My Name Is Ai Lin: Activities That Celebrate Identity

Every once in a while, a storybook comes along that feels like a warm hug—one that reminds us to celebrate who we are and where we come from. My Name Is Ai Lin, written by Maria Wen Adcock, the author behind the award-winning Bicultural Mama blog, is one of those beautiful books.

This empowering children’s story follows Ai Lin, a young girl who proudly shares the meaning of her Chinese name with classmates who initially struggle to pronounce it. It’s heartfelt, brave, vibrantly illustrated, and the perfect starting point for conversations about cultural identity, Asian American heritage, and the beauty and meaning of names.

As someone who creates hands-on Mandarin and identity-themed learning printables for kids, I felt immediately inspired when Maria reached out to collaborate. Her lifelong mission—promoting Chinese culture, language, and Asian American stories through Bicultural Mama—aligns closely with my own work at LingoBuddies. The moment I read Ai Lin’s story, I knew I wanted to design activities that help children feel proud of their names, their families, and the stories they carry.

Below, I’m sharing a collection of free and book-inspired printable activities that pair perfectly with My Name Is Ai Lin—ideal for classrooms, libraries, homeschool, bilingual families, author visits, and culture-themed lessons.

Why My Name Is Ai Lin Matters

This story gently highlights meaningful themes such as:

the importance of cultural pride

the power and meaning behind names

celebrating Asian American identity

confidence in sharing your heritage

learning kindness and understanding in the classroom

Ai Lin’s courage encourages little learners to embrace who they are and to speak proudly about where they come from—an affirming message for all children.

My Name Is Ai Lin — Printable Activities

These worksheets were thoughtfully designed to complement the storybook and spark identity-building conversations.

FREE My Name Is Ai Lin Coloring Page & Flashcards

Created exclusively for this book collaboration. Children can color Ai Lin and learn the character 愛 (ài, love), which is part of her name.

My Name Is Coloring Page

A simple, joyful activity to help children decorate and take pride in their own names.

About Me Portrait Wall

Kids illustrate their favorite things to create their own “portrait wall” that celebrates their individuality.

Who Lives In My House (Family Craft)

A cut-and-paste craft where kids draw the people who love them. Perfect for family-themed units or identity lessons.

❤️ Sight Character Maze: 愛 (Love)

A playful maze that teaches children to recognize the Chinese character for love—the “Ai” in Ai Lin.

My Lovely Classmates Worksheet

Kids draw their classmates and practice writing names, connecting beautifully with the book’s themes of friendship and understanding.

Hug Coloring Page

A warm, parent-and-child coloring sheet celebrating love and connection.

About Me Coloring Page

Children can draw or write their favorite food, book, music, and more—perfect for back-to-school or all-about-me lessons.

Why I Created These Printables

Stories like My Name Is Ai Lin feel especially close to my heart. As a mom raising a bilingual child, I know how important it is for kids to see themselves reflected in the books they read. These activities were designed to help children be proud of their names, celebrate their families, and connect with language through meaningful, hands-on play.

Working with Maria was an honor, and I hope these worksheets bring joy, confidence, and creativity to your little learners.

More Storybook Activities That Celebrate Heritage: Icy Fruits

If you enjoy culturally inspired activities, you may also love my printable set created for Icy Fruits by Charlotte Cheng—another beautifully illustrated story that celebrates family traditions and cultural heritage.

Explore Icy Fruits Storybook Activities