Josephina Hates Her Name

Engel, Diana

ISBN 10: 068807796X ISBN 13: 9780688077969

Publisher: William Morrow & Co, 1989

Synopsis

A little alligator sees a virtue where before she saw a handicap, when her grandmother reveals the source of her name

About this title

From School Library Journal:

Kindergarten-Grade 3-- This lively and affectionate picture book continues the adventures of Josephina, first introduced in Josephina, the Great Collector (Morrow, 1988) . This time, the irrepressible alligator child wonders why she was saddled with such an ugly name. Then Grandma tells the story of her own feisty sister--named Josephina--who inspired her to courage and adventure. Engel's ink-and-watercolor illustrations are bursting with energy, drama, and delightful details of the alligators' home life. Josephina is a believable and completely realized child; her green alligator skin makes her more universally human than if she were shown as a girl of any particular race or class. Fortunately, Grandma's words do not solve things; instead they provide the stuff of fantasies and dreams that allows Josephina to leap time and distance to identify with her great-aunt. The story is rich with an understanding of the importance that family members have in each other's lives, whether they live in the same house or are separated by generations and continents. The pride that Josephina takes in her name at the end is genuine. This funny, insightful, and heart-warming book is perfect for reading aloud. --Carolyn Polese, Gateway Community School, Arcata, Calif.
Copyright 1989 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review:

"Engel's ink-and-watercolor illustrations are bursting with energy, drama, and delightful details. . . . This funny, insightful and heart-warming book is perfect for reading aloud."
―School Library Journal (starred review)

"Engel's bright green alligator family is amusingly offbeat and her pictures energetic. Children will see more than a bit of themselves here."
―Booklist

"Engel's ink-and-watercolor illustrations are bursting with energy, drama, and delightful details. . . . This funny, insightful and heart-warming book is perfect for reading aloud."
School Library Journal (starred review)

"Engel's bright green alligator family is amusingly offbeat and her pictures energetic. Children will see more than a bit of themselves here."
Booklist

About this edition

• Publisher: William Morrow & Co
• Publication date: 1989
• ISBN 10: 068807796X
• ISBN 13: 9780688077969
• Binding: Library Binding
• Number of pages: 34