Reviews

The Children’s Book Review – The Chameleon Who Couldn’t Change Colors

Read the review on The Children’s Book Review website

Everyone wishes they could be different than they are from time to time, and this beautiful picture book helps readers explore that longing—and learn to appreciate themselves just as they are.
Read More
Frilly the Chameleon is a beautiful green color… but that’s all she is. While all her friends can change colors whenever they want, Frilly stays green no matter how hard she tries. Although her friends assure her that she is perfect exactly as she is, Frilly is determined to try being red—and a pot of red paint helps her achieve her dream. Being red feels wonderful—until it nearly makes her a snake’s dinner. When the rain washes Frilly back to green, she is happy to realize she loves being green after all—red was fun, but green is safer and just as beautiful!

Frilly is relatable in her journey from dissatisfaction to comfort with her own body, but her friends are the real stars of the story, modeling nonjudgmental acceptance and unconditional friendship for readers. The story is illustrated with vibrant full-page acrylic paint collages reminiscent of Eric Carle’s work, with invitingly bold colors and textures for readers to explore.

Whether learning their colors, exploring the concepts of change and identity, or simply sharing a heartwarming story, this book is sure to be a favorite with young readers.
Literary Titan Gives 5 Stars To The Chameleon Who Couldn’t Change Colors

Read the review on the Literary Titan website

In this charming picture book, readers meet Frilly, a determined little chameleon who calls a lush rainforest home. Surrounded by her friends Camy and Oscar, both able to shimmer through endless hues, Frilly stays the same brilliant shade of green. More than anything, she longs to turn red, her favorite color.
Read More
Fueled by curiosity and courage, Frilly embarks on a spirited adventure filled with sunshine, laughter, and one daring plunge into a puddle of red paint. For a fleeting, radiant moment, she feels transformed, until danger slithers close. Mistaken for prey by a hungry snake, Frilly quickly realizes that her true green hue isn’t a flaw at all, it’s her saving grace. Through this heart-pounding yet illuminating encounter, she learns that being herself isn’t just enough; it’s extraordinary.

Marques weaves a story rich in warmth, humor, and gentle wisdom. The Chameleon Who Couldn’t Change Colors is a luminous celebration of individuality and the joy of self-acceptance. Frilly’s emotional journey captures the universal yearning to belong while reminding readers that authenticity shines brighter than conformity.

Camy and Oscar bring texture and tenderness to the tale, standing by Frilly as steadfast friends who help her see her worth. The acrylic collage illustrations are nothing short of stunning, each page alive with color, movement, and tropical vibrancy. Young readers will find themselves pausing to admire the details, immersed in a world that feels both wild and wondrous.

Tucked at the end are fascinating chameleon facts, adding an educational twist to an already captivating story. Heartfelt, imaginative, and visually delightful, Marques’s book belongs in classrooms, libraries, and bedtime rotations alike. It’s an inspiring reminder that our uniqueness is not something to hide, it’s what makes us shine.
Literary Titan Gives 5 Stars to Who Are We, Really?

Read the review on the Literary Titan website

Read the author interview on the Literary Titan website

In Who Are We, Really?, author and illustrator Nielle P. Marques introduces readers to three inseparable tadpoles, Polly, Molly, and Joey. These best friends spend their days swimming, playing, and exploring, yet one question lingers in their young minds: Who are we, really? Each tadpole imagines what they might become: a shark, a turtle, even a dragonfly, sparking a journey of curiosity and wonder that captures the heart.
Read More
This charming story is both tender and thought-provoking. It beautifully captures the innocence of friendship and the excitement of self-discovery. What stands out most is the trio’s closeness, how they support, laugh, and dream together. Their bond gently reminds young readers that friendship is a treasure to be cherished every day.

Marques’s story also celebrates imagination without limits. As Polly, Molly, and Joey dream about their future selves, children are encouraged to do the same, to envision, to wonder, and to create. Each tadpole’s dream opens a door to boundless possibility, inspiring young minds to see beyond the ordinary and embrace their own creativity.

The illustrations, also by Marques, are a delight on every page. Full-page watercolor scenes burst with gentle hues and fluid textures, inviting readers to pause and take in every detail. The visual flow mirrors the rhythm of the story, making the reading experience both soothing and visually captivating.

