B MY NAME IS BOY

Ready to meet some new international friends?

Following in the footsteps of Masi’s G My Name Is Girl (2021), this companion title focuses on two male characters for each letter of the alphabet. The formula is similar to that of its predecessor, in that a child and a companion—a sibling, a friend, or an older family member—are introduced, their country of origin is named, and they explain what they can do, accompanied by muted, pleasant artwork. For example, “Q my name is QABIL, and my classmate’s name is QAMAR. We come from QATAR, and we can QUESTION.” (Readers and caregivers familiar with the jump-rope game will immediately catch on.) Like the earlier book, this one stumbles a bit on X, as the letter appears in the words but isn’t the initial letter. This often encountered alphabet-book issue aside, the story is a useful tool for caregivers and educators looking to both introduce geography to readers and challenge youngsters to reconsider the roles boys and men play in their communities—these diverse male characters “soothe,” “reconcile,” “nourish,” and “embrace.” If there’s ever a third installment, hopefully it will show boys and girls playing together and will do something to help nonbinary children feel seen. A simplified world map in the back identifies the countries by a letter and the face of the boy from that region. (This book was reviewed digitally.)

An amusing alphabet book that makes the world seem friendlier.