Chrysanthemum

Author/ Illustrator: Kevin Henkes

Publisher/Date: Harper Colins. September 16,1991

Age range/class level:Grades 1-2

Awards: California Young readers Medal Nominee for

Primary (1994)

Illustrations & Design: Pen and Ink Pictures

Genre: Fiction. Children’s Literature

Theme(s): Acceptance

Characters: Chrysanthemum, Rita, Jo, and Victoria

Summary: Chrysanthemum loves her name, until she starts

kindergarten, which is an unfamiliar world full of
short names like Sue, Bill, Max, Sam, and Joe. But it's
 Victoria who really makes Chrysanthemum wilt,
offering that she was named after her grandmother,
which is much more important than being named
after a flower. Though Chrysanthemum's parents try
to soothe her wounded soul with "hugs, kisses" it's
not easy to find comfort and regain the lost self-
esteem with all the girls on the playground
threatening to "pluck" and "smell" you.

Textual Components:

• Watercolor Illustrations

• Pen and Ink Illustrations

• Surrealistic

Classroom Connections:

• Writing

• Flowers/ Nature

• Acceptance

• Unity