend and so do the kiddos. I know that Jennifer Fosberry is happy working with Mike Litwin. Their first book, My Name is not Isabella has become a New York Times...more
This book is delightful. The illustrations are very detailed, yet they sort of look as if they have been drawn with crayons. The story is educational, but also fun as it will encourage kids to use their imagination, whether about real people or not. There is a section in the back describing the feats of all the people Alexander pretends to be, including Daddy. This is done very well, straightforward and not "dumbed down". This book also ends with Alexander just being Alexander. I think this is g...more
In this book the little boy "Alexander" decides that he isn't "Alexander". Instead throughout the day he is Theodore Roosevelt, Thomas Edison, Chief Joseph, Fred Astaire, Jackie Robinson, and "Daddy". It is fun to see the boy change his mind about who he is and why he "is" that particular person. Even though many little kids wouldn't know who these heroes are without some sort of background, I love the fact that it celebrates the heroes and the imagination. Lots of fun for kids who have dreams a...more
I read this book at the same time/immediately after I read My Name is Not Isabella.
One thing that bugs me about this one, in the Isabella book, the subtitle is “Just how big can a little girl dream?” So, are boys not allowed to dream?! Here the subtitle is “Just how big can a little kid dream?” This book is the boy counterpart to the Isabella girl book, so why the change of terminology?
So, the premise is fun. Alexander claims he’s not Alexander but a whole different set of people, a different pe...more
One thing that bugs me about this one, in the Isabella book, the subtitle is “Just how big can a little girl dream?” So, are boys not allowed to dream?! Here the subtitle is “Just how big can a little kid dream?” This book is the boy counterpart to the Isabella girl book, so why the change of terminology?
So, the premise is fun. Alexander claims he’s not Alexander but a whole different set of people, a different pe...more
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This will be appreciated most by children who have background knowledge of the historical characters which are introduced. It would also be a great book for elementary school teachers who would like to introduce these individuals.
Subjects
Boys -- Juvenile fiction.
Men -- Juvenile fiction.
Women -- Juvenile fiction
Imagination -- Juvenile fiction
Identity (Philosophical concept) -- Juvenile fiction.
Subjects
Boys -- Juvenile fiction.
Men -- Juvenile fiction.
Women -- Juvenile fiction
Imagination -- Juvenile fiction
Identity (Philosophical concept) -- Juvenile fiction.
Excellent book which uses a boy's imagination to travel through time and describe various historical figures. The father plays along and calls the boy by the new name. Teddy Roosevelt, Thomas Edison, Chief Joseph, Fred Astaire, Jackie Robinson, and finally the boy's father. Very well written and opens a classroom to many possibilities.
Ask your students who they would pick and what they would write about for their historical figures.
Ask your students who they would pick and what they would write about for their historical figures.
This is a fun tale of a young boy who shares the men who inspire him with his dad, by pretending to be each one in turn throughout the day. I have been looking for the girl's version of this story, My Name is Not Isabella at our local library, but it is not available yet. I will just have to keep my eyes open for it...
This is one of my favorite books! It is about a little boy named Alexander who has big dreams and an awesome imagination! He pretends to be different important men of history. For example, Thomas Edison, Fred Astaire and more. This is a great book to talk to children about being themselves, but also to talk to them about aspiring to dream big! You can also talk to the students about all the wonderful historic women role models.
In September last year I introduced you to an awesome book of inspiration (New York Times Bestseller) My Name is Not Isabella, and now there is one of the male influence with Alexander! I absolutely love the Isabella book and I really do like this Alexander book. Same artist but geared toward a different audience I have to admit I prefer the Isabella book, but then I am a girl and mother of a girl. Yet in the same manner through out the day the inspiration that this little boy thrives on is amaz...more
Great book to teach students that it is ok to have an imagination. They can be anything they want to be if they can imagine it. Having an imagination is so important for students to have and this book really gives childrent the opportunity to how fun it is to have an imagination. Having an imagination is very important when it comes to literacy so this is definitely a book I would like to have in my class room.
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A young boy changes his name every few minutes depending on what he's interested in doing at the moment. When he is Alexander, he is the greatest inventor ever. When he is Teddy, he is the toughest United States President ever.
Cute father-son story that would make a great springboard for team research projects about the historical men represented by the names the boy calls himself.
Cute father-son story that would make a great springboard for team research projects about the historical men represented by the names the boy calls himself.
Recommended by kids for NYRA 2013, a very sweet story of a boy and his father going about the day, doing different activities. The boy, Alexander, mentions various historical and famous people who he pretends to be. It can be educational in terms of introducing historical figures, and I think it can be great book to read to K-2 kids for Father's Day.
Last fall, My Name is Not Isabella gave little girls women to look up to -- now Fosberry's newest does the same for boys! A little boy named Alexander decides to be Teddy Roosevelt, then Fred Astaire, and even Jackie Robinson, among other greats. For more info, kids can check out the mini bios in the back. A fun and informative read!
--Review by Lauren
--Review by Lauren
This was sucha great book about imagination and the importance of having one. Having an imagination allows you to dream about whatever you want to be based on the influential people of society that came before us such as: Jackie Robinson and fred Astaire. I really loved this book because even the dad joined in the child's imaginative game.
Cute- an interaction between father and son, where the son pretends to be notable men throughout history. While stating that he is NOT Alexander- he claims to be various men doing various activities, that are much more exciting (to him!) then his normal, everyday life and the activities he is doing with day. A good way to introduce your children to some historical figures :)
Sweet tale about a playful father who spends the day running errands, and just having fun with his son... who is not Alexander. Instead Alexander chooses to step into shoes, boots and moccasins of famous historical figures. Great read-aloud with some introduction into biographies for children.
This book uses rhyming to show children how big their imagination can be. It also teaches children about 5 influential men in American history. It uses context clues to assist the reader in figuring out who they are and what they did while at the same time introducing them to new vocabulary.
Wow! I loved this book as much as my children! My youngest son was fascinated by the pictures and the story of a little boy named Alexander. From waking in the morning till going to bed this little boy is constantly pretending to be someone else. After the second reading of this my little boy was reading it back. I really appreciated how the author included an biography page in the back describing each person that young Alexander was pretending to be. My son was asking who is Cheif Joseph, and T...more
This is a wonderful book for lessons on historical figures. This book focuses on the famous men in the world that changed the world. It provides colorful pictures and explanation of the historical figures in the back of the book.
Loving story about the special bond between an imaginative little boy and his adoring father. This would make a great gift from a father to his son. Also the perfect book to read to a youngster at bedtime.
Cute book about a little boy who imagines he is an assortment of real-life famous people. Best part (for me) was the way the father allowed the boy to dream and role play to his heart's content...
I love this series (My Name is Not...). I've read this countless times to my kids and the back matter is really good. Even adults could learn a few tidbits of facts. Highly recommended.
Oct 18, 2011
Callie Risse
rated it
4 of 5 stars
Shelves:
contemporary-realistic-fiction,
trade-books
Alexander likes to pretend that he is somebody else, like Thomas Edison, Jackie Robinson, and his dad. This book is about heroes and how they shape a child's life.
A little boy daydreams that he is various notable men in history. A great early book for discussing the accomplishments of eminent people.
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Jennifer Fosberry is a science geek turned children's book author. After working in the high-tech industry in Silicon Valley and running away to Costa Rica for a few years, she returned to the San Francisco Bay area to read, write, raise kids, and get out of doing the housework. She lives with her husband and three children and her little dog, too.
More about Jennifer Fosberry...
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