Meet Chamelia! Chamelia is a chameleon. Most chameleons like to blend in, but Chamelia prefers to stand out. She just loves being the center of attention. But when standing out means being left out, can Chamelia learn to share the spotlight?
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About the Author
Ethan Long is the author of the Tickle the Duck! books, and has illustrated a number of other children's books. He based the character of Chamelia on his wife; she likes to dress-up too. Ethan lives with his wife, three children, and many pets in Orlando. His website is www.ethanlong.com.
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4 of 5 people found the following review helpful
By Catherine
Format:Hardcover
This book was given to my daughter as a gift. When I started reading it to her I thought, "this is great! A book about how being yourself and standing out is ok!"
Then we read a bit further to the part about how her outfits weren't quite right. And "wait" I thought "Is this an illustration of other kids pointing and laughing at the girl who stands out? Hmm. How will this be addressed?"
Well, lo! to my surprise, it was not. Chamelia's parents convince her to essentially stand out less and join in. Clearly Chamelia's wants to join in. But she isn't conforming to the other chamelian's expectations so she is laughed at and shunned and convinced by her parents that people will only like her if she only stands out a little bit.
Lame message. IMO.
Then we read a bit further to the part about how her outfits weren't quite right. And "wait" I thought "Is this an illustration of other kids pointing and laughing at the girl who stands out? Hmm. How will this be addressed?"
Well, lo! to my surprise, it was not. Chamelia's parents convince her to essentially stand out less and join in. Clearly Chamelia's wants to join in. But she isn't conforming to the other chamelian's expectations so she is laughed at and shunned and convinced by her parents that people will only like her if she only stands out a little bit.
Lame message. IMO.
2 of 3 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
DELIGHTFUL, WELL WRITTEN, WELL ILLUSTRATED, A GREAT GROUP READ AND A GOOD LESSON TO LEARN...What more could you want?
May 14, 2011
Format:Hardcover
I like children's books. They appeal to the eternal child in me which I cherish and hope I never loose. I read a lot of children's books simply because I enjoy them, (My wife still continually asks me what I want to be when I grow up), but also because they are a part of my current job.
Every so often I come across a work that simply pops out at me; sort of catches be off guard and simply put...delights me. This current offering by Ethan Long is one of those books! Wow, what a wonderful read for the younger set; those between the ages of four and six. (I note that the target age on the product page here tops out at eight...I personally feel that eight is pushing it a bit for this particular work). This book is truly a classy piece of work.
As the first couple of pages of this simply written story tells us: "Most chameleons like to blend in, but not Chamelia." Chamelia of course is a little girl chameleon and like a lot of children her age, she wants attention; wants to stand out from the pack. Our little lizard girl will try all kinds of ploys to do so, especially when it comes to dress and appearances. I suppose the best example of this is represented by the plate (and it is one that just cracked me up) that shows Chamelia in the school play in the part of Goldilocks and the three bears are quite startled to find or little girl dressed as Cleopatra lounging on Baby Bears bed. This is followed by a page showing that "And apparently sequins and soccer don't mix."
Ah, but Chamelia discovers to her great concern that often times "standing out" is not such a good thing and that this can cause rejection rather than acceptance...it all depends upon how it is done. She finds that strange dress, strange hair styles, odd behavior is not always the answer and that just joining in, being yourself and trying your best is often the most productive route to acceptance and happiness.
She finds that you can be yourself, be true to your creative self and be an individual and still join and have fun without being the absolute center of attention with some rather lame props.
This is a good message and children will pick up on the theme immediately. They will be able to identify themselves, if they have this problem, and identified their friends in this predicament also.
The text here is simple and the art work extremely colorful without being overwhelming. Due to the format, this is a great book for a group read as the illustration pop from the page with each turning. (The print font is large enough and bold enough to be able to read it up-side-down while holding the book up to the group...something that those who read to large gatherings of children will know is quite important and quite helpful). The illustrations are large and bold and there is enough color contrast to make them seeable even though some of them are quite complex.
