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Common Sense Note

Art and story mesh perfectly in this delightful tale, though the ending is a bit too coincidental. Clever writing, such as "Chrysanthemum wilted," adds to the overall appeal.

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Common Sense Review

Reviewed By: Sally Snyder

Children will feel Chrysanthemum's despair, and her hope that each day will be better, and author Keving Henkes takes care that the teasing students are won over, not put down.

Parents and perceptive children will enjoy Henkes's wordplay. Her father is a walking thesaurus, sprinkling synonyms that follow her mother's adjectives: When her mother says, "Your name is beautiful," he follows with, "And precious and priceless and fascinating and winsome."

Watercolor-and-ink illustrations capture Chrysanthemum's moods and the superior attitude of the other mice children at school. One page contains sixteen portraits and the names of each of the students written in their individual handwriting. Another shows the worried father surreptitiously reading a book titled The Inner Mouse, Volume One: Childhood Anxiety.

A different first day of school is experienced in Amanda Pig, Schoolgirl, by Jean Van Leeuwen. School is fun for Amanda, and the cheerful pig soon helps a shy girl enjoy school as well.

From The Book

Chrysanthemum thought her name was absolutely perfect. And then she started school. On the first day, Chrysanthemum wore her sunniest dress and her brightest smile. She ran all the way. "Hooray!" said Chrysanthemum. "School!" But when Mrs. Chud took roll call, everyone giggled upon hearing Chrysanthemum's name.

Plot Summary:

Hooray! said Chrysanthemum. "School!" Her joy is short-lived, however, as students tease her about her name. Reassured by her parents that she is loved and that her name is perfect, Chrysanthemum returns to school the next day, to more teasing. Engaging illustrations captivate young readers, who will be eager to know the outcome.

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