لئون نارنجی

by Jane Clarke, مهرنوش پارسانژاد (Translator)

لئون یک آفتاب‌پرست نارنجی‌رنگ است که برخلاف بقیه‌ی آفتاب‌پرست‌‌ها، نمی‌تواند همرنگ محیط شود! برای همین خیلی ناراحت است. او حتی شب‌ها هم نورانی است و نمی‌گذارد باقی آفتاب‌پرست‌‌ها بخوابند.

Genres: Picture Books, Animals, Storytime, Childrens, Friendship, Fiction, Nature

26 pages, Paperback

Published January 1, 2018

About the author

See also pseudonym Hayley Daze.

Jane was born 17 December 1954 and brought up in Kettering, Northamptonshire, England. From 1972 to 1975 Jane attend the University of Birmingham where she earned a combined Bachelor of Arts with honours in archaeology and history. In 1981 she completed a PhD in archaeology from University College London.

On 5 November 1977 Jane married Chemical Engineer Martin Clarke, whose work took them to Mexico, Brazil, the United States, Wales and the Netherlands. Together they raised two sons, Andrew and Robert (both born in Wales).

During her doctoral studies Jane lectured at University College London (1978–79). Thereafter she lectured at University College Cardiff in Wales part time (1981–83), and also taught history at Bryn Hafren School in Barry, Wales (1979–83). After Jane moved with her family to the Netherlands (Koewacht), she began working part time as a librarian at the Antwerp International School. It was during this time when she started her career as a children’s author.

Jane’s husband, Martin, died of a heart attack in Antwerp, Belgium on 20 December 2001. In June 2005, Jane moved from the Netherlands back to Kent (near Deal) in England where she now lives.

Aside from writing children’s books, Jane spends a significant amount of time inspiring children to read and write. She frequently visits schools throughout the UK and Europe to do so.

Jane Clarke is a team writer on three different popular series. Dinosaur Cove (series created by Working Partners Ltd. and published by Oxford University Press), Puddle the naughtiest puppy (series created by Working Partners Ltd. and published by Ladybird Books Ltd.) and Battersea Dogs and Cats Home (created by Random House Children's Books and published by Red Fox.)

Jane has also done support work for various charitable organisations including Ellenor Lions Children’s Hospice, Institute of Cancer Research (The Clapham Grand), Battersea Dogs and Cats Home and READ (promotes reading in Africa).

Reviews

[Tasmin · Rating 2 out of 5]

2/5
Drawing: 5/5!
Story: Meh. It is basically telling you that you can only be happy if you fit in. Fuck that.

[Erin · Rating 2 out of 5]

I read this out loud to my storytime group today, and it wasn't until I was faced with an audience that I decided I didn't like this nearly as much as I originally thought.

My first impression was of the bright and beautiful neon Leon finding a welcoming place in the world with a ton of fun reader interaction. I loved the color matching and search for a homey and familiar place in the world. I loved that Leon found a friend.

But as I read this aloud and I kept repeating that Leon wasn't comfortable in a place where he looked different, and he just needed to find a place to blend in, it started to feel as though I was telling the kids that Leon couldn't possibly belong in a place where he stuck out like a sore thumb. The other chameleons weren't very welcoming, and when he finally found happiness it was with a chameleon who looked exactly like him. I think finding a place where you fit in is important, but to reduce it to color alone is a little... awkward and simplistic.

In short, there was weird subtext and a lot of missed opportunities with this one. I don't think I'll be reading this one to the storytime crowd again.

[Sara · Rating 2 out of 5]

اون حالت تعاملی بودنش رو دوست دارم با یه بچه دو سه ساله امتحان کنم ببینم ذوق می‌کنه یا نه. حدس میزنم بهشون خوش بگذره.
راجع به داستان، طبیعیه که بزرگترها برای خوشحال‌تر شدن دنبال فیت شدن تو جامعه باشند ولی بچه ها، تعداد قابل توجهی از بچه ها، اصلا متوجه این متفاوت بودنشون نیستند و تا یه سنی خوشحالی یا غمشون ربطی به همرنگی با جماعت نداره. شاید با این کتاب یه دغدغه اضافه براشون ایجاد کنیم، شاید جامعه آماری بچه‌هایی که من تاحالا دیدم جامع نبوده.
۲.۱۴۰۴

[Veronika Pizano · Rating 4 out of 5]

Veľmi záleží, ako je kniha podaná a teda ideálne ju podať tak, že aj keď sme iní, môže existovať miesto, kde sa budeme cítiť dobre a nájdeme si niekoho podobného. Osobne sa mi páčia najmä interaktívne prvky, keď majú deti Leonovi pomôcť napríklad rátaním. A ilustrácie sú krásne, nájsť všetkých chameleónov nie je vôbec ľahké.

