I Don't Wanna Be A Onomatopoeia

Meet Chong, a bright young student whose English is strong-but whose confidence has gone quiet.

At school, Chong learns that an onomatopoeia is a word whose sound is connected to its meaning. Soon, her teacher tells a playful tale about a remarkable child from the famously noisy Onomatopoeia family. In that house, every day is filled with sound: breakfast slurps and lunch smacks; supper toots, burps, and crunches. Brothers fizzle, sisters squeak, footsteps jingle, and runners zoom. At school, the chatter, murmurs, and hisses never seem to end.

For the family's quietest child, being surrounded by so much noise feels embarrassing and overwhelming. She has kept her thoughts inside for years, convinced that her unusual family makes her less than everyone else. But when she hears about the Grand Talent Show, she chooses to do something brave: step to the microphone and speak for the very first time.

With a shy smile and a rhythm all her own, she turns her frustration into a lively rap about Pop, Zip, Murmur, Clink, Buzz, Whiz-and why she does not want to be an Onomatopoeia. What begins as a nervous moment becomes a joyful declaration of courage, self-expression, and acceptance, ending in a well-earned standing ovation.

I Don't Wanna Be A Onomatopoeia is a funny, rhythmic picture book that makes language arts memorable through repeated sound words, rhyme, and a warmhearted story. Children will laugh at the silly sounds while discovering how onomatopoeia brings writing to life. Parents, teachers, and librarians will appreciate a read-aloud that opens conversations about finding your voice, embracing what makes your family unique, and speaking with confidence.

Written by retired elementary ESL teachers Brian and Heather Marchant and illustrated by Ya Lee, this full-color edition brings a beloved wordplay story to a new generation of readers. Ideal for home, classroom, and library collections, it is a spirited celebration of language, belonging, and the wonderful noise of being yourself.