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Leon Chameleon
Leon Chameleon PI and the case of the kidnapped mouse
A humorous, animal detective story for 7-12 year-olds. "When Mr Woodland Mouse mysteriously disappears, Constable Mole is quick to enlist the help of Leon Chameleon, Private Investigator, whose expertise enabled the Pigeon Valley Police to solve the case of the missing canary eggs. After organising a search, Leon realises that there is only one creature in the valley who can spring the captured mouse from his prison. But just when he thinks Mr Woodland Mouse is safely on his way home, the plan goes horribly wrong..." All the animal details of food, habits, and lifestyle are true to nature (apart from Constable Mole's sunglasses!) and the animals solve the crimes using their own natural abilities. Children will absorb much knowledge of the small creatures of Africa without being aware of it. A section of interesting facts has been added to this second detective story in the Leon Chameleon PI series. It provides valuable and little-known information on chameleons, moles and other creatures featured in the story.
63 pages, Paperback
First published April 19, 1995
4 people are currently reading
346 people want to read
About the author
Jan Hurst-Nicholson
22 books49 followersJan Hurst-Nicholson has been writing for about 25 years. Her articles, humorous articles and short stories have appeared in South African and overseas magazines and these were compiled into a book: ‘Something to Read on the Plane’ a bit of light literature, short stories & other fun stuff.
Her first children’s book was ‘Leon Chameleon PI and the case of the missing canary eggs’ published by Gecko Books, and was one of Bookchat’s 1993 South African Books of the Year. This was followed by ‘Leon Chameleon PI and the case of the kidnapped mouse’ (both now available as e-books on Amazon) ‘Leon Chameleon PI and the case of the bottled bat’ is awaiting publication. These are humorous, animal, detective stories set in a nature reserve.
‘Bheki and the Magic Light,’ which tells of a rural child’s fascination with a torch, was published by Penguin SA.
‘Jake,’ was published by Cambridge University Press.
The Race (an inspirational story for LEFT-HANDERS)is now avilable as an e-book
Born in the UK, Jan emigrated from Liverpool to South Africa in the 1970s. Her experiences moving to a new continent were the inspiration for her humorous novel ‘But Can You Drink The Water?’ which was a semi-finalist (top 50 out of 5000) in the 2010 Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award.
This is now available on Amazon as a Kindle digital book and has sold over 15 000 copies.
Jan worked in the R&D department of a large bakery for several years, and this gave her the idea for ‘The Breadwinners,’ a family saga spanning 50 years and set in Durban. This is now available on Amazon as a Kindle digital book.
Jan has also written a YA novel, Mystery at Ocean Drive, which was a runner-up in the 2010 Citizen/Pan MacMillan YA novel award, and is now available as a Kindle digital book.
Jan's latest novel is "With the Headmaster's Approval" a contemporary story set in the UK,
Jan has also written a non-fiction book. PUBLIC SPEAKING - Banish the Butterflies. A must-read for anyone involved with public speaking.
Jan’s writing also appears in ‘Edge Words’ (20 stories from the Cheshire Prize for Literature 2006) published by University of Chester, ‘Chicken Soup for the Caregiver's Soul’ and ‘Chicken Soup for the Soul 101 best stories On Being a Parent,’ and ‘Summer Shorts’.
Her first children’s book was ‘Leon Chameleon PI and the case of the missing canary eggs’ published by Gecko Books, and was one of Bookchat’s 1993 South African Books of the Year. This was followed by ‘Leon Chameleon PI and the case of the kidnapped mouse’ (both now available as e-books on Amazon) ‘Leon Chameleon PI and the case of the bottled bat’ is awaiting publication. These are humorous, animal, detective stories set in a nature reserve.
‘Bheki and the Magic Light,’ which tells of a rural child’s fascination with a torch, was published by Penguin SA.
‘Jake,’ was published by Cambridge University Press.
The Race (an inspirational story for LEFT-HANDERS)is now avilable as an e-book
Born in the UK, Jan emigrated from Liverpool to South Africa in the 1970s. Her experiences moving to a new continent were the inspiration for her humorous novel ‘But Can You Drink The Water?’ which was a semi-finalist (top 50 out of 5000) in the 2010 Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award.
