Chrysanthemum
Chrysanthemum loves her name until school starts and people begin to tease her about how it looks written down. This story follows her journey from feeling "wilted" to finding confidence through the kindness of a music teacher.
Chrysanthemum by Kevin Henkes is estimated to take about 12 minutes to read aloud (1,141 words, about 4 sentences a page), and it lands best with children aged 4-8.
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- Estimated read-aloud time
- about 12 minutesEstimated read-aloud time
- Word count
- 1,141Counted words
- Sentences per page
- 4Sentences per page
- Re-read tolerance
- 4/5repeat friendly
- Vocabulary level
- 3/5a few new words
- Best for
- Ages 4-8Our editorial fit
Our review
The book uses visual metaphors, like a mouse shrinking as the character loses confidence, to help children understand internal emotions. It’s a sensitive way to handle the very real sting of being teased.
This is a wonderful read for children facing name-based worries or school-related social pressures. It offers a sense of belonging that feels earned rather than just promised.
Before you buy it
At 1,141 words, the teasing is sustained for most of it. Read it before a name-based worry rather than during one, if you can.
Themes
- names
- school
- teasing
- belonging
- mice
Books like Chrysanthemum
Matched by refrain, density, length, and listener—not just the subject.
Lilly's Purple Plastic Purseabout 12 minutes estimated · 4/5 re-read
Alma and How She Got Her Nameabout 5.5 minutes estimated · 4/5 re-read
Wemberly Worriedabout 6.5 minutes estimated · 3/5 re-read
Giraffes Can't Danceabout 6 minutes estimated · 4/5 re-read
The Proudest Blue: A Story of Hijab and Familyabout 7.5 minutes estimated · 4/5 re-read
Questions parents ask
How long does it take to read Chrysanthemum aloud?
About 12 minutes at an unhurried pace, including a standard allowance for page turns, pictures and participation, from a word count of 1,141. Stopping for a longer conversation on every page will add more time.
What age is Chrysanthemum actually for?
Ages 4-8 in our testing, which is narrower than the publisher's range. With 4 sentences a page and vocabulary at 3 out of 5, it asks for that much attention span and no more.
Does Chrysanthemum survive being read on repeat?
Yes. It survives a fortnight of nightly repeats, which is the real test.
Is Chrysanthemum a good book for a child who will not sit still?
It helps that it has a refrain a child can join in with. Those three features are what keep a wriggling toddler listening, far more than the subject matter does.
Will my child memorise Chrysanthemum?
Probably, and fast. The book leans on a repeated refrain, and at 4 out of 5 for re-read tolerance it survives the nightly repeats that get a book memorised. Expect your child to chant the pattern back before they can actually read.
Can a beginning reader read Chrysanthemum on their own?
Not yet. At vocabulary level 3 out of 5 and 4 sentences a page, it is a read-aloud book rather than a first solo read. Read it to them now, and hand it over in a year or two.
What themes does Chrysanthemum cover?
We tag it with names, school, teasing, belonging and mice. Those are the threads that actually run through the book, not just the ones on the cover, which is how it earns its place on our themed lists rather than a keyword match.
