Author/Illustrator: Kevin Henkes
Publisher: GreenWillow Books
Publication Date: 1991
Awards: ALA Notable Children’s Book, Horn Book Fanfare
Genre: Fiction
Audience: Gr. Pre-K+
Overview: The story is about a mouse named Chrysanthemum who loves her name until she gets to school and everyone begins teasing her. It’s a good way to approach why teasing is not an acceptable classroom behavior as well as celebrating our differences.
Activity: I would do a kindness activity – each student will get a paper plate with their name and picture on it. Everyone would then have to write one nice and original compliment on every other student’s plate. At the end, they all have a reminder of how everyone in the classroom is friends, and it enforces the learning community.
Reviewer’s Name: Sarah Pierson
