The Mixed-Up Chameleon: A Guide for Use in Christian Storytimes

For more information on how to use these reviews in developing your own preschool storytime, and for help in understanding the following guidelines, please refer to the websites listed in the Supporting Links.

Title: The Mixed-Up Chameleon

Author/Illustrator: Eric Carle

Publisher: HarperCollins

Copyright: 1984, 1975

Word Density: Low

My Recommended Age-Appropriateness: Toddler to 8

Summary: We've all had days where we either just weren't satisfied with ourselves, or just felt a little "mixed-up." Like the poor chameleon in this classic Carle story, children often wish they could be bigger, stronger, a different color, more capable, agile, or clever. But, with the metaphor of the chameleon, Eric Carle paints a picture of just how silly we would look if we had all the qualities of everyone around us. The crazed and hilarious look of the chameleon's googly eyes hints at its emotional state as it takes on the silly long pink legs and wings of a flamingo, the bushy red tail of a fox, the long neck of a giraffe, and even a turtle's shell. In the end, the poor hungry chameleon realizes it can't get on with all those foreign attributes, and sheds them all when it decides being a chameleon is best for a chameleon. With characteristic attention to early learning, Carle incorporates colors and animal shapes into the edges of the story, and creates another excellent book for preschool teachers, parents, and librarians to use again and again.

Christian Themes:

1. Being what God created you to be.

2. God loves you just the way you are.

Preschool Themes:

1. Being yourself.

2. Feeling insecure.

3. Self-esteem.

4. Animals.

5. Reptiles.

6. Colors.

Scripture Connections: (All of the following are from the New Century Version unless otherwise noted.)

1. Psalm 139:13-14.
"You made my whole being; you formed me in my mother's body. I praise you because you made me in an amazing and wonderful way. What you have done is wonderful. I know this very well."

2. Psalm 139:15.
"You saw my bones being formed as I took shape in my mother's body. When I was put together there."

3. John 15:9.
"I loved you as the Father loved me. Now remain in my love."

4. Ephesians 4:11.
"And Christ gave gifts to people-he made some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to go and tell the Good News, and some to have the work of caring for and teaching God's people."

5. Jeremiah 29:11.
"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." (NIV)

6. John 1:3
"All things were made by him, and nothing was made without him."

Song Connections:

1. "Jesus Loves Me."

2. "I Am a Promise," from the "Veggie Tales Worship Songs" CD.

Enrichment:

Take the children to a zoo to view the reptiles, or ask a pet shop owner to bring a chameleon and other lizards to your school for a demonstration.