My Name Is Long as a River

by Suma Subramaniam, Tara Anand (Illustrator)

In this sweeping picture book, an Indian girl discovers the power of her name as she travels along the river she was named after.

What’s so special about your name?

Kaveri Thanjavur Jayalakshmi Ganesan doesn’t think there is anything special about her very long name—in fact, she would prefer to be called “Kav.” But Paati reminds Kaveri that her name was inspired by her family’s heritage, where she was born, and the powerful river they journey across for the Pushkaram Festival. Along the way, Kaveri’s eyes and heart are opened to the beauty and magic her name holds.

Through Suma Subramaniam’s lyrical and tender writing and Tara Anand’s radiant illustrations, My Name Is Long as a River offers messages of cultural pride, self-confidence, and empowerment.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Family, Fiction, Aapi

Kindle Edition

Published May 28, 2024

About the author

Suma Subramaniam earned her MFA in writing from Vermont College of Fine Arts and a certificate in popular fiction from the University of Washington. Suma Subramaniam lives in Washington State.

Reviews

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don't pick up a lot of picture books, but this one caught my eye in the Edelweiss catalogs. It's such a pretty picture about loving your name even if it's long. All those pieces of your name mean something!

[Kate Hosford · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this beautiful and lyrical book, Kav and her family journey to the Kaveri Pushkaram festival in India together. Kav (as she prefers to be called) is embarrassed of her long name, but in the course of the journey, her grandmother explains that her first name (Kaveri) came from her great grandmother, and from the river Kaveri. As they purchase train tickets to Thanjavur, her grandmother explains that Kav's second name came from this destination, which was also Kav's birthplace. The train whooshes through the countryside, and Kav is caught in a thunder storm.

Her mother assures Kav that she will protect her-just like the goddess Jayalakshmi, her grandmother adds. Jayalakshmi, Kav's third name, belongs not only to the goddess, but to Kav's mother as well. Her fourth name is that of her father, and the elephant god Ganesh. Soon we see Kav meeting an actual elephant with her father and touching his trunk gently. When they reach their relatives, Kav also notes that no one in her extended family trips over a single syllable in her name. They are all able to say it perfectly.

What really makes this story sing is that Kav's story of self-acceptance takes place over the course of a stunning journey through India (depicted beautifully by illustrator Tara Anand) where her family members gently show their love toward her by letting her know how carefully she was named, and how each of her names bond her to them.

The intermingling of enthusiasm for the river and Kav's enthusiasm for her own name is lovely as she notes:

We ride a bus and reach Kaveri's
shore. Along the riverbank, farmers plant
rice and praise. "Long live Kaveri!"

They're not shouting for me,
but my heart blooms as they honor the river.

At the end of the book, Kav stands by the bank of the Kaveri, and proudly says that her name is as long as a river. The gathering of her four names is subtly mirrored by the gathering crowd that has assembled for the festival.

The author has also included a good deal of helpful back matter: an author's note about Indian naming traditions, a guide for pronouncing someone's name, a map of India, and a page of quotations about the Kaveri river.

I highly recommend this stunning book!

[Maileen Hamto · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kaveri Thanjavur Jayalakshi Ganesan, lovingly known as “Kav,” is apprehensive about her long name. Her Paati (grandmother) often reminds her that her name is a testament to her family's rich heritage, the place where her people originated, and the revered river Kaveri. As they embark on a train journey to the Pushkaram festival, a celebration held every 12 years to honor the river’s blessings, Kaveri's understanding of the beauty and significance of her name deepens, filling her with joy and appreciation.

"My Name is Long As a River" is Suma Subramaniam lyrical ode to the charm and elegance of traditional South Indian culture, an offering to young readers of Indian descent. Readers from other ethnicities will benefit from learning about the rich tradition of giving names and the importance of honoring how one prefers to be called. Illustrator Tara Anand brings the story to life with colorful palettes.

Children of various ethnic and racial groups who grow up in the West are often expected to assimilate and hide their differences, which can include changing or Anglicizing their names. The “Getting the Name Right” section in the book is a valuable resource, offering practical tips for readers of all ages to learn how to educate others about their name and culture. It also includes a list of tips that promote respect for all names and identities, fostering a deeper understanding and appreciation of diverse cultures.

