Chrysanthemum by Kevin Henkes

Some stories feel like a warm hug on the first day of school. This is one of them.

Chrysanthemum thinks her name is absolutely perfect—until her very first day of school. “You’re named after a flower!” teases Victoria. “Let’s smell her,” giggles Jo. And just like that, poor Chrysanthemum wilts. What will it take to help her blossom again?

Written and illustrated by the nationally bestselling and beloved Kevin Henkes—the celebrated creator of Lilly’s Purple Plastic Purse, Owen, and Kitten’s First Full Moon—this is a funny, tender, and honest little book about teasing, self-esteem, and the quiet magic of acceptance.

It’s more than a good story, too. This modern classic has sold more than a million copies and was named a Notable Book for Children by the American Library Association. As The Horn Book put it: “Perfectly executed in words and illustration, Chrysanthemum exemplifies Henkes’s talent for creating true picture stories for young audiences.”

Why do parents and teachers keep it on the shelf year after year? Because it’s the perfect break-the-ice book. It gets children thinking about their own names, and it opens the door to gentle conversations about kindness, tolerance, and treating classmates with compassion.

We love the way the pages practically beg to be read aloud, whether it’s back-to-school season or a rainy afternoon here by the cove.

Come linger a while and discover a story your little one will ask for again and again. It’s a shelf-talker favorite for a reason.

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