Chrysanthemum by Kevin Henkes

Age Range: 4-8 years

Kansas City kids are fully back to school and that means all the feelings that come with a new classroom situation are here too. Even in adulthood it can be hard to feel like you fit in and remember what makes you special. Chrysanthemum is an absolute classic in the genre of loving yourself for who you are. I don’t mind dating myself to tell you that this book was a childhood favorite of mine when it was first published in 1991. Today it thrills me that I can purchase this gem of a book for our pediatric families and recommend it to go home with our five-year-old patients graduating from our program. The story is about a sweet little mouse named Chrysanthemum who loves her name until all her classmates giggle at the first roll call. What follows is her journey into reclaiming her joy and self-love. It's a true treat and timeless lesson for readers of all ages. Watch this peaceful storytime read by the author himself with your family today. And as always, happy reading!