Colin the chameleon

Even though he can't change colors like the rest of his family, a young chameleon learns that he has other innate gifts.His brothers and sisters blend easily into the forest by changing colors, but Colin's burnished red never changes. The other chameleons decide that it's not safe to be near him, so he travels alone and friendless. While they hunt for insects and leaves to eat, Colin hides all day under a branch. The juiciest insects are across the road, but no chameleon dares make that crossing, because it isn't safe--the tire prints and tiny bones make that clear. One day, Colin is leaning too far from his branch and falls--right into the middle of the road. A driver sees him right away and yells, "Stop!" and cars traveling in both directions do just that. Waving a leaf, Colin calls all the other chameleons to cross the road with him, and they parade across to a juicy reward. Now, that part of the road is known as the chameleon crossing, and Colin is a hero. Each two-page spread in Quarry's gentle story is also an opportunity for little readers to find the chameleons. Her illustrations, which look like prints, employ multiple shades of green, brown, and yellow to great effect; bright Colin stands out! Simple and sweet. (Picture book. 3-5)