[Ruth Govaerts · Rating 4 out of 5]

Heerlijk kleurrijk boekje over een kameleon die niet van kleur kan veranderen en op zoek gaat naar een plekje waar hij zichzelf kan zijn.

[Melissa · Rating 1 out of 5]

Personally I did not like this book. Its all about fitting in to be happy, however I personally feel that it is something that should not be encouraged as everyone is different and should be celebrated for their differences.

The questioning in the book would encourage the reader to think and makes the book more active and the illustrations are nice. Just sends out the wrong message.

[Helen White · Rating 4 out of 5]

Who wouldn't like a bright neon chameleon? well Leon doesn't really fit in anywhere as he is a wild colour. He tries everywhere but don't worry it's a happy ending.

[Isabel Smith · Rating 3 out of 5]

Leon is a chameleon who is feeling out of sorts lately. Why? Because he cannot change the color of his skin to fit in with his surroundings like the rest of the chameleons can. He is stuck in a bright, neon orange skin that doesn’t camouflage well in the desert, in the jungle, or really anywhere at all. Follow along and help Leon find his way and learn to fit in as you read Britta Teckentrup’s Neon Leon.

This makes for a fun, interactive read. Children who enjoy a bit of action while reading will enjoy following along with the commands in the story (telling Leon what color he should turn next, etc.). Spotting Leon on each page will be fun and easy since he sticks out like a sore thumb. Poor little fella! But by the story’s end, children will be clapping and cheering for Leon because they will feel like they personally played a part in his happy ending. Makes the perfect companion story to Rachel Quarry’s Colin the Chameleon.

[Villain E · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm sorry, but I can't get past the fact that the text says Leon is orange but he's pink. On almost every page it says he's orange. When he finally finds a brightly colored environment to blend into, the text says it's all orange, but it's pink. Am I crazy? I asked my three-year-olds what color it was, and they say it's pink. I thought, maybe I have an older copy and the color has changed over time, but the cover on Goodreads is, if anything, more pink than the one in my hands. So, was this a disconnect between the writer and artist? Was the editor colorblind? Whu .... I am befuddled.

[Ellie Flude · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fantastic interactive book with opportunities for children to immerse themselves fully into the story. I read this book with a year 1 class on placement and they all enjoyed joining in with helping Leon the chameleon fit in!
Neon Leon could be great to use for discussions around habitats and chameleons themselves. The book features many emotions and is based around the idea of ‘fitting in’. It could therefore be used as a tool to support many PHSE topics. It also has a page where children are asked to count along with Leon, incorporating their mathematics counting skills!

[Bmack · Rating 4 out of 5]

This would be a great book for a preschool or Kindergarten read-aloud. Leon is a chameleon who stays bright orange instead of changing colors like the other chameleons. The book has an interactive element as it asks the reader to guess what page they will turn as they go to the sandy desert and the big, gray, rocky mountains. They find out as the page is turned. It also invites the reader to encourage Leon and count to give him time to get to the next page. The illustrations are bright and engaging.

[BrookesEducationLibrarian · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very bright and colourful, this is a great interactive picture book that encourages it's readers to count to ten, whisper, guess colours and spot the chameleons on each page. Not entirely sure how positive the message of the story but still highly enjoyable to read!

[Cherry (_forevermint) · Rating 4 out of 5]

An cute & interactive picture book about a neon chameleon who doesn't quite fit in.

[Viviane Elbee]

A bright orange chameleon who doesn’t change colors like the others.

