I started and finished A Sense of Direction in one evening; I couldn't really stop thinking about it, so I couldn't put it down. I found it...
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She was a perfect baby, and she had a perfect name. Chrysanthemum. When she was old enough to appreciate it, Chrysanthemum loved her name. And then she started school. "I'm named after my grandmother," said Victoria. "You're named after a flower." Chrysanthemum wilted. Life at school didn't improve. In fact, it got worse. Then the students were introduced to their music teacher, Mrs. Twinkle. Mrs. Delphinium Twinkle. And suddenly, Chrysanthemum blossomed....
Synopsis:
Chrysanthemum loved her name . . . until she went to school. "I'm named after my grandmother", said Victoria. "You're named after a flower". Chrysanthemum wilted. Nothing got any better--until the students met their music teacher, Mrs. Delphinium Twinkle. Full color.
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.
Jennifer Starkman, July 7, 2007 (view all comments by Jennifer Starkman)
This sweet, heartfelt story is one that every child will relate to. After all, doesn?t every child with a common name at some point long for a more unusual appellation and vice versa?
Little Chrysanthemum the mouse adores her name. She loves the way it sounds and looks, and thinks it is absolutely perfect. But when Chrysanthemum starts school, she finds that having an unusual name can be a burden as well as a blessing, when some of the other children start to tease her.
Chrysanthemum is a wonderful story about names and identity, self-confidence and self-image. It is written in a way that really speaks to kids, and delivers its message with a minimum of sermonizing and a neat, cheerful little twist at the end.
Was this comment helpful? | Yes | No (3 of 5 readers found this comment helpful)
"Synopsis"
by Libri,
Chrysanthemum loved her name . . . until she went to school. "I'm named after my grandmother", said Victoria. "You're named after a flower". Chrysanthemum wilted. Nothing got any better--until the students met their music teacher, Mrs. Delphinium Twinkle. Full color.
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