[Amanda Lewis · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a kind and inventive story! Suma Subramaniam has told a story that leads her young protagonist from embarrassment to pride. We see Kaveri working alongside her grandmother and family as they prepare to join the rest of the family for the annual Kaveri Pushkaram Festival. The festival is named after the river that Kaveri herself is named for. In fact, in the original script, her written name has the dancing cursive feel of a river. As Kaveri’s family journey takes her through aspects of her name, she becomes grounded in a sense of who she is. Tara Anand’s bright illustrations show us the power of the countryside, the river, tradition, and culture. They also highlight common shared experiences. The journey helps Kaveri Thanjavur Jayalakshmi Ganesan to understand that her long name is something that flows through her family’s history, just as the river flows through the countryside. “I belong to it, and it belongs to me.”
Would that we all had such a sense of belonging, connected through our name and our family history!

[Stephanie Affinito · Rating 5 out of 5]

My Name is as Long as a River by Suma Subramaniam and illustrated by Tara Anand gave me all the warm feels and helped me connect to my name I way I never would have without reading this book. It’s a stunning picture book that follows Kaveri as she slowly learns to embrace and even love her name. As we follow Kaveri’s physical and emotional journey across the Kaveri River to the Pushkaram Festival, we see her slowly start to appreciate, love and become proud of her long name. Illustrated with rich colors and brush strokes, the alchemy of words and illustrations provides readers with an experience on the page they can’t help but feel off of it, too. After reading, I spent some time learning the origin story of my given name and connected with my parents to learn their rationale…and now have some pretty cool tidbits about myself I never knew. This is a beautiful book celebrating the power of names, the history behind them and why they matter to who we are.

[Rebecca Gardyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow. I am blown away by the beauty of this book on so many levels. The author and illustrator weave together gorgeous imagery and rich language in their tale of a little girl, Kaveri, whose full name is very long and difficult for others to pronounce. Kaveri begins the story disliking her name and wanting to be called “Kav,” but by the end – as she starts to understand the meaning and symbolism behind her naming – uncovers a newfound pride in her name and its deep connection to her family, history, and heritage. I won’t give it away, but the last line absolutely took my breath away. The back matter is extensive, offering an Author’s Note, Glossary, details about and lines of poetry that others have written that describe the real Kaveri River in South India and the festival that honors it. There are even instructions for kids on “How To Proudly State Your Name” and “How Can You Learn To Say Someone’s Name Correctly.” This book is an absolute masterpiece.

[Dianne White · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kaveri has a long name - Kaveri Thanjavur Jayalakshmi Ganesan. Her Paati reminds her, "It is yours to own."

Kav prefers her shortened nickname.

As the family works together, ironing saris and putting them into boxes, they also prepare to return to their ancestral home in Thanjavur. There, they will see their relatives and celebrate the Kaveri Pushkaram festival, a celebration of the river that happens once every twelve years.

During the family's time together, Kav is reminded of the importance of a name, and comes to realize that each for her four names was chosen especially for her.

MY NAME IS LONG AS A RIVER is a beautiful introduction to the power of names to represent, not only who we are but, also, to acknowlege our history, culture, and the strength that can be found when we embrace our given names.

[Debbie Zapata · Rating 5 out of 5]

As someone who grew up with a name that is hard to pronounce, I find it wonderful to read a first-hand account of a young protagonist who also prefers one short name that people can say. However, her family and homeland remind her why her name is significant and special. Suma Subramaniam's beautiful, lyrical fiction writing tells this story with the richness of a picture book biography, placing us in the subject's heart. Tara Anand's colorful illustrations illuminate the reader's journey from one scene to another. I highly recommend this book to help young people feel pride in their names and encourage everyone to learn how to pronounce names with kindness, as illustrated in the backmatter.

[Lydia Lukidis · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is phenomenal!
I was sold on this book ever since I saw its lyrical title. It resonates deeply with me because I'm Greek and our names are often mispronounced. I think many children will relate to this as well.
A young Indian girl, Kaveri, chats with her grandmother about what her name means and why it's special. I especially love the notion that a name is special because it belomgs to you and you belong to it. The narrative progresses and throughout her experiences, Kaveri comes to fully understand sand appreciate her name.

[Shruthi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book on so many levels!

Kaveri has a very long name, and as the story progresses, Kaveri is led through a journey during which she understands and appreciates the importance of each part of her name, and how meaningful it is. Beautifully and sensitively told, this is a heartwarming story with an absolutely gorgeous ending. The illustrations are stunning and totally do justice to the text. It has a detailed and very useful backmatter.