[Rachel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Story 3 stars
Art 4 stars

[Juraj Konik · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pomôžte Neónovi zažiariť. Deti ho budú milovať

[Frances Coe · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fab book to interact with both child and adult readers together

[Shehnoor Ahmed · Rating 1 out of 5]

Very negative message. It basically says that if you are different you will not be tolerated and will have to leave. You will only be accepted by those that are the same colour as you. Sounds like appartied to me.

I have complained to the shop which I purchased this book and they now no longer stock it.

[Sakina · Rating 3 out of 5]

Selon son environnement, Diego doit acclimater sa peau à son environnement. Mais Diego est différent, il est FLUO ! Il trouvera, au cours de l'histoire, un environnement qui s'adaptera à lui.

Youpi :)

[Akim Olivero]

Horrible book!

[Meagan · Rating 1 out of 5]

I don't understand. Is this book communicating that people only fit in with others who look like them? As an interracial family, I'm not reading this book to my kids.

[Meredith · Rating 3 out of 5]

Leon the chameleon doesn’t fit in with the other chameleons because he cannot change his neon orange color.

Leon stands out like a fluorescent orange warning sign. His inability to change colors, blend in with his environment, and fit in with his peers leave Leon feeling sad. Eventually, he is able to find orange plants on which he is camouflaged, and he even meets another orange chameleon.

This book breaks the fourth wall and invited reader participation, and Britta Teckentrup's illustrations are delightful as always.

I understand the criticism of this story for portraying a character who wants to fit in rather than who is happy to stand out. The basic human need for acceptance contradicts the American fixation on radical individualism and the recent emphasis on self-acceptance. On the other hand, the basic need to belong is a powerful human motivator. Not everyone enjoys bucking the trend and deviating from the norm, and this book isn't intended for those who like being different.

Leon's experience depicts the very real emotional struggle of people who are different when they would rather be the same, and young readers who feel like they don't fit in will identify with and empathize with Leon. The story's resolution may give them hope that they, too, will find a community and/or group in which they will belong.

[Delaney Arthurs]

Neon Leon is written by Jane Clarke and Britta Teckentrup. This book describes the story of the bright chemelon, "Leon." Unlike other chamelon's, Leon does not fit in. Anywhere the other chamelons go, they can color match their surroundings. Unfortunately, Leon is always by himself. He is not able to try to camflouage himself among the others. Luckily through many trial and errors, he was able to find his own place and a find a friend!

I loved this book. Although it is surface level talking about "Leon", this book can be used very deeply. The colors are incredible, and how the other chameleons are camoflauged but still able to see them! The illustrator did an incredible job. Also, the book has so many different approaches for kids learning systems that kind of snuck their way in- kind of like counting to ten before turning the page.

I would use this book in my classroom. Like I mentioned before, this book can be used to dive deeper into heavier conversations with your students. This can be used when learning how to be friends with people who do not look the same as you. This book can be used when trying to find where you fit/identity. This book is awesome and I definitely want a copy for my classroom!

[Josie B. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Poor Leon the chameleon cannot change colors-he is stuck on a neon shade of pinkish orange. He travels from jungle to desert to jungle searching for some place he can blend in. I paired this with the nonfiction title, “Chameleons” by Grace Hansen as part of a preschool science class on camouflage and chameleons. We learned that chameleons change color for a number of reasons- environment, cold, mood, and possibly communication! We watched a 3 minute video of a chameleon changing color, matched die-cut chameleons to background where they blended in, talked about camouflage, made paper plate color changing chameleons, and bounced a beanie baby chameleon in a parachute chanting:

Leon, Leon, how you wander
From one color to another
Is it time? Is it time?
To stop your wandering
And end this rhyme?

When we stopped, we looked at the color Leon had landed on and talked about whether he blended in or stood out. (He matched the blue and green the best.)

There are a surprising number of chameleon picture books out there; some to consider: The Mixed-Up Chameleon by Eric Carle, Blue Chameleon by Emily Gravett, and Who am I? By Gervase Phinn.

