Carlos the Chameleon

A Story to Help Empower Children to Be Themselves

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Pub Date 21 Mar 2018 | Archive Date 21 Mar 2018

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Description

As a chameleon, it's in Carlos' nature to change his colours in order to fit into his surroundings. Carlos is usually green, but can turn pink to join the flamingos, blue to match the frogs, and spotty to resemble the jaguars. When the other animals find out that Carlos has been changing his colours in order to fit in, they reassure him that his own colour is beautiful and that he doesn't need to change who he is to be accepted and loved by his friends.

Part of the Truth & Tails series, which aims to eliminate prejudices and encourage acceptance in young children aged 4-8, the story of Carlos and his friends is accompanied by hand-drawn, watercolour illustrations.

As a chameleon, it's in Carlos' nature to change his colours in order to fit into his surroundings. Carlos is usually green, but can turn pink to join the flamingos, blue to match the frogs, and...


Available Editions

EDITION Other Format
ISBN 9781785924538
PRICE £9.99 (GBP)
PAGES 40

Average rating from 11 members


Featured Reviews

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.

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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

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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.

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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.

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

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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.

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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.

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“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.

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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.

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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.

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