Chameleons Are Cool (Turtleback School & Library Binding Edition) [School & Library Binding]

Martin Jenkins (Author), Sue Shields (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 4 and up | Grade Level: P and up

THIS EDITION IS INTENDED FOR USE IN SCHOOLS AND LIBRARIES ONLY. Describes different kinds of chameleons, examining their physical features, their behavior, and their ability to change color.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Gr 1-3--With infectious enthusiasm, a boy explains his fascination with chameleons by describing their unique physical and behavioral characteristics. Vivid ink-and-watercolor paintings realistically depict a variety of the strange-looking lizards; each double-page spread shows one or more kinds. Miscellaneous facts are also included in small-print sentences that curve under or over the illustrations. The tone of the first-person narration doesn't get in the way of the information presented, with the minor exception of a section describing chameleons as "grumpy." While this title does not attempt to be a comprehensive introduction, some basic material is missing. Specifically, the text does not mention the lizard's tail, which in most species is prehensile and aids in gripping branches. Additionally, most of the species depicted are not identified. Despite these minor flaws, this book will serve as a companion volume to the more thorough introductions aimed at slightly older readers, such as James Martin's Chameleons (Crown, 1991) or Claudia Schnieper's Chameleons (Carolrhoda, 1989).

Karey Wehner, San Francisco Public Library

Copyright 1998 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

About the Author

Martin Jenkins first saw chameleons in Madagascar and, he says, "fell in love with them at first sight. I picked one up, ever so gently, and it promptly bit me on the thumb. I still think they are wonderful, but tend to leave them alone whenever I bump into them."


Sue Shields had to develop a new way of painting for Chameleons Are Cool, "to try to describe not only the chameleons‘ astonishing colors, but also the hint of the colors they can change into." --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4 and up
  
• School & Library Binding: 29 pages
• Publisher: Turtleback (May 1, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 061335916X
• ISBN-13: 978-0613359160
• Product Dimensions: 10.1 x 9.2 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #5,189,220 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars "Chameleons Are Cool" is COOL!, June 13, 2000

By 

Volkert Volkersz (Snohomish, WA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Chameleons Are Cool: Read and Wonder (Hardcover)

In our elementary school library, not many non-fiction books make it as successful read-aloud books. This is one of them.

Primary age students beg for this title. Both the brightly colored, humorous illistrations and the light conversational tone of the text grab the interest of the children. I'm continually amazed at how many facts about chameleons are slipped into this cheerful picture book, like "they change color when they're angry, or when they're too cold or too hot, or when they're sick."

Many pages have additional facts worked into the illustrations, such as "Chameleons usually get sick and die of kept as pets."

This book is to be recommended not only as a great read-aloud, but as a good source of information for students doing a report on chameleons. It even has a helpful index.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Did You Know....., April 1, 2001

By 

Roz Levine - See all my reviews

This review is from: Chameleons Are Cool: Read and Wonder (Hardcover)

Did you know that there are around 120 different kinds of chameleons, that their eyes move separately and their very long tongues have a sticky tip at the end? Did you know that chameleons are lizards, that some are the size of small cats and that they change colors when they're angry or too hot or cold or sick...but not to match their surroundings? Martin Jenkins loves chameleons and his enthusiasm is infectious. He's authored a marvelous book full of fun and interesting facts that's perfect for all young nature lovers. His enjoyable, conversational text is complimented by Sue Shields colorful, expressive artwork, that will mesmerize youngsters with its close-up attention to detail. Written for kids 5-9, Chameleons are Cool is a winner!

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Pretty Good, November 19, 2010

By 

Modern Dayhippy "moderndayhippy" (US) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Chameleons Are Cool: Read and Wonder (Paperback)

My son really enjoys this book. I find it to contain some great facts about chameleons, but yet it isn't a really long book. Just right for boys age 5-8 who may have a shorter attention span, but who like to learn about animals.