Chameleon's Colors

Chameleon’s Colors

Written and Illustrated By: Chisato Tashiro

Translated By: Marianne Martens

North South Books, Inc, 2003

27 Pages

Picture Book

 

     I decided to pick this book, because I thought it would be a great book to use to teach colors.  It is about a chameleon that does not like being able to change colors; it makes it hard for people to see him when he blends in with his surroundings.  Chameleon explains this to hippo when he almost steps on him. But, Hippo does not understand why he chameleon doesn’t like changing colors.  He is tired of being the same color every day and wishes that he could change colors just like chameleon does.  So, the chameleon comes up with a plan.  He makes squishes some pink flowers and paints Hippo with the juice.   Then, Chameleon decides to make more colors for the other animals.  Chameleon tells the animals, and they agree with his plan, also.  Chameleon begins painting them in all different colors and styles.  Before long, Chameleon has colored all of the animals of the forest.  But, the animals have a problem.  Because of their color changes, they cannot determine their prey or hide.  They are furious at chameleon and go to find him.  They try to push him off a cliff, but Chameleon uses his defense and blends into his surroundings.  And then it begins to rain.  The colors start to fade off of the animals.  The animal’s problems are now over!

     The illustrations in this book are wonderful.  They are done in acrylic paint.  It looks like the artist had them sketched and then painted them; they are extremely detailed.  I love this style of painting and how bright and cheerful the colors are.  The way the artist portrays these colors so vibrantly definitely helps emphasize how colorful and different the animals looked.  The illustrator did a great job of showing how difficult it was for the animals to distinguish one another.  She did this by putting the animals close together so that their colors all blend together.  I love the pictures in this book!

     I would use this book mainly to teach colors in kindergarten.  I would have a chameleon color worksheet for them to decorate.  Another use for this book is to teach a lesson on how everybody is different.  This book portrays friendship as well and could be used to teach companionship.  It could also be used in grades three or four in teaching a science lesson about animal’s defense mechanisms and how diversity in nature is important; I would give them writing prompt about what kind of defense mechanism they would want if they were an animal.  They could also draw a picture of their animal.  Even though the book could be used for lessons in higher grades, I feel as though it is most appropriate for kindergarten to second grade.