Review Detail

Reader reviewed by Rita Lorraine Hubbard, The Original H.I.R. (Historical Investigative Reporter)

For every little girl who ever dreamed of being something great - like a doctor or sharp-shooter or astronaut, My Name is Not Isabella, is the perfect reading material!

My Name is Not Isabella, by science-geek-turned-children's-author, Jennifer Fosberry, is the fresh and original story of a little girl named Isabella who tries on several hats from history to determine which one is the best fit.

As Isabella's mother interacts with her throughout the day, feisty-but-always-respectful Isabella informs her mother she is not Isabella, but rather some other wonderful and inspiring woman from history who has changed the world.

Isabella imagines she is physician Elizabeth Blackwell, sharp-shooter Annie Oakley, brave activist Rosa Parks, and more. She evens imagines being Mommy, who by the way she describes as "the greatest, sweetest mother who ever was."

This brief but extremely well-written book will leave you feeling warm all over--and not just because the illustrations are rendered in soft and warm earth tones. Rather, it is because any reader can see--and feel--the love and care that went into the writing and making of this book; from artist Mike Litwin's stand-out illustrations to author Jennifer Fosberry's clever ability to speak volumes about the art of good parenting and mother-daughter bonding without saying a word about either.

If you teach a history class, a girl's class, or even a parenting class, be sure to include this wonderful book in your list of resources. You'll be glad you did.