This is now available on Amazon as a Kindle digital book and has sold over 15 000 copies.
Jan worked in the R&D department of a large bakery for several years, and this gave her the idea for ‘The Breadwinners,’ a family saga spanning 50 years and set in Durban. This is now available on Amazon as a Kindle digital book.
Jan has also written a YA novel, Mystery at Ocean Drive, which was a runner-up in the 2010 Citizen/Pan MacMillan YA novel award, and is now available as a Kindle digital book.
Jan's latest novel is "With the Headmaster's Approval" a contemporary story set in the UK,
Jan has also written a non-fiction book. PUBLIC SPEAKING - Banish the Butterflies. A must-read for anyone involved with public speaking.
Jan’s writing also appears in ‘Edge Words’ (20 stories from the Cheshire Prize for Literature 2006) published by University of Chester, ‘Chicken Soup for the Caregiver's Soul’ and ‘Chicken Soup for the Soul 101 best stories On Being a Parent,’ and ‘Summer Shorts’.
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
July 14, 2011
Jan Hurst-Nicholson manages to entertain and inform all at the same time. Geared for a middle grade audience, the writing flows well and makes for a wonderful read-aloud as well as a read-alone. The advanced vocabulary will offer a challenge to the youngest readers and may be best done as a read-aloud, offering a great opportunity to teach new vocabulary and discuss the book. What I like most about this book is the seamless way the author has woven true facts about the various animals into the story. It’s done in such a way that it’s easy to learn new information without losing the flow of the narrative. In addition to the facts interspersed throughout the text, there is a compact little glossary of sorts in the back offering additional facts about each of the characters in the book. Add to that the attractive illustrations by Barbara McGuire, and you have a wonderful, entertaining, and educational story that is sure to engage readers of all ages.
4.5 stars @ MotherLode blog http://gracekrispy.com
4.5 stars @ MotherLode blog http://gracekrispy.com
April 20, 2011
I won a copy of this on Goodreads and it arrived today, and since it's so short I figured I could put my other book on hold and read it straight away. :)
I absolutely loved it! Such a delightful little story - the right amount of adventure and things going wrong, and nicely informative as well. There is a small facts section at the end with facts about chameleons, moles, molerats and woodland mice, but within the story as well you learn stuff - and it's also a book with a Message, which is done very nicely (kids, don't kidnap wild animals!).
There are gorgeous illustrations as well, and the one of Mr. Woodland Mouse in the tunnel between Constable Mole and Molerat made me go 'awww!' :D
I loved the tone of the story as well. I read a lot of YA and childrens' books, but every so often I come across some that read too young - this was not one of them. Delightful whether you're nine or twenty-nine (or ninety-nine, for that matter!). The author does not speak down to her audience at all, which I appreciate, and I would have also appreciated it had I read this at the target age. Books which speak down to the reader were the sort my mother read me - when I was able to read myself beyond picture books, I didn't want to be treated like an idiot. ;)
I'm giving this five stars because I was so charmed by it. :D Lovely setting as well - I didn't realise until the end that it was in South Africa! Such a lovely mix of animals they have there - I couldn't tell where it was set because some of the animals seemed British, some Australian, and then some had me thinking of perhaps Asia.
I absolutely loved it! Such a delightful little story - the right amount of adventure and things going wrong, and nicely informative as well. There is a small facts section at the end with facts about chameleons, moles, molerats and woodland mice, but within the story as well you learn stuff - and it's also a book with a Message, which is done very nicely (kids, don't kidnap wild animals!).
There are gorgeous illustrations as well, and the one of Mr. Woodland Mouse in the tunnel between Constable Mole and Molerat made me go 'awww!' :D
I loved the tone of the story as well. I read a lot of YA and childrens' books, but every so often I come across some that read too young - this was not one of them. Delightful whether you're nine or twenty-nine (or ninety-nine, for that matter!). The author does not speak down to her audience at all, which I appreciate, and I would have also appreciated it had I read this at the target age. Books which speak down to the reader were the sort my mother read me - when I was able to read myself beyond picture books, I didn't want to be treated like an idiot. ;)
I'm giving this five stars because I was so charmed by it. :D Lovely setting as well - I didn't realise until the end that it was in South Africa! Such a lovely mix of animals they have there - I couldn't tell where it was set because some of the animals seemed British, some Australian, and then some had me thinking of perhaps Asia.
