What parent doesn’t want their child to think the sky’s the limit when he dreams of his future? And yet so many books for kids today don’t contain role models parents can get behind. But My Name is Not Isabella, and its companion book, My Name is Not Alexander, by Jennifer Fosberry with illustrations by Mike Litwin, are all about historical heroes who didn’t take “no” for an answer, and dreamed big.

My Name is Not Isabella, published in 2010, is about a little girl named Isabella, who wakes up transformed into Sally, the “greatest, toughest astronaut who ever was!” Throughout her day – and with her mother’s encouragement – her imagination transforms her into Annie the sharpshooter, Rosa the activist, Marie the scientist, Elizabeth the doctor, Mommy the greatest mother, and finally, back into herself dreaming of who she’ll be the next day.  The book is great entertainment for younger children, and older children will enjoy the appendix with more info on all the great women contained in the story – Sally Ride, Annie Oakley, Rosa Parks, Marie Curie and Elizabeth Blackwell – as well as explanations of what an astronaut, activist, and even a Mommy are. And if your child wants to dig in even deeper into women in history, the book contains a list of consulted works.

My Name Is Not Alexander, published this year, follows the same format as My Name Is Not Isabella, with vivid illustrations and dreams of great men like Theodore Roosevelt, Chief Joseph, Jackie Robinson, a Daddy, and more. We challenge you not to get teary as you read Fosberry’s descriptions of a Mommy and a Daddy, and think My Name is Not Alexander would make a great Father’s Day gift. After all, what Dad wouldn’t want to be reminded that he’s a hero in his child’s eyes?

And of course, if your child’s name is Isabella or Alexander – both of which rank high for baby names in Canada – they’ll get an even bigger kick out of these books.

Admittedly, you won’t find any Canadian heroes on the list, but if you’re feeling really motivated you could always research some of your faves and talk to your kids about them after reading the book. Clara Hughes and Michael J. Fox spring immediately to mind. Hmm, off to spend some time with Google …