Stories for Growing
Cover of ChrysanthemumAge guidance pending
Knowing yourselfEmpathyRespect

Chrysanthemum

Kevin Henkes

Age guidance pending

We haven’t confirmed a numerical age range for this book yet.

Chrysanthemum’s pride in her name is tested by school teasing, creating a candidate for kindness, respect, and empathy.

Chrysanthemum is proud of her unusual name. At school, classmates tease her and make her feel embarrassed. A teacher models affirmation and belonging, shifting the social environment.

Good forBeing unkindBullying

Recommended by Mama.Papa.Bubba.

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What children see in the story

Taking pride in identity. Teasing and exclusion as harmful behavior. Adult intervention. Affirming another child’s identity.

Why it’s on these shelves

Knowing yourself
Chrysanthemum is proud of her unusual name until classmates tease her at school and she loses confidence. An admired teacher’s example changes how the name is seen, and she gets her pride back.
Empathy
The teasing hurts: Chrysanthemum loses confidence at school. A teacher’s support changes the room, and the story doesn’t say whether the classmates apologize.
Respect
An admired teacher treats Chrysanthemum’s name as something to celebrate, and the classmates’ view of it shifts. Her pride and her place in the class come back.

Why pick it up?

The author page and library sources describe teasing, Mrs. Twinkle’s intervention, and Chrysanthemum blossoming again.

A note for parents

Classmates tease Chrysanthemum about her name until a teacher changes how they see it. Good for talking about teasing from both sides.

Where this recommendation comes from

Mama.Papa.Bubba.

One of the same ten books.

Read Jen’s recommendation
Sources and review status

We have checked source descriptions and drafted the value mapping. We have not personally reviewed the full book. The value labels, situation assignments, and parent notes remain provisional.

Publisher or literacy resource · Original recommendation

Our explanation of the value fit is separate from the original reviewer’s judgment. Their inclusion here does not imply an endorsement of Stories for Growing.

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