Until Chrysanthemum started kindergarten, she believed her parents when they said her name was perfect. But on the first day of school, Chrysanthemum begins to suspect that her name is far from perfect, especially when her class dissolves into giggles upon hearing her name read aloud. That evening, Chrysanthemum's parents try to piece her self-esteem back together again with comfort food and a night filled "with hugs, kisses, and Parcheesi". But the next day Victoria, a particularly observant and mean-spirited classmate, announces that Chrysanthemum's name takes up 13 letters. "That's half the letters in the alphabet!" she adds. Chrysanthemum wilts. Pretty soon the girls are making playground threats to "pluck" Chrysanthemum and "smell her".
Kevin Henkes displays great compassion for the victims of childhood teasing and cruelties, skilfully employing fresh language, endearing pen-and-ink mouse characters and realistic dialogue to portray real-life vulnerability. He also has great compassion for parents, offering several adult-humour jokes for anxious mummies and daddies. On the surface, the finale is overly tidy and the coincidences unbelievable. But in the end, what sustains Chrysanthemum, as well as this story, is the steadfast love and support of her family. And because of this, the closure is, ultimately, convincing and comforting. ALA Notable Book, School Library Journal Best Book of the Year, Horn Book Fanfare Honor List. (Ages 4 to 8) --Gail Hudson
Kevin Henkes displays great compassion for the victims of childhood teasing and cruelties, skilfully employing fresh language, endearing pen-and-ink mouse characters and realistic dialogue to portray real-life vulnerability. He also has great compassion for parents, offering several adult-humour jokes for anxious mummies and daddies. On the surface, the finale is overly tidy and the coincidences unbelievable. But in the end, what sustains Chrysanthemum, as well as this story, is the steadfast love and support of her family. And because of this, the closure is, ultimately, convincing and comforting. ALA Notable Book, School Library Journal Best Book of the Year, Horn Book Fanfare Honor List. (Ages 4 to 8) --Gail Hudson
Used availability for Kevin Henkes's Chrysanthemum
See all available used copies of this book at: Abebooks UK or Abebooks US
Hardback Editions
September 2008 : Hardback
| Title: Chrysanthemum (special Edition) Author(s): Kevin Henkes ISBN: 0-06-171294-9 / 978-0-06-171294-4 (USA edition) Publisher: Greenwillow Availability: Amazon Amazon CA More details... |
2000 : Hardback
| Title: Chrysanthemum Author(s): Kevin Henkes Publisher: Greenwillow Books Availability: Amazon More details... |
October 1999 : Library Binding
| Title: Chrysanthemum Author(s): Kevin Henkes ISBN: 0-613-00459-0 / 978-0-613-00459-6 (USA edition) Publisher: Turtleback Books Availability: Amazon Amazon UK More details... |
July 1998 : Hardback
| Title: Chrysanthemum Author(s): Kevin Henkes ISBN: 0-340-72793-4 / 978-0-340-72793-5 (UK edition) Publisher: Hodder Children's Books Availability: Amazon Amazon UK Amazon CA More details... |
June 1998 : Hardback
| Title: Chrysanthemum Author(s): Kevin Henkes ISBN: 0-7882-0675-3 / 978-0-7882-0675-7 (USA edition) Publisher: Weston Woods Availability: Amazon Amazon UK Amazon CA More details... |
September 1996 : Hardback
| Title: Chrysanthemum Author(s): Kevin Henkes ISBN: 0-7807-6259-2 / 978-0-7807-6259-6 (USA edition) Publisher: Perfection Learning Availability: Amazon Amazon UK More details... |
July 1993 : Hardback
| Title: Chrysanthemum (Viking Kestrel Picture Books) Author(s): Kevin Henkes ISBN: 0-670-84320-2 / 978-0-670-84320-6 (USA, AU, or UK edition) Publisher: Viking Children's Books Availability: Amazon UK More details... |
September 1991 : Hardback
| Title: Chrysanthemum Author(s): Kevin Henkes ISBN: 0-688-09699-9 / 978-0-688-09699-1 (USA edition) Publisher: Greenwillow Books Availability: Amazon Amazon UK Amazon CA More details... |
September 1991 : Library Binding
| Title: Chrysanthemum Author(s): Kevin Henkes ISBN: 0-688-09700-6 / 978-0-688-09700-4 (USA edition) Publisher: Greenwillow Books Availability: Amazon Amazon UK Amazon CA More details... |
Paperback Editions
October 2007 : Paperback
| Title: Chrysanthemum Big Book Author(s): Kevin Henkes ISBN: 0-06-111974-1 / 978-0-06-111974-3 (USA edition) Publisher: Greenwillow Books Availability: Amazon Amazon UK Amazon CA More details... |
January 2005 : Paperback
| Title: Chrysanthemum Author(s): Kevin Henkes ISBN: 0-590-13565-1 / 978-0-590-13565-8 (USA edition) Publisher: Scholastic Availability: Amazon Amazon UK Amazon CA More details... |
July 1998 : Paperback
| Title: Chrysanthemum Author(s): Kevin Henkes ISBN: 0-340-72794-2 / 978-0-340-72794-2 (UK edition) Publisher: Hodder Children's Books Availability: Amazon Amazon UK Amazon CA More details... |
September 1996 : Paperback
| Title: Chrysanthemum Author(s): Kevin Henkes ISBN: 0-688-14732-1 / 978-0-688-14732-7 (USA edition) Publisher: Mulberry Books Availability: Amazon Amazon UK Amazon CA More details... |
1992 : Paperback
| Title: Chrysanthemum Author(s): Kevin Henkes ISBN: 0-440-84812-1 / 978-0-440-84812-7 (USA edition) Availability: Amazon More details... |
January 1991 : Paperback
| Title: Chrysanthemum Author(s): Kevin Henkes Publisher: GREENWILLOW BOOKS Availability: Amazon More details... |
Other Editions
January 2020 : Kindle edition
| Title: Chrysanthemum Author(s): Kevin Henkes Publisher: Avon Availability: Amazon UK More details... |
February 2012 : Kindle edition
| Title: Chrysanthemum Author(s): Kevin Henkes Publisher: Greenwillow Books Availability: Amazon More details... |
2000 : Unknown
| Title: Chrysanthemum Author(s): Kevin Henkes Publisher: Braille Group of Buffalo Availability: Amazon UK More details... |
September 1997 : Unknown
| Title: Chrysanthemum Author(s): Kevin Henkes ISBN: 0-7807-7154-0 / 978-0-7807-7154-3 (USA edition) Publisher: Perfection Learning Prebound Availability: Amazon Amazon UK More details... |
September 1996 : Turtleback
| Title: Chrysanthemum Author(s): Kevin Henkes ISBN: 0-606-09148-3 / 978-0-606-09148-0 (USA edition) Publisher: Demco Media Availability: Amazon Amazon UK Amazon CA More details... |
1991 : Unknown
| Title: Chrysanthemum Author(s): Kevin Henkes Publisher: Greenwillow Books Availability: Amazon More details... |
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