Review by School Library Journal Review
PreS-Gr 1-Leon is a bright orange chameleon who cannot change colors like other chameleons. He is a little self-conscious about this and feels bad that he doesn't quite fit in. Leon goes in search of a place where he can blend in and ultimately meets his match. This interactive picture book for young children is entertaining and informative, without going into much detail about the life of chameleons. Kids will learn that chameleons change colors to match their environment. Questions on some pages encourage readers to respond to the text and offer suggestions to help Leon along his journey. The book is great for identifying colors and even a few landforms. The full-page, digitally created illustrations are delightfully colorful, with Leon's fluorescent orange color emphasizing just how much he stands out. VERDICT A simple look at nature and searching for one's place in the world. A colorful addition to most collections.-Amy Shepherd, St. Anne's Episcopal School, Middleton, DE © Copyright 2018. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Horn Book Review
Unlike the other chameleons, Leon can't seem to change color to match his surroundings. Readers are interactively encouraged to count, whisper, smile, and more as neon-orange Leon searches for an environment (green jungle? yellow desert?) in which his brilliant glow will fit. Teckentrup's bold digital illustrations play with variations in shade and texture, demonstrating the many ways an animal can blend in--or not, in Leon's case. (c) Copyright 2019. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Kirkus Book Review
The title might lead readers to believewith justificationthat this is a blindingly colorful picture book, but it's all the more surprising because Leon is a chameleon! Leon ought to be able to blend into earthy environmentsgreen leafy jungle; yellow sandy desert; gray rocky mountainsbut he can't. He's brilliant Day-Glo orange. Children will relate: Everyone's had uncomfortable moments when they feel as though they stick out and don't belong. Playful textual prompts invite them to participate in solving Leon's dilemma. Whether by whispering encouraging words to Leon, practicing patience (by counting to 10) while Leon crawls across the page, or celebrating Leon's newfound friendship, readers will be completely invested in Leon's journey. Opportunities to learn colors and numbers abound. Best of all, empathetic preschoolers will realize through their interactions with Leon that sometimes, we just need a little time to find our people and our places in the world. This brilliant, heartwarming gem helps tots develop intellectually and emotionally, though some discussion might be needed to help concrete thinkers past the implication that simpatico companionship can be found with only those who look just like them.Interactive reading at its best. (Picture book. 3-5) Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