A must-have for every library. Highly recommend.

[Angela Dale · Rating 5 out of 5]

Names are important, beautiful, unique and our own. I love this story of how a young girl, who wants to go by Kav, learns about the history and beauty and meaning of her full name, Kaveri Thanjavur Jayalakshmi Ganesan, and learns to embrace it. Great backmatter on how to learn other's names, and how to teach your name to others, with pride and patience. Vibrant and moving illustrations wonderfully mirror the depths of the story.

[Mr. Lowton · Rating 4 out of 5]

2024 Picture Book. American (Seattle) Author. Indian Illustrator based in NYC.

Summary:Protagonist learns why her name is so long.

What I liked: Diverse perspective of names. Illustrations are great. Text includes phonetic pronunciation guide. Glossary of terms. Author's note. Section on how to pronounce a name. Information about poems and sayings. Map and description of Kaveri River. Some (what I think is) Brahmi script.

What I didn't like: Not much.

Overall, good purchase to diversify library.

[Alicia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another picture book to showcase the importance of learning names and pronouncing them correctly. In this story, Kaveri Thanjavur Jayalakshmi Ganesan is okay shortening her name because it's hard for people to know how to say it, but her family teaches her about her beautiful name connected to the Kaveri River in India in addition to her family and religion and region.

Plus at the end there's information about the river and culture that is shared in the story.

[Alyssa Reynoso-Morris · Rating 5 out of 5]

A sweet intergenerational story about the beauty behind having a long and meaningful name. As a Dominican and Puerto Rican mom, who had the privilege of studying abroad in India for 7 months, I loved this book. The way the book incorporates cultural elements seamlessly took me back to my time in India, which I miss dearly. This book transported me. The illustrations complimented the text beautifully. I'm happy to add this stunning book to our home library.

[Judithcaryn · Rating 4 out of 5]

A beautiful cultural story from South India. Meet a Kav, (it’s her nickname) a girl with a name 33 letters long! Follow Kav as she begins to appreciate why she is named Kaveri Thanjavur Jayalakshmi Ganesan. As she and her family prepare for a once in 12 year festival, Kav embarks on a journey that allows her to feel and see where she and her name come from…. By the river.


Recommended for ages 7 to 12 by the SEPA Book Reviewers

[Kimberly Wilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

As Kav travels the river she is named after, she learns about her name, its significance, and its history—and also grows to embrace and appreciate it. This beautifully written book, paired with bold, bright illustrations immerses the reader in a rich cultural experience and is a wonderful addition to any bookshelf!

[Robyn McGrath · Rating 5 out of 5]

A young Indian girl sets forth on a journey to learn the meaning of her name. Along the way we discover the power of Kav’s name and its ties to her family and culture. The beautiful illustrations accompany the heartfelt story about the importance of one’s name.

[Sarah Aronson · Rating 5 out of 5]

A heartfelt picture book about the meaning of a name!
Lush, colorful illustrations amplify the deeply felt emotions attached to a very long name. A beautiful name!

I loved this book!

[Panda Incognito · Rating 4 out of 5]

This picture book is beautiful and meaningful, and the illustrations are spectacular. I would recommend this for all ages.

[Lyla · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked this book, it made me smile.

[Unica Godina Le · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love the message of this book. This is about having self-confidence and pride in the meaning behind your name. No matter how short or long it is, or no matter how hard it could roll under your tongue, your name represents something — a symbol, a meaning, a family origin, etc. This book includes beautiful images and a powerful message of cultural pride and empowerment.

[Aolund · Rating 4 out of 5]

The sweet and powerful story of a child whose long name connects her to herself, her land, and her family.

Themes: Names, India, Be Yourself, Self-Esteem
Age range: Kindergarten-Elementary

[Hema Penmetsa · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a stunning book! The brilliant text by Suma Subramaniam and the vibrant illustrations by Tara Anand come together to tell a story of pride in one's roots and love for family and tradition.

[Carrie Tillotson · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful story that is a celebration of names, identity, and belonging.

[Bookishrealm · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great reminder of the power and beauty of a name. I loved the back matter information and Tara Anand did a wonderful job with the artwork!

[Adam Gutschenritter · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great story on the importance of a name.