Rory H. Mather (text) and Sofya Karmazina (illustrator), Sebastian stands out, Scholastic Australia, June 2023, RRP $19.99 (hbk), ISBN 9781761207884
Glorious illustrations. Glorious rhymes. Just glorious.
The problem for Sebastian Chameleon is his name. He is a Chameleon. He blends in. Translated, it means he is NEVER seen. He goes grey when a rhinoceros sits on him. Oh no! He goes pink when he dances with an emu and is knocked off his feet! Oh no! He goes yellow and striped as he is squashed between a lion and a zebra and flung right through the air. Oh, no!
At his wits’ end, Sebastian announces I’m done with blending in. Then there is a great commotion at the party. The disco ball crashes. Sebastian has the answer. What is it? He becomes bright, bright, bright. He becomes the disco ball, and everyone can see him.
The picture book is so colourful with Sofya Karmazina’s imaginative and wonderful illustrations. The verse is so delightful as Rory H. Mather gets into the mindset of never being seen.
I Just love this picture book.
It is highly recommended for ages 3 plus.
Reviewed by Susanne Gervay
