MY NAME IS LONG AS A RIVER

Kaveri Thanjavur Jayalakshmi Ganesan isn’t fond of her long name and prefers to go by Kav.

The young protagonist learns about the origins of her names while she, her parents, and her grandmother, whom she calls Paati, journey to celebrate Kaveri Pushkaram, a festival that honors the Kaveri River. Before they leave Paati’s home, the child notices green riverbanks and lush waterfalls. Paati tells her she was named for the river—and for her great-great-grandmother. Next, they buy train tickets for Thanjavur, their ancestral home in Tamil Nadu, India, and one of Kaveri’s namesakes. Paati reminds the child how on their last visit, she got her some bommai, or clay dolls. Kaveri’s mother notes that the child shares both her parents’ names. Both mother and daughter are named Jayalakshmi, after the goddess who protects the river. Finally, the name Ganesan comes from her father’s name, Ganesha. At the journey’s end, where the river meets the ocean, Kaveri finally realizes that her name embodies her birthplace and her heritage. Though earlier, Kaveri mentions that some people “trip over my name,” long names aren’t uncommon in India, suggesting that the child lives elsewhere. While Kaveri’s pride is evident by book’s end, readers don’t get much insight into her emotional state or thoughts; at times, the story feels like a list of cultural touchstones. Still, the artwork is vivid, with striking use of color and depictions of clothing, jewelry, foods, rituals, and distinctive temple architecture.

A heartfelt celebration of cultural heritage.