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Chrysanthemum

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Chrysanthemum: A First Day of School Book for Kids Kindle Edition

by Kevin Henkes (Author, Illustrator) Format: Kindle Edition

4.9 2,553 ratings

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Chrysanthemum is a funny and honest school story about teasing, self-esteem, and acceptance to share all year round.

Written and illustrated by Kevin Henkes, the nationally bestselling and celebrated creator of Lilly's Purple Plastic Purse, Owen, and Kitten's First Full Moon, Chrysanthemum is a don't-miss classic, especially for back to school.

Chrysanthemum thinks her name is absolutely perfect—until her first day of school. "You're named after a flower!" teases Victoria. "Let's smell her," says Jo. Chrysanthemum wilts. What will it take to make her blossom again?

This popular picture book has sold more than a million copies and was named a Notable Book for Children by the American Library Association. "Perfectly executed in words and illustration, Chrysanthemum exemplifies Henkes's talent for creating true picture stories for young audiences."—The Horn Book

This is an ideal break-the-ice book for the first week of school. It get children thinking about and bonding with their own names and the names of everyone else in the class, and it's the perfect vehicle for starting a discussion about treating classmates with tolerance, kindness, and compassion.

Reading age

3 - 6 years
From customers
Length

32
Pages
Language

EN
English
Grade level

Preschool - 3
Lexile measure

570L
Publisher

Greenwillow Books
Publication date

2011
January 18
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ISBN-10

9780062066428
ISBN-13

978-0688147327
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From the Publisher

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Henkes's language and humor are impeccably fresh, his cozy illustrations sensitive and funny, his little asides to adults an unobtrusive delight." -- Kirkus Reviews (pointered review)"Chrysanthemum exemplifies Henkes's talent for creating true picture stories for young audiences.""-- The Horn Book "(starred review) --This text refers to an alternate kindle_edition edition.

From the Inside Flap

She was a perfect baby, and she had a perfect name. Chrysanthemum. When she was old enough to appreciate it, Chrysanthemum loved her name. And then she started school. I'm named after my grandmother, said Victoria. You're named after a flower. Chrysanthemum wilted. Life at school didn't improve. In fact, it got worse. Then the students were introduced to their music teacher, Mrs. Twinkle. Mrs. Delphinium Twinkle. And suddenly, Chrysanthemum blossomed....

--Kirkus Reviews (pointered review) --This text refers to an alternate kindle_edition edition.

Review

“Henkes’s language and humor are impeccably fresh, his cozy illustrations sensitive and funny, his little asides to adults an unobtrusive delight. . . . Another winner from this perceptive artist.” — Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

“This sensitive story will strike a chord with young children.” — School Library Journal (starred review)

“Perfectly executed in words and illustration, Chrysanthemum exemplifies Henkes’s talent for creating true picture stories for young audiences.” — The Horn Book (starred review)

“Nicely structured, wittily told, and universal in its appeal.” — Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books

--This text refers to the paperback edition.

About the Author

Kevin Henkes has been praised both as a writer and as an illustrator and is the recipient of the Children’s Literature Legacy Award for his lasting contribution to literature for children. He received the Caldecott Medal for Kitten’s First Full Moon; Caldecott Honors for Waiting and Owen; two Newbery Honors, one for Olive’s Ocean and one for The Year of Billy Miller;and Geisel Honors for Waiting and Penny and Her Marble. His other books include The World and Everything In It; A House; A Parade of Elephants; Chrysanthemum; and the beloved Lilly’s Purple Plastic Purse. Kevin Henkes lives with his family in Madison, Wisconsin.

--This text refers to the paperback edition.

Amazon.com Review

Until Chrysanthemum started kindergarten, she believed her parents when they said her name was perfect. But on the first day of school, Chrysanthemum begins to suspect that her name is far less than perfect, especially when her class dissolves into giggles upon hearing her name read aloud. That evening, Chrysanthemum's parents try to piece her self-esteem back together again with comfort food and a night filled "with hugs, kisses, and Parcheesi." But the next day Victoria, a particularly observant and mean-spirited classmate, announces that Chrysanthemum's name takes up 13 letters. "That's half the letters in the alphabet!" she adds. Chrysanthemum wilts. Pretty soon the girls are making playground threats to "pluck" Chrysanthemum and "smell her."

