Lionni's signature watercolors span the rainbow in this story of a chameleon who, while searching for his identity, finds a friend with whom he can share his changeable nature. Ages 3-5. (Sept.) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved

A chameleon is dissatisfied that he does not have an identifying color--until he meets another chameleon and they decide to change colors together. This board book edition is smaller than the original picture book but is otherwise unchanged. Both the color concept and Lionni's art are perfect for the audience. From HORN BOOK Fall 2001, (c) Copyright 2010. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

You'd think the chameleon's ability to change his hue would afford a splendid chance for a dazzling Lionni display, and even his engaging little story--of one particular chameleon who longs for a color of his own--seems designed as a backdrop. But the flamboyant Lionni is not to be seen here, and the stylized simplicity that distinguished this artist at his earlier best verges here on rubber-stamp monotony. Too, his young audience will have a right to question the words ""on lemons they are yellow"" below a picture of the creature perched on a fruit that, from its color, looks more like a lime. Of course Lionni's hero does go through some nifty changes, including polka dots and tiger stripes, and it's nice to see him matched with another at the end: ""We will still change color wherever we go, but you and I will always be alike."" Alike yes--but nothing like Frederick, Swimmy, or Little Yellow. Copyright ©Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.