The Mixed-Up Chameleon by: Eric Carle

Ages: Preschool – Grade 3

The Mixed-Up Chameleon begins with a chameleon who changes color according to the things he is standing on. He believes that his life is quite boring, until one day he sees a zoo. He is amazed by all the beautiful animals. The chameleon beings wishing he could be like the animals he sees. All of his wishes come true, and he is a mixture of several animals. However, he is not happy. The chameleon wishes he could be himself again. Will his wish come true? Find out in The Mixed-Up Chameleon.

The Mixed-Up Chameleon is a wonderful children’s book. There is more text in this book than some of Eric Carle’s other children’s books. The colorful illustrations go along with the text great. The illustrations are simple with bright colors on each page. On each page after the chameleon sees the zoo, there is a cutout tab on the left, showing the animal that is featured on that page. On the right, the cutout tab shows the color that is featured on that page. This is a great feature to the book, and helps children remember what animals the chameleon has been and what colors the chameleon has been. The chameleon adds a feature from each animal presented in the book, until he is made of up of an array of animal features. This book is great for teaching children animals and colors. It also allows children to use their imagination. The book teaches children that they should not wish to be someone else. People should be happy with who they are and what they look like. The chameleon in the book realized that being like someone else does not make him happier, and that he would rather be his normal self. The book also teaches children the importance of being different. Every person is different and unique in his or her own way. The Mixed-Up Chameleon is a fun and educational book that children will love!