Susie’s Book Nook - August Children’s Book Review: “Chrysanthemum”

I have worked with children now for well over 50 years, in public schools, in Sunday Schools, in a variety of camps, VBS or some variety thereof, and in neighborhood or social gatherings. I have been in a teacher mode with many, many children including my own and friends’ children, and grandchildren. In all those years and situations one thing has not changed. “Bullies” still rise in the mix to humiliate or hurt another’s feelings or demean another in an attempt to make themselves superior in some way. The scars created may or may not go away. The bullies often left unchecked continue their patterns into society as adults. Maybe you’ve even noticed a few in today’s political climate.

In my search for good books that could address bullying for young children I found a classic favorite, “Chrysanthemum” by Kevin Henkes, one of his “Mouse Books.” Here you meet a mouse family excited to welcome their new baby who they name Chrysanthemum. A perfectly delightful name for someone whose life is filled with sunshine and love as she grows. In fact, Chrysanthemum thought her name was absolutely perfect until she started school.

Sadly, Chrysanthemum is singled out as being different because of her name. A name she has loved is now a source of ridicule. Imagine, “You’re named after a flower.”

Imagine, “Your name has 13 letters. That’s half the number of letters in the alphabet!” Simple statements that hurt at the core when one just wants to be accepted and included. As the story continues these simple statements get harsher such that Chrysanthemum really does not want to go to school. As a parent, my heart just aches for Chrysanthemum. Her parents, too, ache for their daughter and do all they can at home to build this precious soul up each evening.

I must admit I was dismayed with the primary teacher represented in the book who doesn’t take any action and I believe by no action only encourages the inappropriate behavior of Chrysanthemum’s classmates. Luckily a music teacher enters into the picture and shares her own long name, Delphinium, also a flower. This teacher’s interactions help change the climate of the classroom and help “the bullies” change their attitudes and behavior.

Stories, such as Chrysanthemum, give us as parents a wonderful opportunity to talk about how we treat one another by our words and actions. These words and actions have the power to build us up or tear us down and can lead us into very positive or negative directions. Whether our children are bullied or not, it allows us to bring awareness to behaviors that are hurtful. It also gives us opportunities to learn if these things are happening in the classrooms of our children. As a teacher, I was always grateful when parents took an interest in what was happening in my classrooms and help me be more aware of social interactions among my students.

This is only one of many wonderful stories to help bring the conversation of bullying to the forefront in household conversations. While this story is great for your early grades, next month I will offer another favorite of mine more appropriate for your older elementary aged student.

Kevin Henkes has written many wonderful picture books and stories and is certainly an author I would recommend who is usually easily found in your local libraries.