I Am Cherished

An exceptional story for the first few weeks of a new school year, I am Cherished by Onome Ako and Ken Daley shares the story of a special name and a reminder that all names are important and beautiful.

Kikelomo is so excited to start her first day at a new school but her excitement quickly turns to sadness when her classmates tease her about her name. When she gets home her parents remind her how special her name is which she then in turn proudly tells her class the next day. This prompts the rest of the class to share the meanings of their names and why they are special.

I love this story by Onome Ako so much, especially as a back to school story. We live in a global world and names have so much significance. Everyone’s name has a story and this book serves as an important reminder that we should all cherish not only our own names but the names of the people around us and learn how to honour our friends and classmates by learning their names and saying them correctly.  

Many readers have the privilege of having classmates from different backgrounds with names that may be uncommon in North America but no less magnificent and special. I love how educators can use this story as a way to invite children to share some of themselves with the class and help build a sense of community that is so important at the beginning of the school year. 

I am Cherished is also a story for readers who may have experienced or be experiencing the same misunderstanding towards their names as Kikelomo and to remind them of all the ways they are so special to their families and friends.

Ken Daly’s illustrations are full of love and joy. As Kikelomo’s parents are helping her remember why her name means cherished, readers have the opportunity to see a big loving family embracing each other and joyfully sharing their favourite parts of themselves with each other. Readers cannot help but feel happiness and love emanating from the pictures.