Description ■ "Why don't we stay together?" A special friendship story between two chameleons that helps them discover their true selves At first, the chameleon tries to have a color of its own, just like the other animals. But this effort soon fails. Because its color changes moment by moment, the chameleon cannot feel a sense of belonging with the other animals, and it feels lonely and isolated. Then one day, while out on a green meadow, the chameleon meets an older, wiser chameleon. This meeting completely changes everything the chameleon had believed until then. The wise chameleon says, "Why don't we stay together? Wherever we go, our colors will always change—but you and I will always be the same color as each other." The two chameleons, turning the same color together, comfort each other's loneliness through empathy and connection. In the process, the chameleon comes to accept its true nature just as it is, and naturally regains its sense of identity and presence. Its color still changes depending on its surroundings, but the chameleon is no longer sad or lonely—because it always has a friend beside it who changes to the very same color. A Color of His Own carries Leo Lionni's heartfelt wish that, even as the world keeps changing without pause, children will accept themselves and their true nature just as they are, and find solidarity with others. In that sense, this work, first published in 1975, has left a lasting impression for decades and continues to be loved by many. ■ Illustrations that convey the essence of the story through color, showcasing Leo Lionni's distinctive style "As the chameleon searches for its identity, it finds a friend who understands its ever-changing nature. Lionni's iconic watercolors cast a rainbow over this chameleon's tale." —Publishers Weekly Lionni expresses a rich array of colors through watercolor, weaving the story's theme into simple illustrations. By naming colors such as green, red, pink, and gray within the text, he introduces the concept of color, while emphasizing each animal's own distinct color to hint at that animal's identity. The leaves also deepen in color from green to yellow to red, naturally showing the passing of the seasons. When the chameleon sadly asks, "Will we never have a color of our own?" its body is a dark earthy brown. In contrast, the wise chameleon is green, like a spring leaf. Once they share their worries and offer each other friendship, both chameleons turn a fresh, vibrant green. The two chameleons turning the same color visually reveals the friendship between them, while also symbolizing the happiness the chameleon feels. Through color, Lionni conveys each animal's identity, the changing seasons, and even the chameleon's inner emotions—revealing his masterful, free-flowing sense of color. ▶ Story Summary The parrot is green, the goldfish is red, the elephant is gray, the pig is pink. Every animal has a color of its own—except the chameleon. The chameleon's color changes depending on where it is. Hoping to find a color of its own, the chameleon decides to live on a leaf, expecting to stay green forever. But when the seasons change, the leaf's color changes, and the chameleon's color changes along with it. When winter passes and a new spring arrives, the chameleon meets an older, wiser chameleon. The wise chameleon tells him that even if they never find a color of their own, as long as they are together, they will always be the same color as each other. And so the two chameleons become green together, then purple, then yellow, living happily ever after by each other's side.