“As a proud Nigerian, whose full name is Yvonne Anwuli Adaeze Orji, which means ‘archer of happiness, daughter of a king, strong oak,’ I love the messaging of this book! It promotes acceptance among children as well as pride and love for one’s heritage and culture.”—Yvonne Orji, actress, comedian, and author
“I’m a parent of children with both English and Nigerian names, and this book encourages kids to embrace their culture with both dignity and joy. It’s also a valuable resource for parents from all backgrounds to help their children celebrate their uniqueness and honor the differences in others. This story spreads love, nurtures cultural confidence, and plants seeds of community that will grow with them into adulthood. More than just a book, Chichi and Didi Love Their Names is a meaningful investment in the heart of a child.”—Stephanie Ike Okafor, bestselling author of The Power of Your Dreams
“This book is a beautiful celebration of family-love and self-love. It’s a story that resonates at any age because learning to embrace the parts of ourselves the world hasn’t always clapped for is a lifelong journey. The characters are grounded, the storytelling is full of heart, and every page is a joy. I’m so glad this book exists to help children everywhere feel seen, affirmed, and proud of who they are.”—Stacy Ike, journalist, media entrepreneur, and host of the human2human podcast
“This book is both unique to the Nigerian American experience and familiar to anyone who has had to navigate having a non-English name and growing up in a community that is different than their family’s country of origin. It speaks to the fear and uncomfortableness of being different but also embraces the value of being proud of one’s culture. It is a must-have for every child’s bookshelf!”—Junior Ezeonu, city council deputy mayor pro tem of Grand Prairie, Texas