The art and text are extremely well done. The binding and quality of the books is top of the line...it should hold up and take quite a beating over the years.
This is a good one folks...don't let it slip by.
Don Blankenship
The Ozarks
Every so often I come across a work that simply pops out at me; sort of catches be off guard and simply put...delights me. This current offering by Ethan Long is one of those books! Wow, what a wonderful read for the younger set; those between the ages of four and six. (I note that the target age on the product page here tops out at eight...I personally feel that eight is pushing it a bit for this particular work). This book is truly a classy piece of work.
As the first couple of pages of this simply written story tells us: "Most chameleons like to blend in, but not Chamelia." Chamelia of course is a little girl chameleon and like a lot of children her age, she wants attention; wants to stand out from the pack. Our little lizard girl will try all kinds of ploys to do so, especially when it comes to dress and appearances. I suppose the best example of this is represented by the plate (and it is one that just cracked me up) that shows Chamelia in the school play in the part of Goldilocks and the three bears are quite startled to find or little girl dressed as Cleopatra lounging on Baby Bears bed. This is followed by a page showing that "And apparently sequins and soccer don't mix."
Ah, but Chamelia discovers to her great concern that often times "standing out" is not such a good thing and that this can cause rejection rather than acceptance...it all depends upon how it is done. She finds that strange dress, strange hair styles, odd behavior is not always the answer and that just joining in, being yourself and trying your best is often the most productive route to acceptance and happiness.
She finds that you can be yourself, be true to your creative self and be an individual and still join and have fun without being the absolute center of attention with some rather lame props.
This is a good message and children will pick up on the theme immediately. They will be able to identify themselves, if they have this problem, and identified their friends in this predicament also.
The text here is simple and the art work extremely colorful without being overwhelming. Due to the format, this is a great book for a group read as the illustration pop from the page with each turning. (The print font is large enough and bold enough to be able to read it up-side-down while holding the book up to the group...something that those who read to large gatherings of children will know is quite important and quite helpful). The illustrations are large and bold and there is enough color contrast to make them seeable even though some of them are quite complex.
The art and text are extremely well done. The binding and quality of the books is top of the line...it should hold up and take quite a beating over the years.
This is a good one folks...don't let it slip by.
Don Blankenship
The Ozarks
Format:Hardcover
I picked up this book because I thought the art was cute. And it is. The hardcover and endpaper design is stunning, too. Ethan Long's cartoon, Tasty Time with ZeFronk is even a favorite in my household.
But I just can't get over the message of this book. Rather than consoling Chamelia when she's upset for feeling excluded, her parents encourage her to stop trying to stand out and join in. This is not the message I want to teach my child. In fact, this book won't even make it to my child's hands. It's going straight back to be exchanged for a book with a more positive moral.
So if you like aesthetically appealing kid's books, buy Chamelia, but if you have issues with encouraging your impressionable child to conform then pass on this one.
But I just can't get over the message of this book. Rather than consoling Chamelia when she's upset for feeling excluded, her parents encourage her to stop trying to stand out and join in. This is not the message I want to teach my child. In fact, this book won't even make it to my child's hands. It's going straight back to be exchanged for a book with a more positive moral.
So if you like aesthetically appealing kid's books, buy Chamelia, but if you have issues with encouraging your impressionable child to conform then pass on this one.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
darling book
This darling book arrived quickly and in new condition. It is for a granddaughter who just loves it. Bright pictures to keep a three year old's interest.
Published 13 months ago by marleyUT
4.0 out of 5 stars
Review from Books That Heal Kids
As a school counselor, I'm always on the lookout for "Be Yourself" books. This one had a little bit of a twist on it. Read more
Published 20 months ago by Books That Heal Kids
3.0 out of 5 stars
Be true to yourself with `Chamelia'
Chamelia is unlike any other chameleon. Instead of blending in, she likes to stand out. She loves being the center of attention, and dresses to impress. Read more
Published 23 months ago by Jessica at Cracking the Cover
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