August 23, 2011
*I won a copy of this book thanks to Jan Hurst-Nicholson and Goodreads
Leon Chameleon P.I. and the Case of the Kidnapped Mouse es un cuento que sigue las aventuras de Leon Chameleon, un camaleón encargado de resolver los misterios que se presentan en Pigeon Valley. En este caso Mr. Woodland Mouse ha desaparecido misteriosamente y en seguida se recurre a la ayuda de Leon para poder encontrarlo sano y salvo.
Es una historia singular ya que como los personajes son animales, se combinan elementos fantásticos como realistas, por ejemplo, que vivan en una especie de comunidad, se dicen los buenos días y hasta tienen un estación de policía pero a pesar de eso, se cuidan de no ser comidos por los vecinos, todo esto dándole un toque muy hilarante.
Presenta buenos giros en la trama, sin embargo algunos resultan ser algo predecibles y al final todo se resuelve de forma satisfactoria, típico de un cuento para niños pero no por eso se deja de ser disfrutable.
Lo más importante es que a medida que vas leyendo se adquiere cierta concientización sobre la naturaleza. Al final hay un apartado donde se presenta más información sobre los protagonistas de la historia en forma de un resumen. Pero creo que sería más atractivo -en especial para el público al que está dirigido- si la autora lo hiciera más estructurado al poner una imagen de uno de los personajes y a un lado sus características más sobresalientes.
Por último cabe mencionar que Barbara McGuire hizo un excelente trabajo al ilustrar el cuento presentándonos imágenes hermosas.
Leon Chameleon P.I. and the Case of the Kidnapped Mouse es un cuento que sigue las aventuras de Leon Chameleon, un camaleón encargado de resolver los misterios que se presentan en Pigeon Valley. En este caso Mr. Woodland Mouse ha desaparecido misteriosamente y en seguida se recurre a la ayuda de Leon para poder encontrarlo sano y salvo.
Es una historia singular ya que como los personajes son animales, se combinan elementos fantásticos como realistas, por ejemplo, que vivan en una especie de comunidad, se dicen los buenos días y hasta tienen un estación de policía pero a pesar de eso, se cuidan de no ser comidos por los vecinos, todo esto dándole un toque muy hilarante.
Presenta buenos giros en la trama, sin embargo algunos resultan ser algo predecibles y al final todo se resuelve de forma satisfactoria, típico de un cuento para niños pero no por eso se deja de ser disfrutable.
Lo más importante es que a medida que vas leyendo se adquiere cierta concientización sobre la naturaleza. Al final hay un apartado donde se presenta más información sobre los protagonistas de la historia en forma de un resumen. Pero creo que sería más atractivo -en especial para el público al que está dirigido- si la autora lo hiciera más estructurado al poner una imagen de uno de los personajes y a un lado sus características más sobresalientes.
Por último cabe mencionar que Barbara McGuire hizo un excelente trabajo al ilustrar el cuento presentándonos imágenes hermosas.
July 13, 2011
When Mr. Woodland Mouse is kidnapped, Constable Mole recruits private investigator Leon Chameleon to assist with the case. What follows is a forest-wide search and a complicated rescue mission that pulls together animals from all levels of the food chain.
Originally published in 1995, the electronic version of this children's book contains illustrations from the original. The color images are lovely, and the black-and-white sketches remind me of images from old Roald Dahl books. They alternate between remarkable detail and more rough-hewn whimsy, giving life to the text and neatly demonstrating what these foreign animals look like.
This book mixes facts about each animal into the storyline. While I adore the educational aspect, sometimes the way it was worked in felt more 'textbook' than not; some of the sentences made me think of sausage cases overfilled with information. Still, the language provides a good challenge to younger readers, and if it sparks an interest in animals and the ecosystem, I'm all for it.
