What’s in a name? Almost 500 years ago, Shakespeare asked this poignant question. When I read My Name is Wakawakaloch to my preschooler, we both fell in love with the prehistoric story and the importance it places on names. Today, I’m partnering with HMH Books for Young Readers to introduce you to the book and help you find out what your prehistoric name is!
Everyone says Wakawakaloch’s name wrong. In fact, nobody ever says it right. That might be because all the other kids have easy names like Oog and Goog. When Wakawakaloch decides to change her name, her parents send her to see the wisest elder in their Neanderthal village. With his help and a little encouragement from her parents, Wakawakaloch learns why her name is so important. It inspires her to help other kids appreciate their names too, no matter how hard they are to pronounce.
I absolutely loved this charming story. Wakawakaloch starts out grumpy and prickly because nobody can pronounce her name correctly. Once she learns how special her name is, her attitude changes and she understands why her parents gave it to her. What used to be a source of frustration becomes a source of pride.
The expressive illustrations and humorous writing deliver a story about the importance of weird family names that get passed down through generations. Those names come with real people, legacies, and stories attached to them. This charming story will tickle your child’s funny bone and get them thinking about the meaning of their own name.
This is a fantastic book to read if your child has a unique family name or if they just like funny picture books. The Neanderthal setting makes the story even funnier.
What’s Your Prehistoric Name?
With all this talk about names and neanderthals, the obvious next step is to find out what your prehistoric name is. Use the chart below to find out what hard-to-say name your parents would have given you if you were a neanderthal.
For example, I’m wearing a pink shirt, my zodiac sign is Leo, and the last digit of my age is 6. My prehistoric name is Kawanabah.
About the Book
My Name is Wakawakaloch by Chana Stiefel, illustrated by Mary Sullivan
In this lighthearted picture book, the intrepid, determined, and savvy Wakawakaloch learns to embrace what makes her special while lifting up her neanderthal community. Perfect for fans of Vera Brosgol and Emily Hughes.
No one can pronounce Wakawakaloch’s name. Why couldn’t she be called something simple . . . like Gloop? That’s a name you can find on a T-shirt! But after a visit with her tribe’s elder, Wakawakaloch discovers what her name means, and how powerful names can be. Gloop may be easy to say, but the girl who helps her friends embrace differences and wear their names proudly? Her name is Wakawakaloch!
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35 COMMENTS
Antoinette M
5 years agoMy name is Sawanaloch!
Dena at Batch of Books
5 years ago AUTHORI love it! 😂
donna holder
5 years agofaba. really neat
Beth Talmage
5 years agoMy name is Froboogasha. I’m a little jealous of Sawanaloch, whose name is prettier. (Do we ever, really, advance from the 3rd grade? Not at midnight we don’t!)
Dena at Batch of Books
5 years ago AUTHORBut your name is so fun! You could go by Frobo for short 😉
Gina Ferrell
5 years agoMy prehistoric name is Yulonalan
Thomas Gibson
5 years agoMy prehistoric name is Safabamey. I think someone has already called me that a time or two.
Dena at Batch of Books
5 years ago AUTHORI love that! 😂
Christine Yvonne Groce
5 years agoMy prehistoric name is Frosayaray
Karley Moore
5 years agoMy name would be Salonana. Thanks for the cute giveaway!
gracefulcoffee
5 years agoI’m ka-lona-loch!
mia2009(at)comcast(dot)net
Jessie Ash
5 years agoFroHeeDan is my name!
Pauline Milner
5 years agoMeet Allasayaloch! Thanks for the fun name and the super giveaway opportunity!
Heidi
5 years agoMy name would be Frobarodan
Katie
5 years agoSaheedan. LOL!
Courtney H.
5 years agoAllahonona
Pauline Milner
5 years agoHello. I just wanted you to know that your entry form is not working today. It says, ‘shucks, we didn’t get your entry.’ I have tried several times. Just wanted you to know. Thanks.
Dena at Batch of Books
5 years ago AUTHORThank you for alerting me, Pauline! There was a problem with the widgets. It should be working now.
Natalie
5 years agoWaionabee is my name!
Donna
5 years agoMy name would be Frobahasha!
dbranigan
5 years agoNy name would be Allaionabee. I like it.
Julie Waldron
5 years agoMine is HeeBahaMey 🙂
EMMA L HORTON
5 years agoMY NAME WOULD BE WAWANAMEY
Pamela Flynn
5 years agoSaboogamey
Stacy Hancock
5 years agoFrowanalan
Danielle Hammelef
5 years agoAlla sala loch
Christina Gould
5 years agoMy name is DeeHeeZan. Thanks for the giveaway!
Laurie Nykaza
5 years agoMy name is Shawanaloch it so funny.
DorothyJ Boucher
5 years agoLoaLionaDan 🙂
@tisonlyme143
amyc
5 years agoKaBaroNa
Love it!
wen budro
5 years agoSasalaray is my prehistoric name. I like it.
hofken
5 years agoFrofabaloch
REBECCA STEPHEN
5 years agomy children love me reading to them
Jessica Peeling
5 years agoFroboogaloch!
Tony Platz
5 years agoYufabadan