Neon Leon by Jane Clarke - ESSENTIAL

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