The storyline itself is fun, showcasing strengths from each of the woodland creatures involved. The problem-solving at the end was too abrupt for my taste; I'd rather it were addressed at intervals throughout the story than all of it coming ot a head at the finale. Still, I doubt children will mind.
Leon Chameleon P.I. and the case of the kidnapped mouse is a great way to keep children entertained while teaching them about nature. Perhaps it will pique an interest in their own environs.
Hide and Read
(Review copy provided by the author)
Originally published in 1995, the electronic version of this children's book contains illustrations from the original. The color images are lovely, and the black-and-white sketches remind me of images from old Roald Dahl books. They alternate between remarkable detail and more rough-hewn whimsy, giving life to the text and neatly demonstrating what these foreign animals look like.
This book mixes facts about each animal into the storyline. While I adore the educational aspect, sometimes the way it was worked in felt more 'textbook' than not; some of the sentences made me think of sausage cases overfilled with information. Still, the language provides a good challenge to younger readers, and if it sparks an interest in animals and the ecosystem, I'm all for it.
The storyline itself is fun, showcasing strengths from each of the woodland creatures involved. The problem-solving at the end was too abrupt for my taste; I'd rather it were addressed at intervals throughout the story than all of it coming ot a head at the finale. Still, I doubt children will mind.
Leon Chameleon P.I. and the case of the kidnapped mouse is a great way to keep children entertained while teaching them about nature. Perhaps it will pique an interest in their own environs.
Hide and Read
(Review copy provided by the author)
June 3, 2011
First of all I would like to thank the author for sending me this copy of the book.
This was a really sweet, enjoyable book. The plot had a good mix of action, humor, facts and cute moments, just what a children book needs. I also really liked that even though this book is for younger children, it doesn't talk down to the reader, like some books can do,but treat them as intellectual people. So this book can also be enjoyed by those outside the intended age group.
The characters where really quirky and fun to read about, especially the main character, Leon. His serious and kinda blunt personality combined with his very amusing and funny inner monologue made him a unique character that I feel we don't really meet that often in children's books.
The narrator jumps between leon and the other animals in the story, and I felt that it sometimes could be too many voices and too sudden shifts between the characters. Sometimes it would take so long before it went back to Leon that you kind of forget that he's the main character.
The artwork was really good and it was really detailed, but wish there would have been more colored artwork. The pencil drawings could sometimes feel a bit gray and flat compared to the lovely marker drawings.
All in all, a very good read that can be enjoyed by any age group :)
This was a really sweet, enjoyable book. The plot had a good mix of action, humor, facts and cute moments, just what a children book needs. I also really liked that even though this book is for younger children, it doesn't talk down to the reader, like some books can do,but treat them as intellectual people. So this book can also be enjoyed by those outside the intended age group.
The characters where really quirky and fun to read about, especially the main character, Leon. His serious and kinda blunt personality combined with his very amusing and funny inner monologue made him a unique character that I feel we don't really meet that often in children's books.
The narrator jumps between leon and the other animals in the story, and I felt that it sometimes could be too many voices and too sudden shifts between the characters. Sometimes it would take so long before it went back to Leon that you kind of forget that he's the main character.
The artwork was really good and it was really detailed, but wish there would have been more colored artwork. The pencil drawings could sometimes feel a bit gray and flat compared to the lovely marker drawings.
All in all, a very good read that can be enjoyed by any age group :)
April 28, 2011
Thank you for choosing me to receive this book - I loved it. The story of Woodland Mouse's rescue made me smile as it was really a peaceable kingdom working to retrieve him. On top of that, the author did a lot of research on her characters natural habitat, habits, and markings - I learned a lot but in a fun way; starting with the description of Leon puffing up so he could drop the rest of his way out of a tree. The story also heald a nice lesson for how we people should view and treat our natural surroundings. This was rather subtle.
Besides the wonderfully written story I was treated to beautiful illustrations. The attetnion to detail brought the fauna to life.
At the conclusion of the book the author provided more spcific information on species of each character and their natural habitats.
I really enjoyed this book and will read it again.
