Chrysanthemum: questions to ask and activities to try
Chrysanthemum the mouse loves her name, until the children at school laugh at it. A gentle classic about teasing, starting school and feeling proud of who you are.
What age is Chrysanthemum for?
Chrysanthemum is best for ages 4–7.
Chrysanthemum (Kevin Henkes)
- Age
- 4-7
- Best for
- Teasing about names, and feeling proud of who you are
Only 50pChrysanthemum activity sheet3 printable pages: questions to talk about, a drawing and writing page, and notes for the grown-up. Instant PDF.
Just want the questions? Get the free question card ↓
Notice how Chrysanthemum wilts and blooms like a flower as the story goes on. Ask how her face and body change when she is teased, and when she feels proud again.
Is this book right for your child?
- Age
- 4–7 (Reception to Year 2)
- What they'll enjoy
- Chrysanthemum the mouse loves her name, until the children at school laugh at it. A gentle classic about teasing, starting school and feeling proud of who you are.
- Helps with
- Teasing about names, and feeling proud of who you are
- Buy or borrow?
- Borrow it from the library first if you can. If your child asks for it again and again, it’s one worth owning, and the questions and activities on this page work best with the book open next to you.
What it helps with
- Teasing and unkind words
- Starting school
- Feeling proud of your name
- Standing by someone who is teased
Comprehension and discussion questions for Chrysanthemum
Pick two or three, not all of them. “I don’t know” is a fine answer, and you can always come back to it another day.
- “Why did Chrysanthemum love her name?”
- “What did the other children say about it?”
- “How did she feel when they laughed?”
- “What did the music teacher do that changed everything?”
- “What does your name mean, or why was it chosen?”
- “What could you say if someone was being teased?”
For the full list of questions and more, download the PDF below.
Print these questions: free question card for Chrysanthemum
All 6 questions for Chrysanthemum on one printable page, each marked with the reading skill it practises. Enter your email and download it straight away.
Free. We’ll only email you if you tick the box.
5-minute activities to try together
Name flower
Write your child’s name in the middle of a paper flower. On each petal, write something they like about themselves.
Name story
Tell your child the story of how you chose their name. Then ask them to tell you one name they love and why.
Chrysanthemum activity sheet: printable worksheet and questions
All the questions and activities above on a ready-to-print activity sheet: questions tagged by reading skill with space to answer, a drawing and writing page with a self-check, and notes for the adult with curriculum links and a 20-minute session plan. Pay by card, PayPal or Payhip and download straight away.
- Page 1, talk about it: questions about the story, each tagged with the reading skill it practises, with space to answer or tick
- Page 2, my favourite part: a drawing box, a sentence starter and a “how did I do?” self-check
- Page 3, notes for the adult: curriculum links, a 20-minute session plan, extension activities, and support and challenge ideas
- Read it togetherEnjoy the story first.
- Ask 2 or 3 questionsFrom the list above, while everyone is calm.
- Print the activity sheetAn activity sheet with questions, a drawing page and notes for you.
Confidence & Not Giving Up bundle15 activity sheets for books on the same themeThe 15 books:The Lion InsideGiraffes Can’t DancePerfectly NormanThe Snail and the WhaleSugarlump and the UnicornThe Ugly FiveThe DotElmerThe Tiny SeedSupertatoA Brave BearAlfie Gets in FirstAstro GirlAvocado BabyBlackbird, Blackbird, What Do You Do?£4.99 3 sheets for £1.25Chrysanthemum + The Lion Inside + Giraffes Can’t DanceThe 3 books:ChrysanthemumThe Lion InsideGiraffes Can’t Dance£1.25 Pick your own books: build a bundle with this one, up to 15% off →
Priced low on purpose. Every purchase helps keep the book guides, questions and the game free for everyone.
No PayPal account needed. Your download starts straight away. By buying, you agree to this and give up the 14-day right to cancel. Faulty or missing files are always replaced or refunded. Refunds
Use it as a lesson plan
Children can listen to Chrysanthemum, answer questions about it and give a reason for their ideas, and talk about teasing and unkind words.
A 20-minute session for ages 4–7 (Reception to Year 2), for a class, a small group or one child at home.
- Warm up (2 minutes). Show the cover and read the title. Ask: “What do you think this story will be about?”
- Read aloud (6 minutes). Read it all the way through. Tip: Notice how Chrysanthemum wilts and blooms like a flower as the story goes on. Ask how her face and body change when she is teased, and when she feels proud again.
- Talk about it (4 minutes). Pick two or three of the comprehension and discussion questions above. “Why did Chrysanthemum love her name?” works well to start.
- Activity (6 minutes). Do Name flower. Write your child’s name in the middle of a paper flower. On each petal, write something they like about themselves. Children who finish early can try Name story.
- Wrap up (2 minutes). Ask each child for one thing they will remember from the story, and why.
Want to go further? The Chrysanthemum activity sheet has these questions with space to answer, a drawing and writing page, and notes for the adult.
If your child liked this, try
Giraffes Can’t Dance (Giles Andreae)
- Best for
- A child who measures themselves against what other children can do
- Age
- 4-7
The Paper Bag Princess (Robert Munsch and Michael Martchenko)
- Best for
- A clever princess who rescues the prince
- Age
- 4-7
Perfectly Norman (Tom Percival)
- Best for
- A child who hides something about themselves to fit in
- Age
- 4-7
Search all our books by what's happening →
By the Growing Wise team · Last reviewed: 25 October 2026
Growing Wise offers educational ideas for parents and carers. It is not a substitute for professional medical, developmental or mental-health advice. As an Amazon Associate, Growing Wise earns from qualifying purchases.