Chrysanthemum by Kevin Henkes

Chrysanthemum is a lovely picture book to promote identity, friendships, self-management and female lead characters.

Chrysanthemum loves her name but on her first day of school, she gets teased for its uniqueness. She tells her parents “School is no place for me… My name is too long. It scarcely fits on my name tag. And I’m named after a flower.” But when her music teacher reveals she is naming her baby Chrysanthemum, everyone wants to change their name to a flower.

Series: Kevin Henkes has a collection of mice character books – A Weekend with Wendell; Sheila Rae, the Brave; Chester’s Way; Julius, the Baby of the World; Chrysanthemum; Owen; Lilly’s Purple Plastic Purse; Wemberly Worried; Lilly’s Big Day; Penny and Her Song; Penny and Her Doll; Penny and Her Marble