optimaggie's review against another edition
5.0
Somehow I had never read this book until a couple of days ago. I must say that the cover didn't exactly draw me in (nor my son) and I almost didn't read it until we returned it to the library, but I am so glad I picked it up. I adored this sweet story about a mouse with an unusual name.
alisonzam's review against another edition
5.0
A lovely book about the power of words and the influence we have on each other as young children. Beautiful illustrations and a solid message about being kind and unique.
adiavi's review against another edition
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
snowelf's review against another edition
5.0
After only one reading of this book, it was already my favorite. For a book that is comprehensible to a three year old, this one is so full of emotion, pride, disappointment and hurt that it brought tears to my eyes. It has so much to say, and it says it well. Chrysanthemum is excited to start school, but her enthusiasm is quickly shattered when she falls object to teasing and taunting. It's not easy being different!
I love the way her story is told, from the cradle till her first steps in kindergarten. "The day she was born was the happiest day in her parents' lives." The little pictures show the milestones of her infancy and toddler years. She is loved and cherished and happy and proud. Until the day she begins school: "On her first day, Chrysanthemum wore her sunniest dress and her brightest smile." But the cruel remarks of her class mates ruin it all. Her fault: having a name that stands out. "School is no place for me," says Chrysanthemum as she returns home. "My name is too long." Her parents (while demonstrating concern over her issues) try to cheer her up and boost her confidence, but once Chrysanthemum is back at school it proves of no value. Ultimately though, she finds unexpected support and in the end gets validation. There's an epilogue to the story, that parents and older kids will find funny. When reading the book to my 3 year old however, I passed on it, all but the two last lines, because 1) I knew it would go over his head, and 2) the message is a little double edged, and I think he's too young for that sort of meanness, even if justified.
In addition to the message of the story, which is both heartfelt and well delivered, the book is delightful and witty. The illustrations are funny, cute, clever and full of details. The text is sensitive, simple enough for the little ones, but subtle enough for the older ones. My son was moved by it, and it probably felt quite real to him as the pictures portrayed a preschool setting very similar to his. He was dismayed at how mean Chrysanthemum's "friends" were. In particular he did not like how they said she was a "flower".
If you feel in need of being reminded that it's okay to be different, this is the book. As a an adult you will probably like it a lot too.
I love the way her story is told, from the cradle till her first steps in kindergarten. "The day she was born was the happiest day in her parents' lives." The little pictures show the milestones of her infancy and toddler years. She is loved and cherished and happy and proud. Until the day she begins school: "On her first day, Chrysanthemum wore her sunniest dress and her brightest smile." But the cruel remarks of her class mates ruin it all. Her fault: having a name that stands out. "School is no place for me," says Chrysanthemum as she returns home. "My name is too long." Her parents (while demonstrating concern over her issues) try to cheer her up and boost her confidence, but once Chrysanthemum is back at school it proves of no value. Ultimately though, she finds unexpected support and in the end gets validation. There's an epilogue to the story, that parents and older kids will find funny. When reading the book to my 3 year old however, I passed on it, all but the two last lines, because 1) I knew it would go over his head, and 2) the message is a little double edged, and I think he's too young for that sort of meanness, even if justified.
In addition to the message of the story, which is both heartfelt and well delivered, the book is delightful and witty. The illustrations are funny, cute, clever and full of details. The text is sensitive, simple enough for the little ones, but subtle enough for the older ones. My son was moved by it, and it probably felt quite real to him as the pictures portrayed a preschool setting very similar to his. He was dismayed at how mean Chrysanthemum's "friends" were. In particular he did not like how they said she was a "flower".
If you feel in need of being reminded that it's okay to be different, this is the book. As a an adult you will probably like it a lot too.
magsrreads's review against another edition
5.0
Growing up with the name “Margaret”, I totally related to Chrysanthemum as a little girl. was/is still one of my favorite children’s books.
stilesb's review against another edition
4.0
Chrysanthemum tells the story of young Chrysanthemum who is about to start school for the first time. She comes from a very loving family who support and dote on her. Chrysanthemum begins the book with a lot of confidence in who she is and a love for her name. Throughout the book, a couple of the girls in her class begin to bully her about her name until they meet their music teacher. She is kind to Chrysanthemum and compliments her name. The bullies are enchanted by this teacher and stop harassing Chrysanthemum. Both of these events restore Chrysanthemum's confidence and self worth.
This is such a great book to teach with. It's great to start the year and talk about being kind to other another, pointing out how words can hurt each other and how we need to be respectful. I also like using it to teach Notice and Note strategies. This book contains words of the wiser, when her parents are telling her to be proud of herself as well as what her music teacher tells her. It also has again and again, where we see the bullying happening to Chrysanthemum over and over again, which teaches us the conflict of the story.
This is such a great book to teach with. It's great to start the year and talk about being kind to other another, pointing out how words can hurt each other and how we need to be respectful. I also like using it to teach Notice and Note strategies. This book contains words of the wiser, when her parents are telling her to be proud of herself as well as what her music teacher tells her. It also has again and again, where we see the bullying happening to Chrysanthemum over and over again, which teaches us the conflict of the story.
manumental's review against another edition
5.0
i owned this book as a child, and i loved it because i related so deeply to the main character—in that i also hated my name at the time. i can’t believe how much this book stuck with me over time.
heisereads's review against another edition
4.0
I can see why this is a beloved classic, but goodness those classmates are brats and I'm not sure they really get the lesson they should.
bethdearie's review against another edition
5.0
This is the first book I ever read by myself at the age of four. I lost my original copy but was lucky enough to find another at a second hand book store. I still love it twenty years later.
5elementknitr's review against another edition
4.0
I love that the dad is secretly reading parenting books. hah!
I didn't like that the teacher just let the kids get away with bullying Chrysanthemum. But, this book was written in 1991 when that was still allowed.
I didn't like that the teacher just let the kids get away with bullying Chrysanthemum. But, this book was written in 1991 when that was still allowed.