I like Alma and How She Got Her Name better....but this is a good comparison for embracing the meaning behind our names. ( )

Like many kids, Vanessa is nervous about the first day of school. She picks out her own outfit - "but the other kids didn't get Vanessa's in outfit the way she'd hoped they would." After a few more things go wrong (it takes Vanessa longer to write her name than all the other kids), Vanessa feels that "This day wasn't special. Her outfit wasn't special. And neither was Vanessa." That night Vanessa doesn't want to talk to her parents about it, but in the morning, her mom explains the meaning of her name: "Vanessa means 'metamorphosis'...I gave you a name that would help you become whoever you want to be." Sharing the meaning of her name at school helps Vanessa feel proud and comfortable.

Vibrant art is as colorful as a kindergarten classroom. Vanessa and her parents are Black; the teacher is white, and the other kids are Black and white.

See also: School's First Day of School by Adam Rex and Christian Robinson; Fancy Nancy by Jane O'Connor and Robin Preiss Glasser ( )

Lovely illustrated picture book.

Little Vanessa put a smile on my face! Perfect story for first day of school jitters.

I really enjoyed the positive messages and the accompanying art is wonderful!
I am unsure how it is categorized: collage with overlaid illustrations?
In any case, it is vibrant, fun and interesting to take time to discover the reused papers making up the layers. ( )