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Chrysanthemum (Paperback)
by Kevin Henkes
| Category:
Story, Ages 4-8, Children's books |
| Market price: ¥ 98.00
MSL price:
¥ 88.00
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| Stock:
In Stock |
MSL rating:
 Good for Gifts |
| MSL Pointer Review:
A heart-warming story tells a great story about appreciating our differences as individuals. |
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Author: Kevin Henkes
Publisher: HarperTrophy
Pub. in: September, 1996
ISBN: 0688147321
Pages: 32
Measurements: 9.8 x 7.7 x 0.1 inches
Origin of product: USA
Order code: BC00203
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- MSL Picks -
Kevin Henkes' Chrysanthemum is about a young mouse who is made fun of because of her name. She overcomes her hatred towards her name and is treated kindly by the other mice because of a teacher who tells them of how beautiful her name is. Henkes does a good job of relating Chrysanthemum's experience to real-life experiences for most young children who are different somehow. In addition, Henkes allows children to identify with Chrysanthemum's situation and therefore, the audience becomes more interested in the book. For example, a child who has a learning disability may have a different learning strategy and can compare to Chrysanthemum situation. He also teaches that it is alright to be different and that difference can be very good. He also does a good job of incorporating education and parental support in the book. Henkes message through this book can be considered credible because of the multiple children's books he has had published. Although the illustrations in this book are very simple, they are effective in allowing the audience to understand the plot line. The illustrations are also very colorful and attractive to the audience. Henkes not only provides interesting reading material for young children, but also makes children feel better about what they may think is different about themselves.
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.
Target readers:
Kids aged 4-8
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Kevin Henkes was awarded the 2005 Caldecott Medal for Kitten's First Full Moon. He is the creator of several picture books featuring his mouse characters, including the #1 New York Times Bestseller Wemberly Worried, the Caldecott Honor Book Owen, and the beloved Lilly's Purple Plastic Purse. Mr. Henkes also writes for older children. His novels include the Newbery Honor Book Olive's Ocean, The Birthday Room, and Sun & Spoon. Kevin Henkes lives with his family in Madison, Wisconsin.
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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. And suddenly, Chrysanthemum blossomed....
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| View all 9 comments |
E. R. Bird (MSL quote), USA
<2006-12-26 00:00>
If you were to single out the one picture book author that most successfully puts their finger on the pulse of children's hopes and fears, the award for Greatest Long-Distance Therapist would go to none other than Kevin Henkes. I am a huge fan of "Lily's Purple Plastic Purse" and I found a great deal of enjoyment in "Owen" (though I feel it's not his strongest work).
Even "Wemberly Worried" covers a lot of ground by directly confronting the fears of worrywarts everywhere. With "Chrysanthemum", Henkes discusses originality and how being different (even if you're different in name alone) can single you out in both good and bad ways. As a Henkes fan, I consider this book to be amongst his strongest. Chrysanthemum feels that her name is absolutely perfect. She likes how it looks and she likes how it sounds and she likes that it is her name alone. Everything's going great until Chrysanthemum starts school. Suddenly everyone's making fun of her name. She has a class full of Sams and Eves and Victorias. There doesn't seem to be a place for a girl with as wildly original a name as Chrysanthemum. One student in particular, Victoria, makes it her goal to continually ridicule poor little Chrysanthemum day in and day out. Talking about it with her parents helps a little, but the next day the same thing occurs. It seems that Chrysanthemum is doomed to be unhappy until she meets the music teacher Mrs. Twinkle. Mrs. Delphinium Twinkle. And suddenly everything in Chrysanthemum's life is a whole lot better. I liked the moral of this lesson and the way in which Chrysanthemum learns that it's okay to be original. I also liked the epilogue in this tale wherein the leader of Chrysanthemum's tormentors abruptly forgets her lines in the school play and our little heroine is vindicated. Call me shallow, but I always enjoy it when the villains in a piece "get theirs". This is probably indicative of a singular shallowness on my part. Just the same, the fact that the similarly tormented Molly of the children’s book, "Molly's Pilgrim" never receives any vindication has always bothered me. So kudos to Kevin Henkes for punishing the bad guys mildly! Hear hear! There are other less personally petty things I like about this book too. I always love a good Henkesian drawing. I love that the parents in these tales are always caring, available, and attentive to their children's needs. In this book I was especially amused by Chrysanthemum's father running to child psychology texts (like "The Inner Mouse Vol. 1: Childhood Anxiety" and "A Rose By Any Other Name... Understanding Identity") to help his daughter. I loved the extraordinarily cool Mrs. Twinkle with her hugely pregnant stomach, ballet shoes, and tail that twists into a musical staff. I loved it all. If you have a child being teased by fellow classmates for being a little off, this may not be the best book to offer, but it's pretty darn good. Give it a shot and see what you think. If you love Henkes, you won't be disappointed. |
Kathryn (MSL quote), USA
<2006-12-26 00:00>
I purchased 35 copies of Chrysanthemum and passed them out to my faculty at our first meeting. We talked about what we needed to do to make sure all of the 'Chrysanthemums' entrusted to our care blossom. All teachers will read and discuss this book with their class several times during the month of September as we work together to ensure a great start to the new school year! |
Joyce (MSL quote), USA
<2006-12-26 00:00>
We love the little mice of Kevin Henkes, and Chrysanthemum is no exception. This is a really sweet book about being different, and being okay with it. We have a ridicously long last name, so we read this one to our five-year-old girls in case they encounter a similar problem in school. It also provides a good starting point for discussions on why we don't make fun of other children's names, or for any other reason. |
A reader (MSL quote), USA
<2006-12-26 00:00>
I think that this story is one that will inspire children. It deals with the elements of peer pressure that all children will face at one point or another and shows how easily views are swayed. This story also does a good job of demonstrating that everyone has ups and downs. I would recommend reading this story to your child or class at the beginning of the school year as a model for inappropriate behavior and ways to handle bullies. I would also recommend other stories by this author because they include good use of voice as well as life situations with which almost all children can relate. |
View all 9 comments |
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