How to Pronounce an Author’s Name
It has been awhile since I mentioned the place to go to learn how to pronounce an author’s name, on Teachingbooks.net – this
section of the page is free to visit and use, you do not need to sign up for it.
The website on June 4, 2010 noted it had 2,207 author names included and on July 25, 2019, it had 2,559 author names included, so they are continuing to add pronunciations. For each entry the author has been recorded pronouncing his or her name, and they usually have a comment or two as well, about their families or a funny occurrence at a conference.
You may wonder why some of the authors’ names are included – they may pronounce their name just like we think it is, or it may be a bit different. For example, I listened to Gail Carson Levine since I wondered if she pronounces it Le-veen or Le-vine. It is Le-veen.
Many authors or illustrators give the listener a rhyming word to help remember the pronunciation. I liked Ibi Zoboi’s recording, explaining that her students used to say “Ibi is a boy” (even though she isn’t). Warning: you can spend a lot of time on this website.
Mangoes, Mischief, and Tales of Friendship: Stories from India by Chitra Soundar contains two books from India of traditional folktales brought together in this volume encompassing a total of eight wisdom stories.
In them, Prince Veera and Suku, his best friend, occasionally step in for the King to listen to complaints and disagreements among their subjects. Some of the stories may be familiar to adults, but will intrigue those new to the logic used by the Prince. For example, one merchant charged a poor man for enjoying the aroma of his delicious baked goods. In another, a man sells his neighbor a well, but did not include the water.
Compassion and empathy are emphasized, and some humor is included as well. Stylized black-and-gray illustrations throughout add to the stories and there are only seven two-page spreads without any art. This title is designed for grades 3-6. (This will be on my Summer Reading Program list for 2020!)
(The Nebraska Library Commission receives free copies of children’s and young adult books for review from a number of publishers. After review, the books are distributed free, via the Regional Library Systems, to Nebraska school and public libraries.)
