Moody Judy Makes a Change
Judy's scales have a mind of their own. Will this chameleon ever master the art of camouflage . . . ?
It’s June 1st, and school will soon be out for the summer!
But, there is still plenty to learn . . .
For instance, did you know a large group of lizards is called a “lounge”?
And, a group of chameleons is known as a “camp”!
This month’s story is all about chameleons, well known for their ability to camouflage their scales.
Camouflage is a fancy word for changing colours to adapt to ones surroundings.
But, this tale is also about adapting to the eb and flow of our emotions, and sometimes unpredictable moods!
Enter Judy, the star of this month’s B-Side Story . . .
Judy is just too moody to keep her colourful scales under control. How can she learn to manage the frenzy of her feelings, and fit in with the other chameleons?
This is a short tale, but a cute one.
And, since this story is all about COLOUR I decided to do my first-ever, full-colour B-Side illustrations.
If your little ones are learning the colours, this story also offers a lesson in pink, green, purple and blue! All the colours of the rainbow, really.
So, get ready to lay back and “lounge” with this lizard tale . . .
Click the play button below to listen to Moody Judy Makes a Change . . .
Moody Judy Makes a Change
By caitlin nicole evans
Dedicated to Rose - which is ALSO a COLOUR! Even when I’m a bit of a “Moody Judy”, you always love me anyways. Thank you for reading my words . . .
In the tropical jungle, bright and green, there lived a whole lounge of lizards.
Including a large camp of colourful chameleons.
These chameleons had a very special gift.
It’s kind of their claim to jungle fame.
Chameleons could transform their scales into various colours to match the landscape around them.
By blending into their surroundings, these lizards could rest soundly knowing they were hidden from predators.
Plus, camouflage is pretty awesome.
From their heads to their tales,
they shifted their scales,
and it was alchemy at its finest!
When the flowers bloom fuchsia, these lizards turned pink.
Amidst the mud, they transformed to brown.
Against grains of sand, chameleons turned to a soft, golden hue.
All colours of the rainbow could be matched by their scales.
Which is why it was tricky for humans to spot them.
More importantly, it was tricky for certain creatures to find them.
Creatures looking to turn a chameleon into a very crunchy snack.
Like anacondas . . .
Their claim to jungle fame is being able to swallow chameleons whole!
Fortunately, chameleons didn’t have to worry.
They had their magical scales . . .
Yes, it was great to be a chameleon.
Except it wasn’t so wonderful for one chameleon.
Her name was Judy.
Judy had a reputation for being . . .
well . . .
moody!
She couldn’t help it.
She really wore her heart on her sleeve –
if chameleons wore t-shirts.
When Judy felt something she REALLY felt it.
Watching the yellow sun set over the tropical trees made Judy swoon with joy.
When her brother Jude thought it was funny to eat her homework, Judy would get very, very angry.
And when a poor fluttering butterfly was swallowed by a tree frog, Judy could not help but feel a little bit blue . . .
The problem was, Judy didn’t just FEEL blue . . .
She TURNED blue!
And this was a very big problem for a chameleon.
When hiding in the blades of grass, it was imperative to turn green.
Among the rocks, Judy knew she had to let her scales turn grey.
Anything to stay hidden from all those anacondas!
Unfortunately, Judy could not always control her scales.
Rather then focusing on her surroundings, Judy had a tendency to get stuck inside her head.
She would think what it would be like to be swallowed up by a snake, and suddenly she would turn black with fear against the bright green blades of grass.
Or, she might be hidden in a field of red flowers, and suddenly she would be distracted. Birds chirping would cheer her up, and her scales would shift to the cheeriest pink.
It was all rather inconvenient, and her family and friends were beginning to lose their patience.
“Judy,” said Jude. “If you can’t blend in, we will all be eaten!”
Judy knew her brother was right.
He might be annoying sometimes, but he was excellent at hiding.
She began to pay a bit more attention to her scales.
She noticed that when she was feeling bored, their hue turned dim and beige.
When she was really, really happy her scales glistened a sparkly white.
After noticing her moods, Judy began to soak in her surroundings.
Afterall, this was the problem.
She couldn’t flit from one colour to the next - she had to stay hidden no matter where they were in the jungle.
So, she moved among some long, green leaves.
She tried to keep her feelings under control, and change her scales to match the leafy, branch.
“Be green. Be green. Be green,” thought Judy.
But, the pressure was much too stressful.
And stress turned Judy . . .
ORANGE!
Judy felt like it was impossible.
There had to be a way to hide.
But . . .
Should she really hide her feelings?
Was she too sensitive?
Too strange?
Too . . .well . . . moody?
Judy began to feel disheartened and drifted into a dreary, dull shade of grey.
She stopped trying to change.
She stopped thinking about her scales.
She did not think about colours.
Or snakes.
Or butterflies.
Homework, or little brothers.
She did not think about being the odd chameleon out.
She simply let her mind get very quiet.
She listened to the breeze flutter through the tall green stems of grass.
She listened to the beat of the butterflies wings, and the small pause in between.
And she paused too.
Still on the outside AND the inside.
Her toes weren’t twitching, her mind wasn’t distracted, and her scales weren’t shifting.
Naturally, she felt calm and her mind became clear.
The gloomy grey seeped out of her skin with ease.
Judy’s scales transformed like they never had before.
Once her feelings came to pass . . .
Judy turned . . .
AS CLEAR AS GLASS!
She looked down and saw her transparent toes.
The tip of her crystal clear nose.
Judy was free to roam the rainforest practically invisible.
Now, THIS was the greatest camouflage ever!
She had learned the very best way to stay hidden, and best of all she would not have to try to blend in at all.
She could let the snakes frighten her.
Let the butterflies bring her joy.
Judy could feel happy, sad, and even mad - especially when Jude was being a pain in the tail.
But, her feelings were a little more predictable now that she was paying a bit more attention.
And even though her scales still turned all sorts of different colours, she could let those colours drift away.
Which made her friends and family very happy.
After all, they were all safe and sound with Judy very well hidden, invisible against the grey rocks, green leaves, and pale, purple flowers.
And . . .
She also brightened up the day, leaving behind traces of rainbows in the big, blue sky high up over the great, green jungle.
The End . . .
Reading Recommendation: There may be a few new words for kids in this story - alchemy, transparent, etc. When ever I come across a word I don’t know, I double check what it means. Ask your parents, Google, or a good old classic dictionary. My favourite for kids - Merriam-Webster’s Elementary Dictionary. It focuses on “STEM” vocabulary in science and tech, and offers root words and history, synonyms, and lots of illustrations!
But, for some interesting AND fun reading this month’s recommended book is “The Colour Monster”, by Anna Llenas. Like Moody Judy, this is a book featuring a rainbow of colour, and also focuses on the importance of emotions. It is great for introducing different colours into new reader’s vocabulary, and also helps young kids make sense of their feelings. Including the most wonderful feeling of all – LOVE! I really enjoy a good monster story, and this is one of my favourites. The mixed-media art, whimsical text, and heart-warming message in this book gives me all the FEELS! Enjoy, with your own “little monsters” . . .
One last reading recommendation?
My book, of course!
Head to the link below to check out Cosette Goes to the County, and order your copy, or message me at caitlinnicoleevans@gmail.com for details . . .
Thanks for all the support and
HAPPY READING!