Carlos the Chameleon

While this children's book may attempt to promote acceptance of all colours with animals, its message masks the well documented exploitation of every other skin colour of people by one.

I really enjoyed this book, it has a great message for children and some lovely images. It is easy to follow and will keep children's attention and personally I think this message of acceptance needs to be taught at a young age - 5 stars

This book is part of the Truth and Tails series, specifically regarding Being Themselves. Carlos the chameleon has many friends that he does things with. Because he can change colour, he becomes the same colour as whatever friend he is association with. His friends find out what he is doing and reassure him that he is beautiful when he is green and he does not have to change for them. It is a simple message with simple text and bright colourful pictures. Once again the message of accepting others for who they are is also present in this story. Another nice addition to a character building library.

The lesson in this book is that you should be yourself. Carlos makes friends by trying to be the other animals. He changes his color to match those around him. Part of me likes the book, but part of me doesn’t. On the surface the story works, is cute, and makes its point. But at the same time, if it was told with animals instead of people, it would be disastrous. It’s about a character changing his skin. He changes his skin to fit in. And while he learns to be himself, I think the message at the beginning might play harder than it originally feels. Carlos made his friends to begin with by looking like them. I think maybe add a character who doesn’t look like Carlos, that Carlos makes friends with by being himself needs to be in here somewhere.

My kids love this book so much! Beautiful book! Would definitely recommend it.

Another well thought out title from the publishers, Jessica Kingsley Publishers. This one follows Carlos' attempts to "fit in" with other groups of friends and discovering in the end that they all like him for who is really is. Nicely illustrated, the language is more targeted at a younger audience and with notes and resources for teachers and parents. This book would work well in primary or first school and with homeschooling.

This book is part of the "Truth and Tales" series whose goal is to eradicate prejudices and encourage acceptance of others. Carlos is a beautiful emerald green chameleon and can magically turn different colours depending on his surroundings and who he is with. He has a variety of friends which constantly challenges his transformations. When he is with them he turns exactly the same colour to blend into their group. Why in the world would he want do that?

You see, Carlos is very insecure about himself and his self-worth is very low. He's afraid if he is not like his peers they will reject him and not be his friend any more. Oh my! That's so sad but his reality.

He turns hot pink when he's with the flamingos, bright blue with his frog buddies, and orange with black spots when it's playtime with the jaguar pack. He yearns so much to fit in and be just like them. He thinks being the same is key to making their friendships work.

One day the animals discover his real colour. My goodness he is a lovely emerald green. Because they are his true friends they assure him that he is gorgeous just the way he is and please don't change colour on their behalf. Carlos is very relieved to learn that it's not about his outward appearance at all, but about his loving warm heart inside of him... that's why his friends want him to hang out ad play with him. Carlos is now one happy and contented chameleon. The truth has set him free so he can be true to himself and remain who he is..... a caring, kind, beautiful, emerald green chameleon!

The book has bold, vibrant illustrations that kid's will love. It has extra notes and resources for teachers and parents to utilize also. This is a very important message that will teach kids that they are unique and can celebrate exactly who they were created to be.

Carlos is a chameleon that is naturally a beautiful green color when he is himself. But, Carlos is worried about fitting in. He changes his color to fit in with the friends he is hanging out with; turning pink when he swims with the flamingos, blue when hopping with the frogs, and yellow with spots when he sunbathes with the jaguars. One day, while Carlos is swimming with the flamingos, he is discovered looking like a different color by his other friends. It is discovered that his friends don't even know what his true color he really is, and he finally shows his true, beautiful green color. Carlos discovers that his friends want to be friends with him because of who he is on the inside and not necessarily what he looks like on the outside.
"Carlos the Chameleon" is a story in the "Truth and Tails" Series by Alice Reeves. This wonderful series teaches children how to appreciate and love themselves just the way they are. One thing I really like about this series is the pages at the end of the book(s) that help parents and teachers make the most of the story, by including conversation questions, so children get the most out of the lesson! In this particular book, there are questions for before, during, and after the story is read, helping keep children engaged throughout the story. This book would be a great addition to any home or classroom library!
Thank you NetGalley and Jessica Kingsley Publishers for the opportunity to read and review this wonderful story prior to publication in exchange for an honest review.

“Carlos the Chameleon” does accomplish its goal of encouraging people to be themselves. However, there is a scientific reason that chameleons change color, and that wasn’t mentioned or explored at all, which I found unfortunate.

This book needs to be in all 4 year old, plus children’s classrooms and homes. I am in awe of this story. The illustrations are amazing, too. So many children struggle with fitting in or treating others with jkindness from such an early age that this is a great book to start them thinking about it. Carlos and his jungle friends will teach your child how to empower them to be strong with themselves, I was very impressed.

Carlos the Chameleon A Story to Help Empower Children to Be Themselves by Alice Reeves is part of the Truth and Tales series whose goal is to eradicate prejudices and encourage acceptance of others. Carlos is a beautiful emerald green chameleon and can magically turn different colours depending on his surroundings and who he is with. He has a variety of friends which constantly challenges his transformations. When he is with them he turns exactly the same colour to blend into their group.

Carlos is very insecure about himself and his self-worth is very low. He's afraid if he is not like his peers they will reject him and not be his friend any more. He turns hot pink when he's with the flamingos, bright blue with his frog buddies, and orange with black spots when it's playtime with the jaguar pack. He yearns so much to fit in and be just like them. He thinks being the same is key to making their friendships work.

One day the animals discover his real color, which is a lovely emerald green. Since they are his true friends they assure him that he is gorgeous. Carlos is relieved to learn that it's not about his outward appearance at all, but about his loving warm heart inside of him.

This book has extra notes and resources for teachers and parents to utilize. This is a very important message that will teach kids that they are unique and can celebrate exactly who they were created to be.

I give this book 4/5 stars. I received an ARC from the publisher,Jessica Kingsley Publishers, via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.