Chrysanthemum: Kevin Henkes

Chrysanthemum

Author/Illustrator: Kevin Henkes
Publisher: Greenwillow Books
Publication Year: 1991
Brief Summary: Chrysanthemum used to love her name, but when her classmates start teasing her about it, she’s not so sure any more.

Awards, Honors and Prizes:

• ABC Children’s Booksellers Choices Award, 1992 Winner Picture Books United States
• SMART Book Award, 2002 Nominee United States
• Children’s Catalog, Eighteenth Edition, 2001 ; H.W. Wilson
• Children’s Catalog, Nineteenth Edition, 2006 ; H.W. Wilson
• Educators’ Top 100 Children’s Books, 2007 ; NEA Survey
• Horn Book Fanfare, 1991 ; Horn Book
• Kirkus Book Review Stars, 1991
• Notable Children’s Books, 1992 ; Association for Library Service to Children
• Outstanding Books by Wisconsin Authors and Illustrators, 1992 ; Wisconsin Library Association
• Recommended Literature: Kindergarten through Grade Twelve, 2002 ; California Department of Education
• School Library Journal Best Books, 1991 ; Cahners

Ideas for using this book in classroom or library:

• This could be a beginning-of-the-year book to read.  Talk about bullying/teasing and how that affect kids.  Why do you think Chrysanthemum “wilt”?  What eventually made her feel better?
• Do you like your name?  Do you know what it means?  Have students research their names or discuss how you got it?  (Named after someone?  Special reason?)
• Pair with reader theater texts and have kids put on their own play.

Brief notes on curriculum connections/content learning standards/Common Core/etc.

• Social studies: social awareness/bullying

Special features included (if applicable) — index; timeline; author’s notes; further reading; etc.
Accessed at: Personal Library

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