Besides the wonderfully written story I was treated to beautiful illustrations. The attetnion to detail brought the fauna to life.
At the conclusion of the book the author provided more spcific information on species of each character and their natural habitats.
I really enjoyed this book and will read it again.
November 3, 2011
After solving the mystery of the missing canary eggs, Leon Cameleon becomes a regular helper for the police.
This time the Woodland Mouse has been kidnapped & Leon needs to find a way of rescuing him from the hands of human children.
Once again Janet Hurst-Nicholson gives her readers an interesting story full of intriguing facts from the animal world.
Amazing thing is, that despite their differences & the fact that some animals feed on the others, when it comes to danger they can all unite and stand together.
The story ends with some very interesting facts about chameleons, moles, molerats etc., which I found very useful & helpful.
I would recommend this book to children age 3-10, teachers & librarians as well as people who are interested in animals.
This time the Woodland Mouse has been kidnapped & Leon needs to find a way of rescuing him from the hands of human children.
Once again Janet Hurst-Nicholson gives her readers an interesting story full of intriguing facts from the animal world.
Amazing thing is, that despite their differences & the fact that some animals feed on the others, when it comes to danger they can all unite and stand together.
The story ends with some very interesting facts about chameleons, moles, molerats etc., which I found very useful & helpful.
I would recommend this book to children age 3-10, teachers & librarians as well as people who are interested in animals.
December 21, 2015
I received the book for free through Goodreads First Reads. Cute kids book, might recommend.
May 15, 2013
I received this book as a Goodreads first read giveaway and loved it! The story was fun and showed good teamwork amongst the animals. My favorite part was the beautiful illustrations!
March 14, 2016
I have read the first Leon Chameleon P.I. book, and thought it was such a sweet, amusing, interesting, exciting mystery for kids. I enjoyed this one too, although not quite as much, although I felt it had a bit more adventure I think I just didn't think it had quite as much mystery. Still a fabulous read though, plenty of twists and turns, plenty of interesting characters, plenty of snippets of factual information on the animal characters in the story fitted in in a really smooth manner, plenty of amusing comments! I think little Leon Chameleon is my favourite P.I. of all time! Particularly love that he's a private "eye" and how he uses his eyes in then book, this really amused and appealed to me!
December 21, 2015
An interesting tale of the animal world and the chaos that can be found along with those who stand up against it. When a member of the animal world goes missing it starts a search and rescue mission that soon involves nearly every animal imaginable.
Along the way there are some laughs, some scares and a hero or two to enjoy. A very imaginative story that any youngster should enjoy. The sketch style illustrations add another level of interest to the story as well.
Pick this one up for the little one then get ready for a quiet afternoon as he or she is involved in a good long read.
Along the way there are some laughs, some scares and a hero or two to enjoy. A very imaginative story that any youngster should enjoy. The sketch style illustrations add another level of interest to the story as well.
Pick this one up for the little one then get ready for a quiet afternoon as he or she is involved in a good long read.
October 5, 2015
A worthwhile and adventurous Nature type of nature at work!
I enjoyed this Herat and fun learning experience ebook! Which I would recommend for kids 7-12 who love to read about animals and nature stories and info. So, for these reasons I am giving it five stars. I received this book for free and now in return am writing this honest review. Great work Janet! By Angela L.
I enjoyed this Herat and fun learning experience ebook! Which I would recommend for kids 7-12 who love to read about animals and nature stories and info. So, for these reasons I am giving it five stars. I received this book for free and now in return am writing this honest review. Great work Janet! By Angela L.
May 9, 2013
I recieved this book from Goodread's First Reads and here's a link to a review I've written for it: http://rainaevink.hubpages.com/hub/Le...
April 3, 2016
Very cute story, and informative.
Obviously a children's story, but I enjoyed it too. I liked the informative descriptions of each character throughout the book, and in detail at the end. I liked the message to children not to take creatures out of their natural habitat.
Obviously a children's story, but I enjoyed it too. I liked the informative descriptions of each character throughout the book, and in detail at the end. I liked the message to children not to take creatures out of their natural habitat.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews