Neon Leon

Neon Leon is a chameleon who doesn’t seem to be able to change from a bright orange.  (It’s bright, but not glow in the dark). The other chameleons move about, changing colour to blend in, and we are asked what we think might happen when they, for instance, go to the sandy desert, and to tell Leon what colour he should be in the grey rocky mountains. Then we have to say it louder…We say ‘Goodnight’ Leon’, and turn the page softly, but Leon is so bright that he keeps the other chameleons awake. They get very grumpy and Leon sadly walks away- and finds some bright orange flamingos, with whom he blends in perfectly, until they fly away.  He spots something over in the corner of the page, and walks very slowly (we count to 10 across the page) to a place where there are bright orange flowers, and, can we guess? Yes, a bright orange friend.

With lots of opportunities for audience participation, this will be good to share or to read aloud. Britta Teckentrup’s stylized animals and backgrounds work well with this simple story. Jane Clarke is also very experienced, and this partnership is evidently successful. The book will be fun for very young children.