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Loading... Chrysanthemum (1991)by Kevin Henkes
Henkes's repetition of entire sentences every few pages is extremely irritating. The only thing I think is good about this book are the illustrations. ( )Chrysanthemum absolutely loves her name, up until the kids in her class tease her about it, her parents encourage her that her name is perfect, but every time she goes back to school she ends up hating her name again, this cycles up until the kids fall in love with the fun music teacher who has a name similar to Chrysanthemum and even considering naming her baby Chrysanthemum. I love this book because it explains a sense that everyones name is tailored to them. I recommend this book to children ages 4 to 9. This book is about a little mouse called Chrysanthemum. She loves her name until she starts school and the other girls start to tease about it. Finally, a music teacher says that she appreciates Chrysanthemum's name and things change. A great story to teach about respecting other and to discuss bulling. Reading Journal: counts as 1 Picture Book. Example of author explanation using parenthesis: (macaroni and cheese with ketchup) and (chocolate cake with buttercream frosting) Kevin Henkes captures the struggles many children face in grade school: bullying and insecurities. In this book, a little mouse named Chrysanthemum faces bullying about her name in her kindergarten class, and the teacher doesn't help. Finally, the class meets someone who will understand how to help Chrysanthemum, and her school experience is changed forever. no reviews | add a review
Amazon.com Amazon.com Review (ISBN 0688147321, Paperback)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 (retrieved from Amazon Thu, 14 Feb 2013 13:38:25 -0500) Chrysanthemum loves her name, until she starts going to school and the other children make fun of it. |
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