Who Are We, Really? is a story that will charm readers of all ages. Its playful spirit, heartfelt message, and vivid artistry make it a book children will want to return to again and again, each time discovering something new about friendship, imagination, and the joy of growing up.
Readers’ Favorite 5-Star Review – The Chameleon Who Couldn’t Change Colors

Read the review on the Readers’ Favorite website

The fascinating color-changing power of chameleons turns into a charming, vibrant story in The Chameleon Who Couldn’t Change Colors by author and illustrator Nielle P. Marques. Deep in a lush, tropical forest, Frilly is a chameleon who laments her inability to shift beyond various shades of green. She has the support of close friends who assure her she is perfect just as she is, but she can’t help wanting to be red instead. When she finds a way to fulfill her dream, it leads to a scary encounter that shows Frilly she should be careful what she wishes for. It’s not easy being green, unless that’s exactly what you need! Bolstered by chameleon facts, these interesting creatures and the entire visual cast make for an enchanting story time.
Read More
This gorgeous picture book has a simple story that shines with relatable feelings and meaningful friendship, and just a little bit of danger, but nothing to cause worry to any sensitive young readers. The unconditional support from Frilly’s friends touched me the most, but what truly makes the book pop is the incredible artwork. Done in a collage style using original acrylic paintings, it captures the vibrancy of the rainforest, with an abundance of colorful creatures, from exotic birds and insects to sloths and jaguars, and amazing flora on every page. The Chameleon Who Couldn’t Change Colors by Nielle P. Marques matches Eric Carle’s classic children’s books in visual appeal, no mean feat. A visual treat for parents and children alike, it absolutely deserves a place on bookshelves filled with unique art and genuine wonder.

Reviewed by Matt Lebois for Readers’ Favorite
Readers’ Favorite 5-Star Review – Who Are We, Really?

Read the review on the Readers’ Favorite website

Who Are We, Really? by Nielle P. Marques tells a sweet and meaningful story about three young tadpoles named Polly, Molly, and Joey who wonder what they’ll grow up to be. They imagine becoming scary sharks or wise old turtles, or maybe something completely different. As they swim around meeting other water creatures, they learn that growing up isn’t just about changing: it’s about being true to who you are. The beautiful images create a magical underwater world where young readers can think about big life questions through small adventures. The story mixes real facts about nature with lessons about growing up, making it both fun and helpful for children to learn about themselves. This imaginative story connects with the natural curiosity that all children have about who they are and who they might become.
Read More
Author Nielle P. Marques combines artistic talent with a deep understanding of how children think and feel. I was touched by how she takes big ideas about finding out who you are and explains them in simple ways that children can understand. Her handmade pictures, created with watercolors and paper collages, create a special look that perfectly matches the story’s messages, making each page exciting to explore. She balances fun moments with deeper meanings, which makes the book enjoyable for children while giving parents and teachers good topics to discuss with them. The story moves at a gentle pace with carefully chosen simple words, making it both calming and interesting for young readers. She captures how children wonder about the world while asking big questions about who they are. The characters feel real and relatable, making it easy for children to see themselves in the story. The book creates natural opportunities for conversations between adults and children about identity, change, and staying true to yourself. Overall, I enthusiastically recommend Who Are We, Really? as a wonderful addition to any child’s bookshelf as it perfectly combines entertainment with gentle wisdom about growing up.

Reviewed by K.C. Finn for Readers’ Favorite
Readers’ Favorite 5-Star Review – Greeny

Read the review on the Readers’ Favorite website

Greeny by Nielle P. Marques is a unique and entertaining story inviting children to experience what life is like for Greeny, a former caterpillar, now tucked away in his cocoon. The story has a warm and personal feel to it because Greeny has so many friends who care about him and watch over him while he’s in the cocoon. His ability to communicate with his friends from inside his enclosure allows readers to feel like they, too, are right there inside with him. They experience the personal ways that Greeny’s friends bring him comfort and companionship and even protection when most needed. I found this aspect of the story to be a wonderful tool for teaching children how they can help their friends through situations in life; when just being there for someone is the very best expression of love and caring.

Read More
I especially liked the coloring book or hand-painted appearance of each drawing. The scenes feel as if each one has just been freshly painted or colored, and I could easily see children, each with their box of crayons or paints, happily filling in each page. The story ended in such a way that I feel as if Greeny is about to embark on a life that will lead to great adventures captured in future books. Thank you, Nielle P. Marques, for Greeny’s wonderful story that teaches children not only about the transformation of the butterfly but also about how friendship can be a powerful cocoon when it needs to be.

Reviewed by Kathy Golden for Readers’ Favorite