My Name Is Ai Lin

by Maria Wen Adcock, Yu Ting Cheng (illustrator)

When Ai Lin starts school, none of her classmates can say her name. The children make several attempts, but they still cannot pronounce it properly. They ask Ai Lin if they can just call her by another name. It's not that important, right? But Ai Lin knows the significance of her Chinese name. No, it can't be changed. Her name is part of her identity and heritage. Her name was chosen not only for what it means, but also for how it sounds. It ties her to her family--present and past--and to its traditions. When Ai Lin shares her family history with her classmates, they come to understand that a name can be a person's story, special and unique. Ai Lin's name, and all that it means and stands for, is as personal as a fingerprint, as distinct as a snowflake. In this empowering story, one child shows that by making the effort to properly pronounce someone's name, we send the welcoming message that everyone is worthy of respect and dignity.

STARRED REVIEW: "PreS-Gr 3–Ai Lin has to teach her classmates how to say her name properly. When she started school, the kids said American words and names instead of her name. She carefully explains the meaning of her name and how it fits into her culture. Ai Lin does a beautiful job with the explanations and the lovely, muted artwork shows her loving family and her joy at being a respected part of the school community. This is an excellent book for the beginning of the school year and will pair well with other books about names like Kevin Henkes’s Chrysanthemum or Jamilah Thompkins-Bigelow’s Your Name is a Song. With a very light touch, it offers discussion points on respect for others, cultural traditions, and the how and why parents choose names. The author’s notes about her own experiences with her name as well as the Chinese characters for the names in the book are a nice addition.

VERDICT This charming book about a girl navigating new situations belongs in every collection."
-School Library Journal

"An empowering celebration of identity." - Kirkus Reviews

Genres: Picture Books

32 pages, Hardcover

Published July 1, 2025

About the author

Maria Wen Adcock is the author of the children's books IT'S CHINESE NEW YEAR, CURIOUS GEORGE and MY NAME IS AI LIN (2025). Maria is a first-generation Chinese-American writer and founder of the award-winning multicultural parenting blog BiculturalMama.com. She has appeared on The Dr. Oz Show, Bloomberg News, Newsday, and Huffington Post. Maria is a board member of Multicultural Kid Blogs, an organization supporting diverse parenting bloggers, and co-host of the annual publishing event Read Your World Day. Maria resides on Long Island in New York.

Reviews

[Kelly Rice Schmitt · Rating 5 out of 5]

A powerful addition to the collection of name and self-love books. I feel the raw emotion as Ai Lin struggles to get other children to properly pronounce her name. Children will connect with Ai Lin and I hope this book can open the doors for empathy and kindness in them to learn to respect and honor each others specially chosen names. My mother in law is a Chinese immigrant, and this story rang true for our family in her own struggles growing up in a very Caucasian city with a Chinese name. Highly recommend for any collection for young readers!

[Susi Schaefer · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful book celebrating heritage and family connections. Names hold significant cultural meaning, and this story highlights that beauty, especially for shy children.

[Matthew · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed the heartwarming story interleaved with the very detailed illustrations. Ai Lin’s confidence and cultural pride were inspiring.

[Carolyn Wilhelm · Rating 5 out of 5]

heartwarming, important story

As a teacher of 28 years, I feel this story would have been wonderful to read to the class the first day of each school year, before introducing everyone! It is available for those teaching now, thank goodness. The story with the lovely illustrations explain why we should say each others’ names correctly.

[Kris Tarantino · Rating 5 out of 5]

MY NAME IS AL LIN is a sweet book about the significance behind a name. Ai Lin’s classmates have trouble saying her name correctly. She helps them by explaining how her name was chosen for its special meaning and also for how it sounds. Illustrator Yu Ting Cheng brings this multi-generational family alive with her beautiful illustrations. A wonderful addition to the back-to-school collection.

[Molly England · Rating 5 out of 5]

This latest book from Bicultural Mama is beautiful, heartfelt, and meaningful about a young girl who won’t settle for people mispronouncing her name. Buy your copy and read it with your children tonight! The message reminds us that everyone is deserving of respect, dignity, and the opportunity to be their most authentic selves. Visit biculturalmama.com for details! #Bicultural #author

[Candace Spizzirri · Rating 5 out of 5]

In MY NAME IS AI LIN by Maria Wen Adcock, a young girl starts school to discover that her classmates can’t pronounce her name. When they ask if they can just call her by something similar, Ai Lin boldly says ‘no’ and explains the importance of her name. She tells the other students that Ai means ‘love’ and Lin means ‘gem’. Her name is unique and ties her to her family and heritage. The illustrations by Yu Ting Cheng are bright, engaging, and lovely. A good lesson about the importance of a name and pronouncing it correctly. !00% recommended!

[Shachi · Rating 5 out of 5]

My Name Is Ai Lin is an empowering picture book that gently celebrates the beauty of names, cultural heritage, and self-identity. When young Ai Lin starts school and her classmates struggle to pronounce her name, she doesn’t give up. She helps them understand not just how to say her name, but why it matters. This story reminds us that names carry meaning, history, and love, and that every child deserves to be seen and heard as they truly are.

The illustrations are soft, expressive, and full of warmth. The color palette is rich, and the emotions on the characters’ faces shine through.

The back matter is especially thoughtful, offering insight into Chinese naming traditions and the author’s personal connection to the story

[Monisha Bajaj · Rating 5 out of 5]

My Name Is Ai Lin tells a powerful story about a girl whose classmates at her new school cannot say her name properly. They suggest she use a different, easier name—but Ai Lin gently explains why her name is important. It connects her to her family’s history, her culture, and the dreams her parents had when they chose it. It teachers the reader that learning to pronounce people’s names shows respect. Lovely message and well-done illustrations and story. Definitely recommend for elementary school classrooms.

