Abdullah's Bear Needs a Name is a picture book with an absolutely enchanting, nostalgic art style. It has a great message of embracing and celebrating your culture and is a wonderful way to help kids learn about Pakastani Muslims. It would be fun to have kids suggest potential names for the bear in a classroom setting. My three year old really enjoyed the book and said "I like the kids. I like the daddy."

During a joyful Eid celebration, Abdullah receives a very special gift from his father: Abba's very own teddy bear from when he was a child! When Abdullah asks the bear's name, Abba challenges him to discover it for himself. Abdullah spends the rest of the book testing out names for his treasured bear, ultimately deciding that the perfect name for his bear is one that is already close to his family's heart. This sweet, affirming picture book gently encourages readers to be proud of their culture, heritage, and names. Benmouyal's brightly colored illustrations, rendered in acrylic, ink, and pencil, as well as digitally, bring Abdullah's family, friends, and community to cheerful life.

This book brought a smile to my face. This is the perfect book to talk about families and traditions. This book also shows culture and cultural differences and difficulties.

A sweet story about a family who has immigrated from Pakistan and the way they keep their cultural heritage alive through the gift of a teddy bear and its name. Very sweet illustrations.

**Thank you to NetGalley and Publisher Spotlight | Floris Books for this ARC in exchange for an honest review**

During Eid, Abdullah is gifted his father's childhood stuffed bear. He immediately asks what the bear's name is, but is told he will need to discover this for himself. He and the bear become inseparable, and everyone around him becomes involved in solving the mystery. Problem is, all the names suggested are very...white. It is only after his father tells him a story and he looks over at a family photo that he realizes what name feels right.

I love the author's inspiration behind this story, celebrating culture and encouraging more diverse representation in literature. It is so important that children grow up with books they can see themselves in. Thank you to Yasmin, Sophie, and all the other childrens authors and illustrators that continue to create and share their work to make this possible.