The Boy Who Tried to Shrink His Name: CBCA Award for New Illustrator

(Hardback)

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Description

WhenZimdalamashkermishkadastarts a new school, he knows hes gotto dosomething about his long name.

When no amount of shrinking, folding or crumpling works, he simplysettles forZim but deep down, it doesnt feel right.Its not until a newfriend sees him forwho he trulyisthatZimdalamashkermishkadafindsthe confidence to step boldlyinto hislong name.

A warm and uplifting story thatencourages young readers to celebratetheirindividuality, and shows how no-one should ever have to shrinkthemselves downto fit in.

• Winner of the 2022Children's Book Council of Australia's Award for New Illustrator
• Selected as the January/February 2023 American Booksellers Association'sKids' Indie Next Title
• 2023 Outstanding International Book for USBBY (United States Board on Books for Young People)

Reviews

'With gentle compassion and tender wisdom, this Australian import portrays the challenges and joys of starting over in a new setting, juxtaposing fraught school days with the cozy warmth of evenings at home.Pereiras block print style digital artwork brings Zimdalamashkermishkadas name to vibrant life in bright orange against the muted pink, green, and brown palette as it sprawls across the pages trailing after him, strikes his desk as a lightning bolt, and unfolds into an endless paper accordion that wont stay neatly contained.When he begins to teach Elly his name, the unruly shapes begin to take the form of a bird, adding more detail with each syllable until it soars gloriously across a two-page spread in joyous, fiery tones when Elly says the whole thing. This sensitive book will make an excellent lead-in to age-appropriate discussions about difference and belonging.' TheBulletinoftheCenterforChildrens Books

Author Bio

Sandhya Parappukkaran left her job as a Food Technologist so she could put her feet up and read. Then she rediscovered her passion for childrens books. Her stories are inspired by her multicultural experience and include scrumptious food from her Kerala Indian heritage. Sandhya resides in Brisbane with her family.

Michelle Pereira is an illustrator who spent her childhood in Nairobi, Kenya and now lives in Melbourne, Australia. She graduated from Monash University with a Bachelor of Communication Design and became a professional illustrator after a somewhat extended, but enjoyable, stint of bar work. She has worked with a range of clients such as Penguin UK, Netflix, the New York Times and Marie Claire. She uses bright colours and textural elements to create playful illustrations.