[Alana Young]

This book is about a neon chameleon who doesn't fit in because he is orange whereas the rest of the chameleons blend in and are all the same color. He goes searching for a place he fits in until he eventually finds another orange chameleon to befriend. This book is interactive, requesting the participation of the audience to count to ten, whisper the text, and make guesses. This book didn't go in the direction I was expecting as I fear the underlying message may be that to fit in and feel "comfortable" a person needs to stay with people who are like them. With that being said, the illustration is beautiful and the interactive aspect of the book would make for a fun read-aloud for younger elementary students. If I were to read this book to my class, I would do so for the interactive aspect and highlight that aspect. To combat the message that a person must "fit in" I would try to focus on the time Leon spent with the flamingos, they were the same yet different. I would have to strongly consider the value of this storybook in my classroom before I introduced it.

[L.A. · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’m mixed on this one. The illustrations are fantastic, and the idea of neon was spot on too. I love how the author “coaches” the reader on what to say to a small child.

If she had labeled his color as “neon” the whole time instead of “orange,” I think it would have been more fun. (I’m not one to change what an author says, but I read it using “neon” with my two-and-a-half year-old, and it clicked for her better.)

The plot was weak though, I think. Leon was only happy once he found someone like him. That’s not a great life lesson. In fact, even my daughter seemed to get that it was backwards: on every page, I was asking her what color Leon was supposed to be, and she’d say, “No, no, Leon, you are not supposed to be [blue]!” It is happy in the end that he finds a place he “matches” and a friend, but better I think would have been a plot where Leon learns how to be happy and make friends even if his “color-changing mechanism” was broken or he was unique to his environment. Not sure what the author was driving toward.

[CTWard · Rating 3 out of 5]

"Neon Leon" is a catchy, fun, original book that sadly was not well thought through as a children's story.
I personally do not recommend the book the story-time as is, because the original text narrative promotes segregation- but most likely not on purpose. As a chameleon trying to survive in the wild, the text makes sense. But in the context of a child relating to the story, it promotes isolating and excluding others solely if they do not look a certain way or cannot do specific things.
However, the book has great potential for a group story-time due to it's large, bright illustrations, reader interaction (saying things as a group in various volumes of voices to Leon when prompted), color identification, and counting opportunities, as well as if the reader has the ability to re-tell the story in context as a chameleon trying to survive rather than attempting to fit in with his "friends" who make him feel sad for permanently being neon orange/pink.

[Emma McDonald · Rating 5 out of 5]

This brightly illustrated book is a cute tale about a unique chameleon. Leon is a neon orange chameleon, and as the interactive story progresses through different habitats, all the other chameleons change color, except for Leon. Will Leon ever find a place where he fits in? Your students will discover the answer along with you, as they cheer Leon on.

Review:
I really liked the illustrations and the simple storyline of this book. It would be easy to follow for young readers, while still being fun and interactive. It reminded me of watching Dora when I was younger, how I’d cheer on characters with her, or count to accomplish a mission. I think this format would be fun for kids of the appropriate age group.

Uses for This Book:
This book would be a very fun read-aloud for a class, and it would also be good for teaching about chameleons, the societal hardships of feeling like you don’t belong, or even simple counting for very young readers.

[Cindy Mitchell *Kiss the Book* · Rating 5 out of 5]

Neon Leon by Jane Clarke, illustrated by Britta Teckentrup. PICTURE BOOK. Nosy Crow (Candlewick Press), 2018. $15. 9780763699154

BUYING ADVISORY: Pre-K, EL (K-3) - ESSENTIAL.

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH

All the chameleons are changing colors except for Leon. He is neon orange. He is orange when he is in the green trees, he is orange when he is in the yellow desert, and he is orange when he is in the mountains. Leon is starting to feel sad until he finds a plant that is just his color and as luck would have it, someone else orange has found that plant too.

This book is beautiful. Neon Leon is darling against all the contrasting backdrops and his story is the timeless message of finding a place where you fit in.

Jen Wecker, HS English Teacher
https://kissthebookjr.blogspot.com/20...

[Annelisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hmmm. Not sure how to classify this one. I love the artwork and interactivity. But I don't like the idea that Leon couldn't find contentment until he was around someone who had the same color variation as him. I understand the message about feeling like one belongs, especially after seeing that there are others in the world like you, but I believe that it could have been worked a little better. The other chameleons come off as very insenitive (who couldn't love that adorable critter?!?) in their treatment of Leon. He can't help, for example, that his color keeps the other chameleons awake, so that's something that he shouldn't be blamed for. Whether children will pick up on these subliminals remains to be seen