My Name Is Saajin Singh

If you are raising a Sikh child in the diaspora, this situation will sound familiar: your child walks into school on the first day, the teacher reads their name from a list, and what comes out is something unrecognisable. My Name Is Saajin Singh by Kuljinder Kaur Brar, illustrated by Samrath Kaur, takes that exact moment — one that so many of our children experience — and turns it into a story that is warm, honest, and quietly powerful.

A Name Worth Loving

Saajin loves his name. He sees it everywhere — in his snacks, in the sky — and sometimes he sings it out loud. The book opens with this joy, and it matters. Before the conflict arrives, the reader understands that this name is not just a label. It is something Saajin carries with pride, something his family gave him with meaning.

Then school begins. The teacher reads his name wrong — "Say-jin" — and the other children follow. Just like that, the name Saajin loves becomes something he feels embarrassed about. He starts to wonder whether this mispronounced version is simply who he will be outside his home.

This is where the book earns its place on the shelf. It does not rush to a resolution. It sits with the discomfort. For any child who has heard their name mangled and stayed quiet, that honesty matters.

Everyone Makes Mistakes — Even Adults

One of the most valuable things this book does is show that the teacher's mistake is not malicious — it is just a mistake. Adults get things wrong too. For young children, who often see teachers as infallible, this is an important realisation: someone can be kind and well-meaning and still get your name wrong. And you are allowed to correct them.

Through conversations with his family, Saajin finds the courage to reclaim his name. The resolution is gentle and age-appropriate — no dramatic confrontation, just a child learning that speaking up for yourself is not rude. It is necessary.

Beautiful Illustrations

Samrath Kaur's illustrations deserve particular praise. They are vibrant, expressive, and culturally authentic. Saajin's world feels alive — from his home to his classroom — and the artwork captures both his joy and his discomfort with real emotional range. Young readers will be drawn into the pages before they even follow the words.

A Story Diaspora Families Need

Name mispronunciation is not a small thing. For Sikh children growing up outside Punjab, their name is often the first piece of their identity that the outside world encounters — and the first thing that gets distorted. This book gives children language and confidence for a situation they will almost certainly face. It prepares them not with anger, but with understanding: your name matters, its pronunciation matters, and you have the right to be called what you are called.

My daughter loved this book. She connected with Saajin immediately, and the story opened a conversation about her own experiences. That is exactly what a good picture book should do.

Discussion Opportunities

This book opens up meaningful conversations about:

• Why our names matter and the meaning behind them
• What to do when someone mispronounces your name
• How even adults and teachers can make mistakes
• Speaking up for yourself respectfully
• Being proud of your identity at school

Final Thoughts

My Name Is Saajin Singh is a debut picture book by Kuljinder Kaur Brar, an elementary school teacher from Abbotsford, British Columbia — and the fact that it comes from someone who understands classrooms from the inside shows. The story is truthful without being heavy, and empowering without being preachy.

It has rightly earned recognition, including a spot on the Ontario Library Association's Best Bets List and a starred selection from the Canadian Children's Book Center.

For Sikh families in the diaspora, this is close to essential reading. For non-Sikh families and educators, it is an excellent window into why names matter — and how easy it is to get them right when you care enough to try.

Highly recommended for: Sikh families, classroom libraries, discussions about identity and self-advocacy, and any parent preparing a child for their first days at school.

Related Resources

• The Many Colors of Harpreet Singh — A picture book about a Sikh boy who expresses himself through the colors of his patka
• Ajooni the Kaurageous — A story about a brave Sikh girl who learns what true courage means
• Why Sikhi Matters More Than Ever — Connecting children with Sikh values in the diaspora