cover image A Million Chameleons

A Million Chameleons

James Young. Little Brown and Company, $11.95 (1pp) ISBN 978-0-316-97129-4

A host of irresistible, pint-size creatures sweep the reader along on a colorful romp through their day. The frivolity begins as one ``little chameleon all in vermilion / Danced alone in a garden pavilion.'' He is quickly joined by a million companions, who frolic so much that they soon turn green--and take a quantum leap onto a submarine. Succeeding spreads show the carefree chameleons turning pink at a skating rink, blue at the zoo, yellow ``when the beasts began to bellow,'' brown on the merry-go-round and white ``while dancing in the pale moonlight.'' Finally, all tired out after their adventures, ``multicolored, in a tumbled heap, / A million chameleons fell fast asleep.'' Children on the high end of the suggested age group may find the reading level a bit elementary, but readers of all ages will be charmed. The vivid colors, appealing illustrations and rhyming text which deftly captures the joyous mood make this book as much fun as a day at the carnival. Ages 4-8. (Oct.)