Chrysanthemum (1991)

by Kevin Henkes

Series: Henkes' Mouse Books (5)

Members	Reviews	Popularity	Average rating	Mentions
9,560	381	885	(4.37)	19
Chrysanthemum loves her name, until she starts going to school and the other children make fun of it.

▾Book information

Member:	SchillingMR
Title:	Chrysanthemum
Authors:	Kevin Henkes
Info:
Collections:	Your library
Rating:
Tags:	kindness, name calling, proud of who you are

Work Information

Chrysanthemum by Kevin Henkes (1991)

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sweetiegherkin: Both books about children who are initially unhappy about their given name.

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▾Member reviews

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Showing 1-5 of 379 (next | show all)

I abslutley adored this book when I was young and still do. This book follows young chrysanthemum as she starts school and goes through bullying when kids laugh at her long and unique name. Throughout the story chrysanthemum learns to love her name again and their teacher helps them understand names and how they make us unique not weird. I would reccomend this book for kids ages 4-6 as they are beginning school. I would use this to teach kids about what makes them unique and special and the importance of being kind to one another. (

)

leelaolson | Dec 12, 2024 |

The book was chosen as an ALA Notable Book and the School Library Journal Best Book of the Year, and it is on the Horn Book Fanfare Honor List.
Ages 3-9, Preschool-3rd grade

melbarber | Dec 5, 2024 |

Independent reading: K-3
awards: ALA Notable Children's Book
Horn Book Fanfare
NCTE Notable Children's Trade Book in the Language Arts
California Young Reader Medal
Colorado Children's Book Award
Council of Wisconsin Writers Children's Book Award (

)

MeaganRhone | Nov 30, 2024 |

I would have loved it had I read it when less experienced.... But I am so tired now of the Mean Girls trope. (

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Cheryl_in_CC_NV | Oct 18, 2024 |

This book was good, but I found that it would be very challenging for students of a young age to read. (

)

leiladavis | Oct 17, 2024 |

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▾Other authors

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Author name	Role	Type of author	Work?	Status
Kevin Henkes	—	primary author	all editions	calculated
Streep, Meryl	Narrator	secondary author	some editions	confirmed

▾Series and work relationships

Belongs to Series

Henkes' Mouse Books (5)

Is contained in

Lilly's Big Day and Other Stories by Kevin Henkes

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Related movies

Chrysanthemum (1999 | IMDb)

Epigraph

Dedication

First words

The day she was born was the happiest day in her parents' lives.

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(Click to show. Warning: May contain spoilers.)

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Chrysanthemum (book)

▾Book descriptions

Chrysanthemum loves her name, until she starts going to school and the other children make fun of it.

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▾LibraryThing members' description

Book description

My favorite of all the MANY Kevin Henkes books I've read recently, Chrysanthemum is the story of a little girl mouse who believes that her name is perfect... until some nasty girls at school tell her differently. Henkes resolves the story beautifully -- with a teacher who also has a long flower name -- and is sensitive throughout to the hurt that Chrysanthemum feels. Henkes' child protagonists are always supported and always found to be in the right, and the resolution always comes in a way that isn't mean-spirited.

A wonderful, comforting book for young children, with enough clever asides in the illustrations to keep parents engaged as well.

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