Title: Chrysanthemum
Author/Illustrator: Kevin Henkes
Publication Date: September 1996
Publisher: William Morrow (HarperCollins)
Summary:
Chrysanthemum, a young mouse, enters school eager to learn and make friends. Her first day she is teased endlessly about the length and nature of her name. Despite her parents' reassurance that she has a beautiful name, she dreams of having a more normal name like the rest of the mice in her class. After days of being teased, one day, the studetns meet their new music teacher. When the teacher sees the students teasing Chrysanthemum, she tells them that she too has a long name and she too is named after a flower. In awe, the students quickly stop their teasing and instead think of long, flower names for themselves. Chrysanthemum no longer dreads school and she is finally happy again.
Author/Illustrator: Kevin Henkes
Publication Date: September 1996
Publisher: William Morrow (HarperCollins)
Summary:
Chrysanthemum, a young mouse, enters school eager to learn and make friends. Her first day she is teased endlessly about the length and nature of her name. Despite her parents' reassurance that she has a beautiful name, she dreams of having a more normal name like the rest of the mice in her class. After days of being teased, one day, the studetns meet their new music teacher. When the teacher sees the students teasing Chrysanthemum, she tells them that she too has a long name and she too is named after a flower. In awe, the students quickly stop their teasing and instead think of long, flower names for themselves. Chrysanthemum no longer dreads school and she is finally happy again.
Recommendation
for Parents:
This story is perfect for children of all ages. It shows the effects that teasing has on innocent students, a lesson important for all children. The book is written such that students as young as kindergarteners will enjoy the story. The repetitive language engages students and allows them to take part in the story telling process. This story is sure to become a household favorite as it is a fun story with a perfect ending.
Recommendation for Other Teachers:
Chrysanthemum is sure to engage all students, especially in grades K-3. Kevin Henkes' illustrations aid English Learners' understandings of the story. This book can be used simply for an enjoyable read-aloud, or to address classroom issues that arise. I highly recommend it as a must read to early elementary students.
Personal Note:
Chrysanthemum has been a family favorite since I was young. My mother read it to my sisters and I countless times. The first time I used this as a read-aloud was when I worked with kindergarteners this past summer. They loved the story and insisted on it being read to them over and over. They loved the language and they story, and when any teasing incidents arose within the group, we referred to the story. I read it to my second graders this year, and they too loved the story. I recommend this book because it can be used with many age groups and is truly a moral story.
This story is perfect for children of all ages. It shows the effects that teasing has on innocent students, a lesson important for all children. The book is written such that students as young as kindergarteners will enjoy the story. The repetitive language engages students and allows them to take part in the story telling process. This story is sure to become a household favorite as it is a fun story with a perfect ending.
Recommendation for Other Teachers:
Chrysanthemum is sure to engage all students, especially in grades K-3. Kevin Henkes' illustrations aid English Learners' understandings of the story. This book can be used simply for an enjoyable read-aloud, or to address classroom issues that arise. I highly recommend it as a must read to early elementary students.
Personal Note:
Chrysanthemum has been a family favorite since I was young. My mother read it to my sisters and I countless times. The first time I used this as a read-aloud was when I worked with kindergarteners this past summer. They loved the story and insisted on it being read to them over and over. They loved the language and they story, and when any teasing incidents arose within the group, we referred to the story. I read it to my second graders this year, and they too loved the story. I recommend this book because it can be used with many age groups and is truly a moral story.
Title: The Name Jar
Author/Illustrator: Yangsook Choi
Publication Date: July 2001
Publisher: Knopf Books for Young Readers
Summary:
Unhei is a young Korean girl who, upon moving to America, is nervous that the American kids won't like her. While riding on the bus on her first day of school, she introduces herself to the students on the bus. They make fun of, and can not pronounce her name. When she reaches her classroom, instead of introducing herself to her new classmates, she tells them that she will choose a name by the following week. Her classmates create a name jar that consists of a glass jar in which they have put names on pieces of paper. They hope that this will help her choose a name. As Unehi considers more American names, one of her classmates discovers her real name and its special meaning. The day she is supposed to choose a new name, she arrives at school to find the name jar absent from its usual spot on her desk. The boy who discovered her Korean name encourages her to choose her real name. She decides to do so, and Unhei then teaches the class how to pronounce it.
Author/Illustrator: Yangsook Choi
Publication Date: July 2001
Publisher: Knopf Books for Young Readers
Summary:
Unhei is a young Korean girl who, upon moving to America, is nervous that the American kids won't like her. While riding on the bus on her first day of school, she introduces herself to the students on the bus. They make fun of, and can not pronounce her name. When she reaches her classroom, instead of introducing herself to her new classmates, she tells them that she will choose a name by the following week. Her classmates create a name jar that consists of a glass jar in which they have put names on pieces of paper. They hope that this will help her choose a name. As Unehi considers more American names, one of her classmates discovers her real name and its special meaning. The day she is supposed to choose a new name, she arrives at school to find the name jar absent from its usual spot on her desk. The boy who discovered her Korean name encourages her to choose her real name. She decides to do so, and Unhei then teaches the class how to pronounce it.
Recommendation for Parents:
This sotry places significant emphasis on family and culture. It not only shows the effects of teasing other children, but it also provides an opportunity for children to value their own names and what they mean to them. The illustrations are captivating and the language is appropriate for a wide age-range of children.
Recommendation for Other Teachers:
The Name Jar is a perfect book to use when discussing families, backgrounds, and cultures. It provides a gateway for students to discuss similar experiences during which they have been made fun of for their name or have wanted to change their names. The illustrations help to scaffold this somewhat lengthily book for English Learners. I recommend centering instruction around this book as a read-aloud, but due to the versatiulity of the book, there are countless ways to integrate the story into your teaching.
Personal Note:
Over the past few years, through my work with English Language Learners, I have noticed some trends. My English Language Learners have often changed their names to more Americanized names. At times, they are called by their original names at home or by certain peers, but sometimes they are not. I am of the opinion that your name is an extremely important part of you. I feel that when students give up their names, they are giving up a part of themselves. I believe it is important to emphasize the role of culture in my students' lives. I want them to value their culture, name, and family. This story provides an opportunity to discuss these ideas with my students. For these reasons, I highly recommend this book.
This sotry places significant emphasis on family and culture. It not only shows the effects of teasing other children, but it also provides an opportunity for children to value their own names and what they mean to them. The illustrations are captivating and the language is appropriate for a wide age-range of children.
Recommendation for Other Teachers:
The Name Jar is a perfect book to use when discussing families, backgrounds, and cultures. It provides a gateway for students to discuss similar experiences during which they have been made fun of for their name or have wanted to change their names. The illustrations help to scaffold this somewhat lengthily book for English Learners. I recommend centering instruction around this book as a read-aloud, but due to the versatiulity of the book, there are countless ways to integrate the story into your teaching.
Personal Note:
Over the past few years, through my work with English Language Learners, I have noticed some trends. My English Language Learners have often changed their names to more Americanized names. At times, they are called by their original names at home or by certain peers, but sometimes they are not. I am of the opinion that your name is an extremely important part of you. I feel that when students give up their names, they are giving up a part of themselves. I believe it is important to emphasize the role of culture in my students' lives. I want them to value their culture, name, and family. This story provides an opportunity to discuss these ideas with my students. For these reasons, I highly recommend this book.
