Chrysanthemum
by Kevin Henkes
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Book Summary Information
Author: Kevin HenkesEdition: Paperback
Audio: English (Original Language); English (Unknown); English (Published)
Published: 1996-09-20
ISBN: 0688147321
Number of pages: 32
Reading Level: Ages 4-8
Publisher: Mulberry Books
Product features:
- ISBN13: 9780688147327
- Condition: NEW
- Notes: Brand New from Publisher. No Remainder Mark.
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Book Reviews of Chrysanthemum
Book Review: Repetition, repetition, repetition. Precious, perfect, pass on this.
Summary: 2 Stars
Kevin Henkes is an incredible illustrator and has produced wonderful children's stories. However, this book is not one of them. My husband and I dread the nights when my child finds this book and asks us to read it. In short, the use of repetition in this book is unbearable. The story is okay, except that the parents' fixation of how "perfect" their daughter is, what a perfect name, and so on, is what the older generation thinks of as Gen X parents run amok with the preciousness of their progeny. (It's way too precious for this Gen X parent.) The "mean girls in kindergarten" story line is not handled in a very constructive way either. It's only through a fluke that Chrysanthemum avoids being bullied permanently by a group of 5-year-olds about her name. I look forward to better stories from this author in the future.
Summary of Chrysanthemum
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....
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
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- Children's Books > Ages 4-8
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