Chrysanthemum (book)

Chrysanthemum is a 1991 children's picture book by American writer and illustrator Kevin Henkes.[1]

Chrysanthemum
Paperback cover
AuthorKevin Henkes
IllustratorHenkes
Cover artistHenkes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
SeriesMouse Books
GenrePicture book
PublisherGreenwillow Books
Publication date
September 16, 1991
ISBN0-688-09699-9
Preceded byJulius, the Baby of the World 
Followed byOwen 

Chrysanthemum was chosen as an ALA Notable Book and the School Library Journal Best Book of the Year, and it is on the Horn Book Fanfare Honor List.[2] Based on a 2007 online poll, the National Education Association listed the book as one of its "Teachers' Top 100 Books for Children."[3] It was one of the "Top 100 Picture Books" of all time in a 2012 poll by School Library Journal.[4]

Summary

Chrysanthemum is a young mouse who loves her unique name until she is teased about it by her classmates. Her main tormentors are three girls named Jo, Rita, and Victoria, who ridicule her for being named after a flower and point out that her name is so long it barely fits on a name tag. Chrysanthemum expresses her sadness to her parents, who comfort her with her favorite meals and a game of Parcheesi while her father secretly reads a book on child psychology.

One day, her class meets the music teacher named Ms. Twinkle, who help them with an upcoming musical. Chrysanthemum is assigned to be a daisy, which makes Jo, Rita and Victoria tease her once again. However, Ms. Twinkle confronts them, and reveals that her first name, Delphinium, is also long and inspired by a flower. The three apologize to her, and Chrysanthemum’s confidence in her name is restored. Later, Ms. Twinkle gives birth to a daughter, whom she names Chrysanthemum.

Critical reception

Kirkus Reviews said Chrysanthemum is "another winner from this perceptive artist," saying "Henkes's language and humor are impeccably fresh, his cozy illustrations sensitive and funny, his little asides to adults an unobtrusive delight."[5]

Awards and honors

The Horn Book Magazine named Chrysanthemum one of the best books of 1991.[6]

In 1991, the book won the Council of Wisconsin Writers Children’s Book Award.[7]

Adaptions

In 1998 Weston Woods developed an animated story based on the book's illustrations, which was narrated by Meryl Streep. In 2002 it was produced by Newvideo and Scholastic and bundled with 5 other animated stories on a "Scholastic Storybook Treasures" DVD.[8]

References
  1. Handy, Bruce (May 13, 2007). "Getting Better All the Time". The New York Times. Archived from the original on September 15, 2016. Retrieved February 21, 2017.
  2. "Chrysanthemum by Kevin Henkes". FantasticFiction. Archived from the original on 2012-10-17. Retrieved 28 August 2021.
  3. National Education Association (2007). "Teachers' Top 100 Books for Children". Archived from the original on July 30, 2013. Retrieved August 19, 2012.
  4. Bird, Elizabeth (July 6, 2012). "Top 100 Picture Books Poll Results". School Library Journal "A Fuse #8 Production" blog. Archived from the original on December 4, 2012. Retrieved August 19, 2012.
  5. "Chrysanthemum". Kirkus Reviews. 1991-08-15. Archived from the original on 2021-09-19. Retrieved 2023-04-03.
  6. "Horn Book Fanfare 1938 to present". The Horn Book. Archived from the original on 2021-10-30. Retrieved 2023-04-04.
  7. "Contest History & Past Winners". Council for Wisconsin Writers. Archived from the original on 2022-06-29. Retrieved 2023-04-04.
  8. Scholastic Inc. (2002). "Scholastic Storybook Treasures Chrysanthemum and More Mouse Mayhem DVD". Archived from the original on November 3, 2013. Retrieved November 2, 2013.
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