28 months - O liked this one and it received many reads before going back to the library. ( )

This book reminded me so much of myself because I have always felt like the odd one out by the way I dress. I have never liked to wear pants growing up so I have always been in skirts and dresses, I love to be over dressed. I always stood out but I did not mind it at all. However; Chamelia was made fun of in the story because some of her outfits did not work out like her high heels for soccer or her queen of Egypt costume for the Goldilocks Play. She felt more left out and lonely the more she tried to fit in with everyone so her parents encouraged her to try to stand out in different ways. They told her 'Joining in can be just as fun and you can be yourself at the same time.' So Chamelia started to add small things to her outfit to give it her own special touch. Overall you do have to do something huge and completely opposite the crowd to get noticed you can be yourself and that is the most important thing you can do to stand out.

My favorite thing about this story was in each of the illustrations, because they were chameleons, Chamelia would be a different color then the rest of her friends or peers around her. She was already standing without even realizing it. While all of her friends would be shades of green she would be a bright teal. It further showed the reader that everyone is different in their own way and they are each very special. ( )

Charming, colorful story about individuality. ( )

“Most chameleons like to blend in.
But not Chamelia.”

Chamelia is different. And it is especially difficult to be a chameleon who likes to be different. Sometimes, instead of standing out, Chamelia feels left out. With her parents’ encouragement, Chamelia finds a way to both stand out and blend in. ( )

Chamelia does not like to blend in. In fact, she does everything in her power to stand out, from shouting rather than singing to dressing wildly. This becomes a problem, and her parents convince her that blending in can be good sometimes too. Finally she figures out how to blend in and stand out at the same time. Mostly pastel illustrations add additional action that the text omits and dissipates the slightly preachy tone of the text. Recommended for public and early elementary libraries. Ages 6-8. ( )