Every animal has a color of its own. "Parrots are green, elephants are gray, pigs are pink." But chameleons change color wherever they go. "On lemons they are yellow. In the heather they are purple." One chameleon is not pleased with his changeable appearance. He thinks, "If I remain on a leaf, I shall be green forever, and so I too will have a color of my own." Of course, what he doesn't take into account is the changes wrought by autumn, and soon the green chameleon is yellow, then red, and then tumbled to the ground for the long black winter night. It isn't until he befriends another older, wiser chameleon that our hero begins to find inner peace, even as his outer surface is transformed again and again.

Leo Lionni, children's book creator extraordinaire, author of such beloved picture books as Frederick, Alexander and the Wind-Up Mouse, Swimmy, and Inch by Inch, all Caldecott Honor winners, introduces color concepts in an exquisite and touching story. This small board book edition of the classic tale of self-acceptance and friendship will be a favorite for toddlers and parents alike. (Baby to preschool) --Emilie Coulter


Book Description
The charming story of a chameleon searching for his own color, who ends up finding a true friend.


Card catalog description
A little chameleon is distressed that he doesn't have his own color like other animals.


From the Inside Flap
The charming story of a chameleon searching for his own color, who ends up finding a true friend.

Elephants are gray. Pigs are pink. Only the chameleon has no color of his own. He is purple like the heather, yellow like a lemon, even black and orange striped like a tiger! Then one day a chameleon has an idea to remain one color forever by staying on the greenest leaf he can find. But in the autumn, the leaf changes from green to yellow to red . . . and so does the chameleon. When another chameleon suggests they travel together, he learns that companionship is more important than having a color of his own. No matter where he goes with his new friend, they will always be alike.




About the Author
Leo Lionni wrote and illustrated more than 40 highly acclaimed children's books. He received the 1984 American Institute of Graphic Arts Gold Medal and was a four-time Caldecott Honor winner—for Inch by Inch, Frederick, Swimmy, and Alexander and the Wind-Up Mouse. Leo Lionni died in October of 1999 at his home in Tuscany, Italy.

FROM OUR EDITORS

Our Review
Author-illustrator Leo Lionni is well known for his use of colorful and imaginative watercolor storybooks. A Color of His Own, now in this convenient board book, does not disappoint. In the true style of a master storyteller, Lionni presents a very cute chameleon with a distressing problem. No matter how hard he tries, he can't seem to find his own color. He always seems to adapt to his surroundings, never sustaining a "signature" shade. Determined to be one color, he find a green leaf and stays there. But as the seasons change, so does the leaf, and so does the chameleon! When he befriends another chameleon, he realizes they will always be the same color if they stick together. This newfound friendship is far more meaningful than anything else.

Preschoolers will delight in the illustrations and fall in love with the adorable chameleon. Lionni uses very little prose in this story and manages to convey this wonderful message of love, friendship, and belonging in an enchanting fashion.

ANNOTATION

A little chameleon is distressed that he doesn't have his own color like other animals.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

The charming story of a chameleon searching for his own color, who ends up finding a true friend.Elephants are gray. Pigs are pink. Only the chameleon has no color of his own. He is purple like the heather, yellow like a lemon, even black and orange striped like a tiger! Then one day a chameleon has an idea to remain one color forever by staying on the greenest leaf he can find. But in the autumn, the leaf changes from green to yellow to red . . . and so does the chameleon. When another chameleon suggests they travel together, he learns that companionship is more important than having a color of his own. No matter where he goes with his new friend, they will always be alike.

FROM THE CRITICS

Publishers Weekly