“Neon the Chameleon is a much needed resource for teachers and parents who have children who are learning a second language. It gives the adult reader a glimpse of what it feels like for a child trying to adapt to an environment where they may not understand what others are saying, and others do not understand them. Neon asks questions of the reader throughout the book which will help children know that they are not alone and that their feelings are natural. As a long time educator who has worked with children of all ages and from many different cultures, I am excited to share this book with teachers and families! It is full of many important questions and information. I would suggest reading it more than once and also breaking it down into sections when reading to a child, so there is ample time to discuss the topics. The “A note to teachers” in the section in the back is invaluable. I highly recommend that adults read that section first, and definitely read the book with children!”
Paula Januzzi, Literacy Coach/Media Coordinator
“Neon the Chameleon is a much needed resource for teachers and parents who have children who are learning a second language. It gives the adult reader a glimpse of what it feels like for a child trying to adapt to an environment where they may not understand what others are saying, and others do not understand them. Neon asks questions of the reader throughout the book which will help children know that they are not alone and that their feelings are natural. As a long time educator who has worked with children of all ages and from many different cultures, I am excited to share this book with teachers and families! It is full of many important questions and information. I would suggest reading it more than once and also breaking it down into sections when reading to a child, so there is ample time to discuss the topics. The “A note to teachers” in the section in the back is invaluable. I highly recommend that adults read that section first, and definitely read the book with children!”
Paula Januzzi, Literacy Coach/Media Coordinator
“Thanks again, very much for sharing your first ever children’s book with me. I’m saying “first” because I hope that you will write more! Neon is such a thoughtfully written and beautifully illustrated book. It’s enlightening to think about the feelings of joy, wonder, and frustration that children who are learning second languages might be experiencing. The writing in Neon offers nice examples of new vocabulary words and of rhyming phrases throughout the story that can be highlighted for all children’s language learning. The suggestions for teachers and parents at the end of the book are very helpful for children learning more than one language simultaneously or sequentially. All children, their parents and teachers will enjoy talking about, reading and re-reading Neon.”
Patsy Pierce, Ph.D., CCC-SLP
Patsy Pierce, Ph.D., CCC-SLP
“I love this book! I really like that Neon changes colors when his feelings change. And, I learned some things about what it feels like when I play with someone who is learning to speak English.”
Jackson Dean, 6 years old
Neon the Chameleon is Learning English at School is a charming, creative, and wise new book for children and adults… Words and delightful illustrations show how Neon the Chameleon changes colors based on how he is feeling… For children this is a clever story about one chameleon’s language learning experiences…There are two huge added bonuses at the back of the book. First there is a section for teachers that offers examples of how to address specific challenges that English Language Learners may face…A second bonus is suggestions for family members on how to support children to progress in both home and school languages. In summary, the author and illustrator have provided a thoughtful tutorial on practices that support young English Language Learners in classroom settings which is completely disguised as a delightful, engaging story for children.
Camille Cattle,
Senior Technical Assistance
Frank Porter Graham Child Development Institute
“Neon the Chameleon is a much needed resource for teachers and parents who have children who are learning a second language. It gives the adult reader a glimpse of what it feels like for a child trying to adapt to an environment where they may not understand what others are saying, and others do not understand them. Neon asks questions of the reader throughout the book which will help children know that they are not alone and that their feelings are natural. As a long time educator who has worked with children of all ages and from many different cultures, I am excited to share this book with teachers and families! It is full of many important questions and information. I would suggest reading it more than once and also breaking it down into sections when reading to a child, so there is ample time to discuss the topics. The “A note to teachers” in the section in the back is invaluable. I highly recommend that adults read that section first, and definitely read the book with children!”
Paula Januzzi, Literacy Coach/Media Coordinator
“Neon the Chameleon is a much needed resource for teachers and parents who have children who are learning a second language. It gives the adult reader a glimpse of what it feels like for a child trying to adapt to an environment where they may not understand what others are saying, and others do not understand them. Neon asks questions of the reader throughout the book which will help children know that they are not alone and that their feelings are natural. As a long time educator who has worked with children of all ages and from many different cultures, I am excited to share this book with teachers and families! It is full of many important questions and information. I would suggest reading it more than once and also breaking it down into sections when reading to a child, so there is ample time to discuss the topics. The “A note to teachers” in the section in the back is invaluable. I highly recommend that adults read that section first, and definitely read the book with children!”
Paula Januzzi, Literacy Coach/Media Coordinator