Chameleons Are Cool: Read and Wonder
Gr 1-3--With infectious enthusiasm, a boy explains his fascination with chameleons by describing their unique physical and behavioral characteristics. Vivid ink-and-watercolor paintings realistically depict a variety of the strange-looking lizards; each double-page spread shows one or more kinds. Miscellaneous facts are also included in small-print sentences that curve under or over the illustrations. The tone of the first-person narration doesn't get in the way of the information presented, with the minor exception of a section describing chameleons as "grumpy." While this title does not attempt to be a comprehensive introduction, some basic material is missing. Specifically, the text does not mention the lizard's tail, which in most species is prehensile and aids in gripping branches. Additionally, most of the species depicted are not identified. Despite these minor flaws, this book will serve as a companion volume to the more thorough introductions aimed at slightly older readers, such as James Martin's Chameleons (Crown, 1991) or Claudia Schnieper's Chameleons (Carolrhoda, 1989).Karey Wehner, San Francisco Public LibraryCopyright 1998 Cahners Business Information, Inc.--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.