Abdullah's Bear Needs a Name

This story celebrates the importance of cultural heritage and shared traditions. To celebrate Eid, Abdullah’s parents give him a cuddly teddy bear. His Pakistani/Muslim family background is shared by his extended family as they celebrate Eid by giving and receiving gifts. Abdullah immediately loves the bear, despite it being old and well-hugged. His abba (father) explains the bear was his as a child and, now that it belongs to Abdullah, he must guess the bear’s name. Roger, Humpty Dumpty, Hercules – Bertie? In his heart, Abdullah knows none of these names is right. After many attempts to find the name, Abdullah asks his abba to tell him. But abba insists he keeps trying. It is after a bedtime story, a favourite retelling of an old story from Pakistan, that Abdullah suddenly realises his bear with no name must have one that he has heard in all those bedtime stories and one name in particular appeals, ‘Nadeem’! ‘Perfect’ sighs Abbam ‘It was my dadaji’s (grandpa’s) name.’ The book is illustrated strongly throughout, capturing the closeness of the family as they celebrate. The book will be welcomed in all classrooms and libraries and the warmth within it will resound with all young readers.