Kevin Henkes has great compassion for the victims of childhood teasing and cruelties--using fresh language, endearing pen-and-ink mouse characters, and realistic dialogue to portray real-life vulnerability. He also has great compassion for parents, offering several adult-humor jokes for anxious mommies and daddies. On the surface, the finale is overly tidy and the coincidences unbelievable. But in the end, what sustains Chrysanthemum, as well as this story, is the steadfast love and support of her family. And because of this, the closure is ultimately convincing and utterly comforting. ALA Notable Book, School Library Journal Best Book of the Year, Horn Book Fanfare Honor List. (Ages 4 to 8) --Gail Hudson

--This text refers to the hardcover edition.

From School Library Journal

PreSchool-Grade 2-- She was a perfect baby, and her doting parents chose a name to match, Chrysanthemum. She is proud of her musical name until kindergarten, when she finds herself in a world of strange new names such as Sue, Bill, Max, Sam, and Joe--in short ( really short) a world of ordinary monikers. That wouldn't be so bad if the others--like Victoria--hadn't made a mean-spirited game of tormenting her, sending her home in tears to be comforted with cuddles and Parcheesi. Wisely, Chrysanthemum's concerned and loving parents try not to interfere, but what can't be put right by them is dealt with by lucky chance. The class learns that their popular music teacher not only has a whopper of a name herself--Delphinium--but also plans to name her expected baby by the prettiest name she has heard, Chrysanthemum. The charming mouse with her delicate little face seems just right for her name. The range of expression and emotion Henkes conveys in his pen-and-ink and watercolor illustrations are "absolutely perfect." The impressionistic floral backdrops and patterning reinforce the story's lighthearted, yet tender theme. This sensitive story will strike a chord with young children, particularly those who also have difficult or unfamiliar names. --Joan McGrath, Education Centre Library, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the hardcover edition.

From Kirkus Reviews

With perfect trust in her doting parents, Chrysanthemum (a mouse) knows that her name is, as they tell her, ``absolutely perfect''--until she goes to school and is teased about it by her classmates, especially the imperious Victoria. Doubt sets in, to be allayed each night by ``hugs and kisses and Parcheesi,'' but then reintroduced next day. Fortunately, a charismatic music teacher whose name happens to be Delphinium makes flower names a new fad. The ending here is preposterously tidy, contributing to the humor of a warmhearted story that celebrates the security of a happy family while gently satirizing its members. Henkes's language and humor are impeccably fresh, his cozy illustrations sensitive and funny, his little asides to adults an unobtrusive delight. Another winner from this perceptive artist. (Picture book. 4-8) -- Copyright ©1991, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved. --This text refers to the hardcover edition.

From AudioFile

With talented readers, original musical and realistic sound effects, Weston Woods Studios elevates the read-along to a new height. This studio production of a celebrated and award-winning children's favorite, packaged with a hardcover book, will enchant listeners and create new audiences. An ALA Notable Book and SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL Best Book of the Year, CHRYSANTHEMUM is the tale of a mouse child who feels perfect in every way until she faces kindergarten ridicule for her unusual name. Meryl Streep's reading animates a story already brimming with the high emotions of childhood. A gruff-voiced father, the singing Mrs. Delphinium Twinkle, and the exasperating nasal teasing of classmates combine with Streep's perfect pacing and the lively orchestral music to create an enchanting experience in which the underling triumphs--every child's dream. T.B. (c) AudioFile, Portland, Maine --This text refers to the hardcover edition.

From the Back Cover

She was a perfect baby, and she had a perfect name. Chrysanthemum.

Chrysanthemum loved her name—until she started school.

A terrific read-aloud for the classroom and libraries!

--This text refers to the paperback edition.

Product details

ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0078XFWIM
Publisher ‏ : ‎ Greenwillow Books (January 18, 2011)
Publication date ‏ : ‎ January 18, 2011
Language ‏ : ‎ English
File size ‏ : ‎ 9021 KB
Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Not enabled
Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Enabled
Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
Sticky notes ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
Print length ‏ : ‎ 32 pages

Best Sellers Rank: #388,770 in Kindle Store (See Top 100 in Kindle Store)
- #123 in Children's Mice & Small Animal Stories
- #897 in Children's Mammal Books (Books)
- #1,492 in Children's Books on Friendship

