Until Chrysanthemum started kindergarten, she believed her
parents when they said her name was perfect. But on the first day
of school, Chrysanthemum begins to suspect that her name is far
less than perfect, especially when her class dissolves into giggles
upon hearing her name read aloud. That evening, Chrysanthemum''s
parents try to piece her self-esteem back together again with
comfort food and a night filled "with hugs, kisses, and Parcheesi."
But the next day Victoria, a particularly observant and
mean-spirited classmate, announces that Chrysanthemum''s name takes
up 13 letters. "That''s half the letters in the alphabet!" she adds.
Chrysanthemum wilts. Pretty soon the girls are making playground
threats to "pluck" Chrysanthemum and "smell her."
Kevin Henkes has great compassion for the victims of childhood
teasing and cruelties--using fresh language, endearing pen-and-ink
mouse characters, and realistic dialogue to portray real-life
vulnerability. He also has great compassion for parents, offering
several adult-humor jokes for anxious mommies and daddies. On the
surface, the finale is overly tidy and the coincidences
unbelievable. But in the end, what sustains Chrysanthemum, as well
as this story, is the steadfast love and support of her family. And
because of this, the closure is ultimately convincing and utterly
comforting. ALA Notable Book, School Library Journal Best Book of
the Year, Horn Book Fanfare Honor List. Ages 4 to 8
關於作者：
Kevin Henkes lives in Madison, Wisconsin. His novels include
Protecting Marie and Words of Stone. Among his picture books are
Owen, a 1994 Caldecott Honor Book; Lilly''s Purple Plastic Purse;
and Julius, the Baby of the World.
In His Own Words...
"I remember drawing at a very early age. I loved it. And my
parents and teachers told me I was good at it -- that made me love
it all the more."
"I also loved books, and the ones I was lucky enough to own were
reread, looked at over and over, and regarded with great respect.
To me great respect'' meant that I took them everywhere, and the
ones I still own prove it. They''re brimming with all the telltale
signs of true love: dog-eared pages, fingerprints on my favorite
illustrations, my name and address inscribed on both front and back
covers in inch-high crayon lettering, and the faint smell of stale
peanut butter on the bindings."
"I wondered about authors and illustrators back then -- " What
did they look like? Where did they live? Did they have families?
How old were they? -- but I never imagined that one day I would be
one myself."
"I became an author-illustrator when I was nineteen years old. I
flew from my home in Racine, Wisconsin, to New York City with my
portfolio, hoping to find a publisher. And magically enough Susan
Hirschman at Greenwillow Books made my dream come true. My first
picture book, All Alone, was published in 1987. Since then I''ve
written and illustrated many picture books and written several
novels. I like the variety of trying new ways to fill the pages
between two covers. Experimenting with words and paint and ink
keeps my job interesting."
"I used to live with my parents and brothers and sister and work
at a card table in my bedroom. Now I live with my wife, my son, and
my daughter in our own house and work at a drawing table in my own
studio. I never thought I''d be lucky enough to be a real author and
illustrator. I wouldn''t trade it for anything."
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