[Nadia Fisher · Rating 5 out of 5]

MY NAME IS AI LIN is an important book that gently asserts the importance of respecting names and cultures. Ai Lin's classmates have a difficult time pronouncing her name, but she corrects them, and throughout the story Maria Wen Adcock shares what Ai Lin's name mean and the cultural significance behind it. The warm, beautiful illustrations by Yu Ting Cheng add an extra layer of sweetness to this wonderful book. Highly recommend!

[Anna Ouchchy · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this book, Ai Lin's classmates don't know how to pronounce her name and they want to call her something different. Ai Lin explains, loudly and proudly, the pronunciation, meaning and cultural significance of her name and her sister's name. A wonderful read-aloud for all children, especially those who may feel pressure to change their names for school.

[Nikoo · Rating 5 out of 5]

My Name is Ai Lin is a picture book about a young girl whose classmates have trouble pronouncing her name. They try to give her nicknames but Ai Lin advocates for herself by explaining the heritage and cultural significance of her name. This is an important and inspiring read for any young child who has ever felt ostracized because of their name and has struggled to figure out what to do.

[Michelle Chan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This gently affirming story made me smile and reminded me of the cultural significance behind my own Chinese name! I loved the soft, warm illustrations and the inclusion of sweet moments among Ai Lin and her loved ones that showcased the origins of her name. The back matter has adorably illustrated author's note explaining the origins of the author's own name!

[Deb Adamson · Rating 5 out of 5]

My Name is Ai Lin is an important and sweetly written book highlighting the importance of identity and heritage. It will open the door to discussions about what names mean and how we should make the effort to pronounce and learn the significance behind them. A great title for school libraries and all libraries!

[Charlotte Cheng · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a sweet story to help little ones learn more about the origin of names. As readers explore the meaning behind Ai Lin's name, they can learn why it's so important to practice empathy when learning how say other people's names! The back matter also explains how Chinese names are formed. Illustrations are warm, soft, and comforting. A great addition to any library!

[SeasonsOfKidLit · Rating 5 out of 5]

Five stars for My Name is Ai Lin. The book is a heartwarming read about understanding the meaning and beauty behind names, and the importance of pronouncing them correctly. Readers of all ages will enjoy the message and sweet story told by Maria Wen Adcock. This book is a great addition to every classroom and home library.

[Donna Lambo-Weidner · Rating 5 out of 5]

My Name is Ai Lin is an inspiring read that reveals the heritage attached to one’s name and the importance of its correct pronunciation. Ai Lin explains the careful thought that was given to choosing her name, and what it represents—a lovely gem. The warm, inviting illustrations support the teaching that will enrich the reader in many ways.

[Hà Dinh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ai Lin is a new student and her classmates are struggling to pronounce her name correctly. Instead of changing her name, Ai Lin proudly helps her friends to pronounce it correctly. This is such a sweet story on loving your name and being proud of it. The writing is easy to read and the illustrations are endearing and adorable!

[Janice Milusich · Rating 5 out of 5]

My Name is Ai Lin is a great addition to your classroom library. It's an important book to read at the beginning of the school year when classmates meet for the first time and are making new friendships.
Its story shares the importance of names and how each person's name deserves respect by being pronounced correctly.

[Teri Drobnick · Rating 5 out of 5]

As we so often mispronounce names we are unfamiliar with, this book points out the importance of names, culturally as well as on a personal level. It is a sweet story that is a good lesson for both children and adults.

[Amanda Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

A sweet story about honoring the story of our names. Interwoven with facts and back matter about Chinese culture, MY NAME IS AI LIN reminds us that we each have an important to story to tell and to celebrate all parts of our identities--our names included!

[S L · Rating 5 out of 5]

A sweetly illustrated story about the importance of names. I appreciated that the author explored the meanings of names and how they connected with relative's names as well - definitely echoes my own experiences as an Asian American kid.

[Moni Ritchie Hadley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Standing up for her name and its pronunciation, Ai Lin shares the meaningful story behind her Chinese name. A beautiful discussion starter for all kids to inquire and share the story behind their own names.

[Shannon Anderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a wonderful book that reminds readers that a name is a story, special and unique. When Ai Lin's name is not pronounced correctly, she shares why her name is important and part of her family and heritage. This message is delivered in a kind and helpful way.

[Della Ferreri · Rating 5 out of 5]

MY NAME IS AI LIN is a sweet and heartfelt story that underscores the importance of a person's name and the respect shown by learning to say it correctly. Perfect for back-to-school time as students are getting to know one another. Highly recommended!

[Teresa · Rating 5 out of 5]

A 5-star book for children to understand, learn about, and respect the names of others. This is a heartwarming and beautiful story with much depth that even young children will be able to understand.

[Amanda Hsiung-Blodgett · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love My Name Is Ai Lin! It has touched my heart with the author's words beautifully flowing on each page of the book and echoing the story she shared about her experience in the back of the book.

My Name Is Ai Lin celebrates cultural identity and the power of each individual's name. Ai Lin teaches her peers to pronounce her Chinese name correctly, sharing its deep meaning tied to family.

The warm illustrations complement the heartfelt storytelling. Each illustration encourages respect, empathy, and pride in one's name and heritage. This empowering and connecting book is perfect for young readers navigating new experiences in school and the community around them.

[Betsy Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

I like how this appealing book captures a real-life situation in a friendly way. My kids grew up in a city with people from all over the world, so the "How do I say your name?" question came up all the time! The art is lovely and the story is engaging.