Picking the Right Name For Your Child

by Ken Lund
Picking the Right Name For Your Child
Article by Caitlina Fuller




It seems like such a simple thing to do. Naming someone does not look hard from the start, but people agonize over Italian baby names and Spanish names and biblical names until their brains completely shut down and they go to sleep. They get up the next day just to do the same thing. This usually lasts for about the duration of the pregnancy and it can drive a couple crazy. What usually ends of happening is that the two people cannot agree and they will actually get into multiple fights about what to name their little boy or girl.It's actually one of the hardest decisions to make and if you haven't had a child before, be prepared to rack your brain for hours upon hours about the perfect name for the kid that's going to change the world. It can't be something like Bob or David or Sarah or Kim because those are too ordinary to even be considered. It has to be something special, but not too special so they won't be made fun of in school. And the process is the same all around the world. If you are looking for African baby names or names in China, it will always take a long time to agree on something suitable and special enough for your little bundle of joy.But whatever you do, it never pays off to copy celebrity baby names. Our culture has become a little too driven by the rich and famous around us. Even though some of these people are doing some amazing things to help the world, many of them are talentless beautiful people who do not deserve the things they get. It isn't surprising that people chase them around to get pictures of them because even those will get you enough money to support yourself. So my advice to you is to start thinking about a name for your baby when you start trying to get pregnant. That way, you will not be arguing about it when you are eight months into it and not in the mood. It will save a lot of stress this way and your partner won't fight with you as much. But there is always the chance that you will suddenly change your mind for no reason. That is when you simply give up and name the boy after your grandfather and the girl after your mother.
About the Author
Caitlina is a freelance writer.



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Summer 2010 "Hot Picks" Reading List

Image by University of Maryland Press Releases
PLAY IT!! READ IT!!! BOOKS ABOUT SPORTS!

By Associate Professor Jennifer Turner
The Reading Center
Department of Curriculum and Instruction
College of Education

COLLEGE PARK, Md. - Summertime is the right time for getting out and playing sports. Whether it's playing a quick pick-up game in the neighborhood, joining a league, or attending a sports camp, being active and staying healthy is a good way for kids to spend the summer.

But what parents may not know is that summer sports can be a great way to connect their children to reading. There are lots of wonderful books with a sports theme. Some books have characters who are involved in the sports (fiction), while other books give information about playing sports or about the lives and careers of sports superstars (nonfiction). Either way, these sports-themed books can make reading fun for kids. So this summer, remember to help your kids to PLAY HARD and READ WELL!!

BASEBALL

The Berenstain Bears Go Out for the Team. (1987). Stan and Jan Berenstain. Random House Books for Young Readers.

This beloved series has a book that deals with nearly every issue that a child can experience! In this book, Brother and Sister Bear want to try out for the Bear Country Cub League because they get to play on a real field and wear uniforms, but they realize that they also will feel pressure to win. A great book for young children who are thinking about joining a team.

H is for Home Run: A Baseball Alphabet. (2009). Brad Herzog. Sleeping Bear Press.

In this series, Herzog provides interesting facts and information about baseball according to each letter of the alphabet. Although these are alphabet books, they are not only for younger children. Older children who can independently read this book will enjoy the fun facts and the beautiful illustrations. Note: this series also includes basketball, football, and soccer.

Miracle at the Plate (Matt Christopher Sports Classic). (1989). Matthew Christopher. Little, Brown Books for Young Readers.

Written by Matt Christopher, this book is fun and easy-to-read. It focuses on a character named Skeeter Miracle, who has the best hitting average in the league, but is scared to field a ball. Baseball terminology, and great scenes from the game, are included in this book, so that readers who are new to the game can get a sense of how to play and what to expect.

We are the Ship: The story of Negro League Baseball. (2008). Kadir Nelson. Jump at the Sun Publishers.

This book, written by award-winning illustrator Kadir Nelson, brings to life the pride and history of the Negro League. Nelson captures the racism and prejudice that the Negro League players encountered, but also conveys the players' love for the game of baseball. Although this is a picturebook, older children will find it inspiring as well. You can buy the audiobook or MP3 audio version for a powerful narration by Dion Graham.


