Alma and How She Got Her Name by Juana Martinez-Neal
If you ask her, Alma Sofia Esperanza José Pura Candela has way too many names: six! How did such a small person wind up with such a large name? Alma turns to Daddy for an answer and learns of Sofia, the grandmother who loved books and flowers; Esperanza, the great-grandmother who longed to travel; José, the grandfather who was an artist; and other namesakes, too. As she hears the story of her name, Alma starts to think it might be a perfect fit after all — and realizes that she will one day have her own story to tell.
Main Focus: We are all children of God who are created to be important to God in many ways
Questions:
– What did Alma say was the problem with her name at the beginning of the book?
– What does Alma’s dad “show and tell” her?
– What did Alma say about her name at the end of the book?
– Do you know how you were given your name?
Activity: Look up other people who have the same name(s) as you have – first, middle, last. We can use the church directory. Do you have anything in common other than your name? Write a note or send a picture to them.