The story follows a small green chameleon who discovers a zoo and becomes dissatisfied with its simple life of changing colors to match its surroundings. As it encounters various animals, the chameleon wishes to possess their unique physical traits. With each wish, it physically transforms, gaining a flamingo’s wings, a fox’s bushy tail, a deer’s antlers, and an elephant’s trunk. Eventually, the creature becomes a chaotic tangle of mismatched body parts. When a fly passes by, the chameleon realizes it can no longer hunt effectively in this distorted form, leading it to wish for its original shape back.
Parents and educators read this board book to toddlers and preschoolers to teach animal identification and the names of primary colors. The bright, hand-painted collage illustrations help children visualize how different anatomical features function. Readers walk away with a basic understanding of self-acceptance and the practical value of one's natural abilities. The repetitive structure and visual humor keep young children engaged while they learn that trying to be everything at once often results in losing what makes an individual functional and unique.
Practical, outward-looking, growth-minded, clear-cut and escapist; an easy read.
Best for readers like The Practical Optimizer. Which reader are you?
- Published
- 1975
- Language
- EN
