Editorial Review
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....
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Customer Reviews
Chrysanthemum is great! 
2007-11-06
I love this story! It's a great story for children to talk about bullying and getting teased in school. My first graders love it!
Great read aloud 2007-10-30
I love reading this to my three year old daughter. "Chysanthemum, Chysanthemum, Chysanthemum..." It's a charming story with emphasis on the strong bond between parents and children.
A pretty sweet book on uniqueness 2007-10-18
As a teacher, I would always share this book with my new class on their first day of school. Its magic worked like a charm. I like to start off the year by letting kids know that their uniqueness is to be celebrated, not made fun of. Chrysanthemum is the perfect example. She enters school, wrapped in the love of her attentive parents, who have always told her that her unique name is perfect, just like her. Then come her fellow students, who, by the way, have simple names like Bill, Sue, Tom, and Eve. Of course, they all giggle at her peculiar name and one even points out that it scarcely fits on her name tag (don't laugh, that's a big thing for a kid). Every night, Chrysanthemum returns home to her parents who assure her that she is perfect and special, but she is beginning to doubt that. One night she even dreams that her name was Jane. It was (according to Chrysanthemum) an extremely pleasant dream (I love it!) The teasing continues until one day, the class is introduced to their new beloved music teacher, who is also named after a flower - Delphinium. Suddenly, everyone wants a long, unique name and Chrysanthemum gets her self-esteem back. There's a clever little epilogue that always makes my students smile. The illustrations are absolutely adorable, filled with cute little details. I highly recommend any of Kevin Henkes' books, especially this sweet tale!
A Big Name And A Special Message 2007-10-04
Chrysanthemum... Chrysanthemum.. Chrysanthemum... Who does not like the name Chrysanthemum? Well, the little mouse in the book loves her name. She loved the way it sounded when her mother said it. She loved the way it sounded when her father said. She even loved the way it was spelled.
That is, until the day that Chrysanthemum started school and her classmates started to tease her about her name. "It's too long.", one child chided. "You're named after a flower!", exclaimed another. "If I had a name like yours, I'd change it."
Sure enough, the continuous taunting made Chrysanthemum feel misreable. She went home and wished that she had a different name. Her parents tried to reassure her and tell her that her name was beautiful, perfect, priceless but that didn't help much until Chrysanthemum met her music teacher and discovered that Mrs. Twinkle's first name was just as spectacular as Chrysanthemum. The children stopped teasing Chrysanthemum after that and all wanted to change their names too (Marigold, Carnation, Lily of the Valley).
This story is effective in portraying the feelings that a child feels around others at times (insecurity, awkwardness, self-doubt) and wishes there is something they could change about themselves that they don't like. It also expresses the idea that even though we are all different, everyone is special in their own way.
a wonderful addition to any classroom 2007-09-25
This is a wonderful book, which is a great addition to all elementary school classrooms. It will help children learn how to embrace diversity and be proud of who they are.
Kevin Henkes is Great 2008-06-17
Do you what to buy a book you'll love to read? If you do, you should read Chrysanthemum By Kevin Henkes. Kevin Henkes is a good author. Chrysanthemum is a good children's book. If you are a mom you should read it to your child. They might love it like a favorite book. In the book Chrysanthemum loved her name until she went to school. The kids teased Chrysanthemum and said "you're named after a flower" and a girl named Victoria that was in her class teased her the most. Her parents said her name was perfect but Chrysanthemum did not think so. She had dreams that were nightmares like that Victoria was picking her like a flower. The main problem is she is picked on. I chose the book because it is interesting. The characters are classmates and Chrysanthemum and a music teacher and Chrysanthemum mom and dad. The book takes place at her mom and dads house and outside and school. I think the authors message is to not tease somebody (treat somebody the way you want to be treated.) If you want to find out if the problem's solved you should read the book.
also
Do you like mice? Then you will like Chrysanthemum. I chose to read this book because it was about mice. Chrysanthemum is a girl who was named after a flower and it came to the first day of school and everyone made fun of her because she was named after a flower. Everybody thought it was a funny name except for her parents and her teacher. Everybody said "That's a dumb name. Your names Chrysanthemum it barely fits your nametag" Every body there told chrysanthemum their names and they said their names were perfect. I'm not giving away the ending. You are going to have to read it. I will give you a hint though it turns out to be pretty good. I think that you should never make fun of someone about them. You're just making it worse and worse for you not the person who your making fun of. Its just an embarrassment. Kids through 1st and third grade should read this book because it teaches you a lesson.
Great book! 2008-06-09
I bought this book for my daughter who is an early childhood education major. She requested it after reviewing it in class. Great book!
Chrysanthemum 
2008-05-19
Chrysanthemum was the main character. She was sad because her classmates were teasing about her name. This happened at school. Chrysanthemum's friends were teasing her because her name wouldn't fit on
her name tag. I like this book for three reasons.
1. I am named after a flower as well as Chrysanthemum.
2. Also, I have been teased because I am named after a flower and it relates.
3. My last reason is because I like books that at first characters do not like each other but in the end they solve the problem. Chrysanthemum is a book for any age. By Lily
Great Book for Elementary Grades 2008-02-17
I am an elementary school teacher and this book is great to read to the kids within the first few weeks of school. It teaches them about the differences between people and how differences are ok. It is just the right length and repeats for easy reading. The video is also a great buy! Play it as a listening center for reading!
Great story....A MUST FOR A LOVING HOME. 2008-01-04
Great story for a child in elementary school or approaching. It touches on many levels the challenges of attending school for the first time. The author highlights Chrysanthemum and gives her depth. The school children that she meets also are made to be a challenge for Chrysanthemum.
The problem solving and the love of her parents touch on family values.
LOVE IT AND RECOMMEND.
