Chrysanthemum

Chrysanthemum loved everything about her name until she went to school. Her friends teased her about her name. They told her she looked like a flower, and lived in a garden with dirty things. Chrysanthemum started to dread school, and decided she no longer liked her name.

Then Chrysanthemum meets Mrs. Twinkle. Everyone admires Mrs. Twinkle. When Mrs. Twinkle hears Chrysanthemum being teased she informs the class that she will be naming her unborn baby Chrysanthemum. After Mrs. Twinkle's announcement Chrysanthemum believes her name is absolutely perfect once again.

When I really think about it, this book does not send a good message to children. Chrysanthemum doesn't feel good about her name, hence herself, until a teacher gives her approval. Children should not be taught that their worth is determined by how others view them. They should be taught that one's sense of worth comes from the inside.

A little mouse with a big name. The pictures are adorable, and all kids should sympathize with the girl who happens to have a quality that is a little different.

I teach kindergarten, and this book was great to use for shared reading. The students loved the big, colorful pictures, and the story about funny names.

Adorable as ever :) I'm thinking I might use this for my children's lit paper, hey, why not? Love it just as much as I loved it when I read it years ago. The illustrations are still great (and snarky!), and the writing's just perfect, capturing the imaginations of both young and old. It's truly a tale of individuality for the ages.