A Color of His Own

This is a simple book that halfway teaches colours while telling the story of a sad chameleon who wants to be himself rather than all the shades of the world around him. While this isn't how chameleons work in real life, it's aimed at very small children who wouldn't understand the science behind the animal anyway. Also, I find the solution - encountering another chameleon with whom he can change colours together - very sweet and encouraging.

Though likely not intentional, this could be used as a metaphor for accepting one's own sexuality - useful, for example, for same sex parents to help counteract societal bigotry. It can also represent friendship: finding a person of similar personality or style to navigate the world with rather than being a loner. More food for thought than I expected from such a short children's book with very basic writing, so it's earning a high rating from me.

The art is also beautiful, but occasionally the colours represented don't completely match what they're called. Since I read the ebook from my library, which was poorly formatted, I'm not taking that into account for the rating. Maybe the images were too compressed or my phone's screen doesn't properly represent them.

This was a library book pick for the day and it was fun. Another one that has varying shades that confuses her for when it says yellow and the page is actually orange, but over all it's fun and interesting. A good pick for science introduction.

12/18/12

Tonight we read both A Color of His Own and Frederick on my Kindle though the library READS system. These are great as Kindle picture books. The font in Frederick is a bit small but otherwise it works great. Id buy it for it a decent price. Glad we have a physical copy of Frederick andwe might look for one of A Color of His Own, but then there is always the library for that one.

A great story on belonging, with stunning watercolor art.