The Name Game
Stuck indoors, a child makes friends with a magpie, a tree, a butterfly and a cat by giving each a new name, in a short audiobook by Elizabeth Laird.
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What is The Name Game about?
The Name Game is an audiobook for children about a child stuck indoors with nothing to do, who makes friends with the world outside the window by giving everyone a new name.
It is so boring at home. Then there is a tap at the window. It is a magpie, a cheeky chap and, if he is honest, a jewel thief, who asks the child to surprise him with a name. His feathers are black and white and sparkle in the sun, so he becomes the Diamond Dodger. The tall tree outside is grand and a little grumpy, and says that trees do not have names, but she is happy to become the Emerald Queen. A butterfly with wings as red as the heart of a fire becomes the Ruby King, and a proud cat with sky-blue eyes, whose humans call her Fluffykins, becomes the Sapphire Princess.
By the end the child is still indoors but not bored at all, watching these new friends outside and warning the Ruby King to keep away from the Sapphire Princess's paws. A bee, a spider, a rosebush, a puppy, a squirrel and a little brown bird are still waiting for names of their own.
The playful story invites children to look closely at the colours and characters around them, and to make up names of their own. It is written by Elizabeth Laird and illustrated by Olivia Holden, and it is about 4 minutes long and music-free.
What your child will learn
- Even a boring day can be full of wonder if we look closely at the world around us.
- Using our imagination can turn a dull time into a happy one.
- Noticing what makes each creature special helps us make friends with the world around us.
Talk about it afterwards
- What names did the child give the magpie, the tree, the butterfly and the cat?
- What name would you give the little brown bird?
- What can you see from your window, and what makes it special?
- Allah made every creature different. What colours and shapes can you spot outside today?
Frequently asked questions
What is The Name Game about?
A child who is stuck indoors and bored gives new names to a magpie, a tree, a butterfly and a cat outside the window, and finds the day is not boring after all.
How long is The Name Game?
About 4 minutes.
Does The Name Game have music?
No. It is music-free.
