The subtitle of this lively children’s book, The Chameleon Who Decided He Was An Alligator, gives away part of the story, the humorous part. Because of course, a small chameleon isn’t an alligator. But Tyrone is so tired of being left out of games because he’s weedy, that he does something about it, getting his pal Junior the squirrel to help him shape up, calling himself TYRONE THE TERRIBLE. And then he decides – unfortunately – to throw his new weight around, by behaving just like a scary, mean-tempered, alligator.
Tyrone is bound to learn a hard lesson. Chameleons are famous for changing colour but that doesn’t form part of the adventure, because in Gnarly Tree Bend, all the animals can probably see one another no matter what. Much more important is how they behave towards family and friends. Sly, the meanest alligator in the bayou, is the real terror. We get to meet him, too. Ooops! Back off, Tyrone!
Jan Lis is a nature writer and journalist, who charmingly captures the rhythms of the southern lifestyle. Kids can learn about animals but also about making friends, bullying, and how it feels to be left out. Classrooms can use this book to teach about including others in play. Families can find good talking points and adults will enjoy reading all the voices and sound effects aloud. The line drawings by Jan Lis are just enough to show us the scenes, but not so much that we don’t bother reading the story. TYRONE THE TERRIBLE is good fun and belongs on every young reader’s bookshelf.
Tyrone is the skinniest chameleon in the swamp. No one wants him on their team. After going on a fitness program, Tyrone gets carried away with his new self and terrorizes his friends in Gnarly Tree Bend until he meets Sly, the meanest gator in the bayou. Looks like Tyrone is gumbo.
The moral of this story? Someone is always bigger and badder than you, so you’d best make friends along the way.
Tyrone the Terrible is a bullying tale. The feisty chameleon picks on his bayou buddies before meeting his match. In the process, he learns the value of friends and family and how actions have consequences.
This delightful story is filled with swampy animal characters with a distinctly southern voice—not quite Brer Rabbit, but a good deep-south feel.
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