Description
Abdullah’s Bear Needs a Name! by British-Pakistani author Yasmin Hanif is a story with roots in culture but also the universal aspect of growing up, having to label things you identify with and love, and recognizing your family’s role in your life. Abdullah lives in a Muslim household that is currently celebrating Eid al-Fitr; during the celebrations, he receives a teddy bear as a gift from his Abba (father), and is now tasked with having to name it. This is harder than it sounds, but after getting input from family members, it helps him come up with the perfect name.
Even though the story contains characters with different cultural traditions than many Americans, the main part of Abdullah getting a teddy bear and needing to name it is a universal concept for young readers and older ones reading aloud. Readers will learn some new words in Arabic throughout the book, with their definitions (if not figured out in the story) found in the back. The illustrations are full-color and enhance the overall story.