BASKETBALL

On the Court With&LeBron James. (2008). Matt Christopher.Little, Brown Books for Young Readers.

Matt Christopher is a well-known author who has written countless biographies of beloved sports superstars. In this book, he writes about the life and game of LeBron James, who is arguably the best player in the NBA today.

Salt in his Shoes: Michael Jordan in Pursuit of a Dream. (2003). Deloris Jordan and Roslyn Jordan. Simon and Schuster Children's Publishing.

Written by Michael Jordan's mother and sister, this fictional book tells the tale of Michael Jordan, who, as a young boy, longed to be taller. The story is funny and heartwarming and remains one of my boys' favorites, and now there are several others books in this series!

Slam. (2008). Walter Dean Myers. Scholastic Paperbacks.

Set in New York City, this gripping novel features Slam, a basketball sensation, who just transferred to a magnet high school, and is having problems fitting in with his new classmates, his team while staying connected with his old friends in Harlem. The novel is for high school readers.


DANCE

Brianna, Jamaica, and the Dance of the Spring. (2009). Juanita Havill. Sandpiper Publishing.

This book is part of a series with the main character as an African American girl named Jamaica. In this story, the focus is on Brianna, Jamaica's Asian American friend. Both girls are set to dance in a ballet recital and Brianna is jealous of her older sister, who gets the part of Butterfly Queen and the best costume. But when illness strikes, not once, but twice, Jamaica discovers that the recital most go on.

Dancing in the Wings. (2003). Debbie Allen. Puffin Books.

In this book written by acclaimed dancer Debbie Allen, a young ballerina named Sassy is frustrated by her body because her feet are too big and her legs are too long. But she discovers that her differences make her unique, and most importantly, help her to be a better dancer.

Put Your Best Foot Forward: A Young Dancer's Guide to Life. (2005). Suki Schorer and the School of American Ballet. Workman Publishing Company.

This book was written by Suki Schorer, who joined the New York City Ballet and became a principal dancer in the late 1960s. Through inspiring photos of young dancers, this book gives wisdom and advice for girls who are passionate about ballet dancing. It reminds them to never give up and to hold fast to their dreams.


FOOTBALL

Kickoff. (2005). Tiki and Ronde Barber. Simon and Schuster/Paula Wiseman Books

For children reading chapter books, this fictional book featuring NFL superstars Tiki and Ronde Barber as football playing brothers is sure to please!! Tiki and Ronde have written several other fictional football chapter books as well as picture books for this series.

My Football Book. (2000). Gail Gibbons. HarperCollins Publishing.

This book provides good information about football, including the equipment needed, the field, and a few rules. I have read this book to my 7-year old son, Elijah, so that he knows what to expect when he plays on his football team this fall.

Peyton Manning (Amazing Athletes). (2007). Jeff Savage. First Avenue Editions; Revised Edition.

This book is part of the Amazing Athletes series, which spans other sports like Swimming (Michael Phelps), Basketball (LeBron James) and Skateboarding (Tony Hawk). Using photographs, the books describe the superstar athlete's life and professional accomplishments.


SOCCER

David Beckham (Sports Heroes and Legends). (2007). Ken Pendleton. Lerner Publishing Group.

In Ken Pendleton's series, Sports Heroes and Legends, the personal lives and professional accomplishments of soccer megastars like David Beckham are explored.

Kids' Book of Soccer: Skills, Strategies, and the Rules of the Game. (2000). Brooks Clark. Citadel Publishing.

This easy-to-use reference book will provide your children with everything they need to know about playing soccer, including a brief history of the sport, equipment, rules of the game, and a few strategies for increasing your skill level.

Soccer Cats (series). (2001). Matt Christopher. Little, Brown books for Young Readers.

The first book in a series about kids who play soccer and have all kinds of adventures! Since these books are chapter books, they are best for independent readers in grade 2 and up. Also, take a look at Matt's other series for older readers, Soccer Heroes!!!

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