Crafty Chameleon: An African Animal Tale

CRAFTY CHAMELEON is a timeless African folktale set in the vast plains of Kenya. It is retold by Mwenye Hadithi, with striking watercolour illustrations by Adrienne Kennaway. In this clever and humorous story, Chameleon faces daily torment from Leopard and Crocodile, who mock his small size and bully him without mercy. But what they don't realise is that Chameleon has more than just camouflage on his side, he has wit, the help of friends, and patience. With quiet cunning, he hatches a plan that ties both bullies together, teaching them a lesson they won't soon forget.

The tale not only entertains but also gently explains why chameleons change colour and disappear when danger is near. With its lively rhythm and playful moral, it celebrates intelligence over strength, showing that even the smallest creatures can outsmart the fiercest foes.

Part of the African Animal Tales series, CRAFTY CHAMELEON was awarded the Kate Greenaway Medal for Kennaway's glowing illustrations which capture the drama and humour of the African landscape, bringing every scene vividly to life.

It combines folklore, gentle humour, and bold artwork to share Africa's storytelling traditions with young readers across the world. Perfect for reading aloud, for use in classrooms exploring folktales and morals, or as a treasured bedtime story, this much-loved tale has delighted children and adults for decades.

Mwenye Hadithi is the pen name of Bruce Hobson, a Kenyan-born author with a lifelong love of Africa - its wildlife, landscapes, and rich tradition of folklore. Through his acclaimed African Animal Tales series, Mwenye Hadithi introduced timeless fables from East Africa to readers around the world, blending humour, moral lessons, and an authentic storytelling voice.His much-loved tales began as bedtime stories for his daughter and her friends, evolving into a collection of picture books that have become modern classics of children's literature, read in homes, schools, and libraries worldwide. Known for his mischievous character, and flair for entertaining with magic tricks, impressions, and tall tales, Hobson captured the spirit of the oral traditions he so admired. His pseudonym, Mwenye Hadithi, meaning "storyteller" in Swahili, honours the generations of African narrators who came before him, and those who will follow.Beyond his literary work, Hobson was dedicated to horticulture, wildlife and conservation, with close ties to the Born Free Foundation, reflecting his lifelong respect for animals and the natural world.

Adrienne Kennaway is an award-winning illustrator celebrated for her vibrant and expressive watercolours. Born in New Zealand and raised in Kenya, she studied art in London and Rome, and has travelled all over the world. She has always loved nature and animals, and brings first-hand knowledge of African landscapes and wildlife to her art. Her work on the African Animal Tales series earned widespread acclaim for capturing the character and humour of the stories while authentically portraying African animals and Kenyan settings with enticing detail. Her understanding of colour and movement helps bring Mwenye Hadithi's vibrant stories to visual life.