Chrysanthemum
Author: Kevin Henkes
Illustrator: Kevin Henkes
Publisher: Greenwillow Books
Year of Publication: 1991
Genre: Fiction
Horn Book or Kirkus Review Rating: Horn Book (1) and Starred Kirkus Review
Illustrator: Kevin Henkes
Publisher: Greenwillow Books
Year of Publication: 1991
Genre: Fiction
Horn Book or Kirkus Review Rating: Horn Book (1) and Starred Kirkus Review
Summary: Chrysanthemum thought her name was absolutely perfect until she went to school where she was made fun of for being named after a flower.
Summary of Professional Reviews: Chrysanthemum (a mouse) starts out being told by her parents that her name is "absolutely perfect." However, she finds out very quickly that once she goes to school that not everyone agrees with her parents. She is teased and made a fool of because of her name. It is not until Miss Twinkle tells all of Chrysanthemum's friends that she is named after a flower, where her friends begging to accept her. CLCD says that Henkes "language is fresh and cozy." This story really celebrates happy families, and children will love this story.
Review by Katie Henderson: Chrysanthemum has always been told by her parents that her name is "absolutely perfect." Once Chrysanthemum enters school, she notices that all of her classmates have very short names, and when her classmates find out that Chrysanthemum's name cannot even fit on her name tag, she gets made fun of. She is teased for being named after a flower until she encounters her music teacher who is also named after a flower. This silences all of her classmates and makes all of them want to be named after a flower. This story is great for all children to see that it is not okay to be making fun of others for something that they cannot control. The illustrations are simple, but they get the point across. The reader can clearly see what is going on through the simply, tidy pictures. This is great for children who do not feel like they are included in everyday activities.
This book would be useful when teaching...children about different types of flowers. Chrysanthemums are not the only flowers mentioned in the story. Toward the end, Marigolds and Carnations are mentioned. This would also be a great story to read during a bullying unit. It can show children that bullying is not only physical, but mental as well. It can show that by just making fun of someone's name that you can ruin their entire day.
Summary of Professional Reviews: Chrysanthemum (a mouse) starts out being told by her parents that her name is "absolutely perfect." However, she finds out very quickly that once she goes to school that not everyone agrees with her parents. She is teased and made a fool of because of her name. It is not until Miss Twinkle tells all of Chrysanthemum's friends that she is named after a flower, where her friends begging to accept her. CLCD says that Henkes "language is fresh and cozy." This story really celebrates happy families, and children will love this story.
Review by Katie Henderson: Chrysanthemum has always been told by her parents that her name is "absolutely perfect." Once Chrysanthemum enters school, she notices that all of her classmates have very short names, and when her classmates find out that Chrysanthemum's name cannot even fit on her name tag, she gets made fun of. She is teased for being named after a flower until she encounters her music teacher who is also named after a flower. This silences all of her classmates and makes all of them want to be named after a flower. This story is great for all children to see that it is not okay to be making fun of others for something that they cannot control. The illustrations are simple, but they get the point across. The reader can clearly see what is going on through the simply, tidy pictures. This is great for children who do not feel like they are included in everyday activities.
This book would be useful when teaching...children about different types of flowers. Chrysanthemums are not the only flowers mentioned in the story. Toward the end, Marigolds and Carnations are mentioned. This would also be a great story to read during a bullying unit. It can show children that bullying is not only physical, but mental as well. It can show that by just making fun of someone's name that you can ruin their entire day.