Customer Reviews:
4.9 2,553 ratings

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About the author

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Kevin Henkes

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Kevin Henkes is the author and illustrator of close to fifty critically acclaimed and award-winning picture books, beginning readers, and novels. He received the Caldecott Medal for Kitten’s First Full Moon in 2005. Kevin Henkes is also the creator of a number of picture books featuring his mouse characters, including the #1 New York Times bestsellers Lilly’s Big Day and Wemberly Worried, the Caldecott Honor Book Owen, and the beloved Lilly’s Purple Plastic Purse. His most recent mouse character, Penny, was introduced in Penny and Her Song (2012); her story continued in Penny and Her Doll and Penny and Her Marble (a Geisel Honor Book). Bruce Handy, in a New York Times Book Review piece about A Good Day, wrote, “It should be said: Kevin Henkes is a genius.” Kevin Henkes received two Newbery Honors for novels—one for his newest novel for young readers, The Year of Billy Miller, and the other for Olive’s Ocean. Also among his fiction for older readers are the novels Junonia, Bird Lake Moon, The Birthday Room, and Sun & Spoon. He lives with his family in Madison, Wisconsin. You can visit him online at www.kevinhenkes.com.

Customer reviews

4.9 out of 5

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Lauren B.

One of my favorites

Reviewed in the United States on October 13, 2023

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I absolutely adore this story! We do an activity in second grade where kids learn how unkind words hurt your heart. We crinkle our paper heart whenever chrysanthemum is hurt by her classmates words. We learn how those wrinkles never really go away. This is such a cute story for any instance, but my second graders and myself absolutely love it!

3 people found this helpful

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Courtney Rainwater

Perfect

Reviewed in the United States on October 4, 2023

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I love how this book teaches acceptance

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Na. Berens

Kevin is my favorite children's book author!

Reviewed in the United States on September 26, 2023

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I'm giving these and others of Kevin's books as baby gifts! Especially this one! 💕💞💕

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koreamuscle

For children with big names

Reviewed in the United States on July 3, 2023

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We purchased this book for our daughter who has a long first name and so do I!! . We loved the story line. If you have a long first name, as most of our family members do, this story will enchant you. Chrysanthemum discovers she is alone in a classroom filled with other mice who all have short names. She is mistreated by other 'students for her name, then, the highlight of the book is revealed, which flips the story in Chrysanthemum's favor. A must read. Delightful and warm hearted.

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Sarah

This was my childhood, and I love it

Reviewed in the United States on July 7, 2023

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I got this for my kids, I read it as a girl and it spoke world’s to me about loving who you are no matter what, an absolute sweet story, something I love to read.
Came in perfect condition and not folded.

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Theresa Casper

Great heartfelt stories

Reviewed in the United States on July 19, 2023

Verified Purchase

These books are wonderful when teaching about acceptance and empathy. I love reading them to my 2nd graders during the first couple of weeks.

One person found this helpful

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Helaman N

Favorite children's book

Reviewed in the United States on August 14, 2023

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Great book about loving yourself.

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Mag

Passing this on to my little girl

Reviewed in the United States on July 9, 2021

Verified Purchase

I *loved* this book as a little girl. How I wished my name was Chrysanthemum! I bought this for my 3 year old, she is advanced for her age and gets really engaged with the longer stories. This books keeps her attention span the entire time. I loved the illustrations as a child, and now so does my child. The only the I would say is that at 3 years old, she was a little afraid of the illustration where Chrysanthemum has a nightmare. But that has nothing to do with the story itself and everything to do with her age. I didn’t find the message of the story out of date 25 years later. It opens up a conversation about bullying and why some kids may bully - fear of the unknown or something that is unique or different. It also gave an example of how to ally for someone else who is being bullied (in this case the music teacher was an ally for Chrysanthemum and made her feel not alone). There are so many different aspects to bullying to be learned and I don’t know it’s reasonable for one storybook to cover them all.

10 people found this helpful

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Cindy B

Always a hit

Reviewed in Canada on November 1, 2023

Verified Purchase

I often read this to my class so finally got my own copy. Great story about our unique and special names. Perfect beginning of the year book. Good read aloud for 4-7 year olds.

Amazon Customer

Well written and clever

Reviewed in Canada on April 4, 2023

Verified Purchase

My kids named our kitten Chrysanthemum after the mouse in this book.

Megan Maria

great story

Reviewed in Canada on September 16, 2021

Verified Purchase

students favorite boon

Melissa Poehlke

some damage

Reviewed in Canada on November 14, 2020

Verified Purchase

The book came slightly damaged.

Michelle McClymont

I love this book

Reviewed in Canada on February 4, 2016

Verified Purchase

I love this book. I bought it years ago when my daughter was little. I bought this one for her student teaching practicum.

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