Chichi and Didi Love Their Names

Chichi and Didi Love Their Names is based on Nigerian American sisters Peace Amadi’s and Ndidi Amadi’s lives. It relates a story common to newcomer, refugee, and immigrant children as they assimilate into unfamiliar communities.

Chichi and Didi are looking forward to attending their first day at a new school in a new country. Chichi is going to second grade and Didi will be attending kindergarten.

When Chichi’s teacher takes roll call, she stumbles over the pronunciation of Chichi’s full name, Chinyere. Chichi says that everyone can call her Chichi. She is crushed when her classmates laugh at her name, saying it is not a name.

At supper that night, Daddy says it’s time to share about their first day at school. Didi relates her positive experience, but Chichi begins to cry when it’s her turn to share. After she explains why she’s sad, Mama comforts her, and Daddy says, “Chichi, did you know that names are very important? … In our culture, we believe names tell a story about who you are and who you will become. Names carry hope and purpose for the future. Your name means God’s gift. You are a gift to us, and your Mama and I believe you will be a gift to the world.”

With her newfound perspective, Chichi’s confidence is restored. The next day when roll call is taken, Chichi says, “My name is Chinyere. Cheen-Yeh-Reh. In my Nigerian language, my name means ‘God’s gift.’ But you can call me Chichi.”

Illustrator Hayley Blackwood’s sensitive artwork and the authors’ touching story capture the contrasting emotions---joy and sadness, acceptance and rejection, and belonging and isolation---of a child who loves her name and is finding her way in a new land.

Sadly, often in the past, many newcomer children have been unjustly forced to change their names. Hopefully, sensitivity toward newcomer children will put an end to this practice and, instead, the names given to them at birth by parents and guardians who loved and cared for them will be a reason to celebrate God’s grand diversity of cultures and naming practices.

(WaterBrook)