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A review by snowelf
Chrysanthemum by Kevin Henkes
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.