Chrysanthemum

Written & Illustrated by Kevin Henkes

Review by Haley Gonzalez Diaz

Synopsis:

Chrysanthemum, written and illustrated by Kevin Henkes, is about a young mouse named Chrysanthemum, who for the first time, experiences bullying. At home, her parents praise her name and make it known how special she is; but when she attends her first day of school, it is evident her peers do not feel the same way. Chrysanthemum experiences teasing and bullying over the length and origin of her name. She is made to feel small and an outcast. This story follows the journey of Chrysanthemum coming to accept her identity of unique qualities and overcoming her bullies with the help of her family and trusting adults around her. 

Anti Bias Elements:

Celebrating Uniqueness

Despite Chrysanthemum's troubles in school, she persevered and remembered her unique qualities to be something beautiful that should be celebrated. Her parents uplift her when she is feeling low, emphasizing the qualities that made them choose such a unique name for her. When she is reminded of how spectacular she and her name are, she gains back the confidence she lost to bullying. By the end of the book Chrysanthemum is happy to be different because it makes up who she is; she finds that being different isn't bad at all. This book incorporates the notion of self esteem while talking about being different, and it promotes a positive self esteem outlook. 

Bullying Awareness

The story depicts bullying in its different forms. Chrysanthemum not only gets teased to her face, but she is called out by one of her peers in front of the teacher and the rest of the class. She also has remarks made to her face that are not necessarily mean, but they are backhanded. The ways bullying is shown in this book exemplifies how words carry intention and significance. Chrysanthemum is not only hurt by what is said to her face, but by how she is alienated over something she cannot change and was once proud of. The book shows how bullying shows up in different ways for different people. This book is a good introduction and example for how people are bullied for things they cannot and often should not change, it has a universal moral of anti- bullying. 

Empowering Resolution & Adult Involvement

Henke's depiction of adult interference does not require the main character, Chrysanthemum, to tell on her peers or even approach the teacher at all. Although there is nothing wrong in doing so, it sets an example for adults as well, to interfere when observing inappropriate behavior. Mrs. Twinkle did not address them as bullies to Chrysanthemum, but she addressed them as students; most importantly, addressed their "concerns" with Chrysanthemum's name in a somewhat educating manner. Both, her parents and Mrs. Twinkle, are written as trusting adults who aim to help Chrysanthemum without harming her or anyone else. Henkes' goal of depicting how kindness is empowering and can change someone's outlook is present in Mrs. Twinkle's interference. 

Inclusive Illustrations

Although Chrysanthemum is a book about mice characters, Henkes does a good job of depicting diversity within them. There are characters who wear glasses, who are grey, white, brown, who have different fur patterns, etc. Each of the main characters, and even the students of the class who are shown all on one page, have distinct characteristics to them. The fact that he wrote and illustrated this story for children does not take away from the fact that the illustrations and subtleties, such as background happenings, are not stereotypical or harmful.