Amanda McDonald Sheff
circa 2015
It all started…
when I had my first child. Billy Mac ❤️. Billy Mac is a family name. Yes, he has a middle name…Maurice! Which is also a family name 🙂. His name means so much and he means so much to us. My late grandfather was William McDonald. Back in the day when William’s were Billy and Richard’s were Dick. Billy Mac loved us dearly and led a good life. You see, names have deep and personal meanings. Families go to great lengths sometimes to name their children. Names that will live on forever. So as new parents, we were quite surprised when so many struggled to say his full name. Some not even trying to get it right. And I thought to myself, this is how Samantha’s become Sam’s and Jonathan’s become Jon? Why?
I dont have the answer (yet :) but this secretly renaming of individuals led me to this children’s book idea. We love reading and reading to our children. We’ve had the privilege to live in many states and meet so many wonderful people and families. Families with unique children names like Leaf, Meadow, Tall and Sunshine. I could go on and on. Your Special Name encourages kids of all ages to embrace the history and excitement in their SPECIAL name and respect and connect with the potential meaning of others names. I hope you and your family really enjoy this book.
I would love to hear how you got your SPECIAL name. Please email me below and let’s chat! Check out the links below to find out more about me and my circus life!
Check out the Momma Spot Blog
Meet the Illustrator:
Vidya Vasudevan has been a children’s book illustrator for over 15 years, and enjoys bringing others’ ideas and visions to life through her illustrations. In her process, Vidya explores different styles and media that goes with each unique story. In her illustrations, she draws inspiration from the diverse cultures of countries where she grew up as well as the curiosity and wonder of preschoolers she works with. Vidya is a post-graduate in English literature and is happy to bring together her love for children, literature and art as she illustrates, writes and teaches.