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Chocolate Me!
Now available as a board book, this tender story of self-acceptance will resonate with readers of all ages. When a boy is teased for looking different than the other kids--his skin is darker, his hair curlier--he tells his mother he wishes he could be more like everyone else. And she helps him to see how beautiful he really, truly is.
Here is a much-needed picture book that encourages all people, especially kids, to love themselves.
Here is a much-needed picture book that encourages all people, especially kids, to love themselves.
32 pages, Board Book
First published September 27, 2011
20 people are currently reading
558 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 237 reviews
April 7, 2014
I am literally giving this book 4 stars because of all the self-righteous white women claiming it's racist. You don't get to decide what's racist, folks.
That being said, I hate comparing skin colors to food, but if it comforts bullied children, ok. Part of me thinks I would use this book after teasing has occurred (because it does get quite mean), but in reality child of color are bullied at an early age and I should probably bring it up before it either : a) happens at all- which happens so much earlier than most people expect- or b) so they feel ok talking about when it does occur.
Despite the sad topic, the book was bright, adorable, and decent.
That being said, I hate comparing skin colors to food, but if it comforts bullied children, ok. Part of me thinks I would use this book after teasing has occurred (because it does get quite mean), but in reality child of color are bullied at an early age and I should probably bring it up before it either : a) happens at all- which happens so much earlier than most people expect- or b) so they feel ok talking about when it does occur.
Despite the sad topic, the book was bright, adorable, and decent.
December 8, 2012
This is a tough book. I know why people don't like it: it is really hard to read out loud. I found myself editing a little bit of it, it was so harsh. In it a little "chocolate" boy is sometimes innocently and sometimes meanly made to feel bad about his physical features as a black child. So if your children have never been asked questions like the little boy in the book, or if they themselves are not black and have not asked questions about skin color yet, it might feel "racist" or "destroying their innocence" by putting ideas in their heads about skin colors and starting them off with a one chil's negative experiences about his own skin color.
But here is what I liked: it was very obvious that the author, a chocolate (hunk of a man) was asked questions and made fun of like this when he was a kid. He was teased for his teeth, his hair, his skin, his name. He was self conscious even when the other kids weren't saying anything. This book felt like it came from a honest and real place. It was not far fetched.
I used this book as a tool when one of my brown children claimed to not like her skin. It was a horrible moment. And this book was a part of triage for working on some big feelings about self acceptance which is a journey that will go on and on. I liked that it tackled head on the specific things that come with being from African decent that can make a kid feel different or self conscious. It got specific. And some kids, like mine, needed that.
I think if you are using this book to introduce race to your child, I could see why it feels negative and maybe shouldn't be the first one you check out. But for us, it was helpful as it was used to directly address my child's already present insecurities. In this respect it was fantastic. The message of chocolate being wonderful, beautiful delicious and something to embrace TOTALLY helped my kiddo. It was a powerful book.
I don't think it should be dismissed just because it seems mean. The pure fact is, black kids are asked these questions or teased in this way and I think it can be a valuable read in the right place and time.
But here is what I liked: it was very obvious that the author, a chocolate (hunk of a man) was asked questions and made fun of like this when he was a kid. He was teased for his teeth, his hair, his skin, his name. He was self conscious even when the other kids weren't saying anything. This book felt like it came from a honest and real place. It was not far fetched.
I used this book as a tool when one of my brown children claimed to not like her skin. It was a horrible moment. And this book was a part of triage for working on some big feelings about self acceptance which is a journey that will go on and on. I liked that it tackled head on the specific things that come with being from African decent that can make a kid feel different or self conscious. It got specific. And some kids, like mine, needed that.
I think if you are using this book to introduce race to your child, I could see why it feels negative and maybe shouldn't be the first one you check out. But for us, it was helpful as it was used to directly address my child's already present insecurities. In this respect it was fantastic. The message of chocolate being wonderful, beautiful delicious and something to embrace TOTALLY helped my kiddo. It was a powerful book.
I don't think it should be dismissed just because it seems mean. The pure fact is, black kids are asked these questions or teased in this way and I think it can be a valuable read in the right place and time.
April 26, 2016
"Chocolate Me!" is about a little boy who is being made fun of because of the color of his skin. I love this book. I would use this book because it incorporates rhyming words, comparison, and provides confidence within students.
I love this book definitely will be a book in my classroom bookshelf. Great illustrations. This book is great for teaching younger children to appreciate the way that they are and that they do not have to fit in or look like everyone else. This book is great for all ages, because it gets the message across and the message is very easy and clear. The author, Taye Diggs, wrote this book for his son. Me knowing that he wrote this book for his son, definitely does not make the way the black child is illustrated racist, because his child may look like this and he wanted to have something that best look like his to make it personal. I love that it has a bit of rhyming words and compares the student skin color to food, which in the book makes the child happy. In the book his mom compares his skin color to chocolate, well most people love chocolate. This book is relatable. Genres: fictional, diversity, and helps with depression.
I love this book definitely will be a book in my classroom bookshelf. Great illustrations. This book is great for teaching younger children to appreciate the way that they are and that they do not have to fit in or look like everyone else. This book is great for all ages, because it gets the message across and the message is very easy and clear. The author, Taye Diggs, wrote this book for his son. Me knowing that he wrote this book for his son, definitely does not make the way the black child is illustrated racist, because his child may look like this and he wanted to have something that best look like his to make it personal. I love that it has a bit of rhyming words and compares the student skin color to food, which in the book makes the child happy. In the book his mom compares his skin color to chocolate, well most people love chocolate. This book is relatable. Genres: fictional, diversity, and helps with depression.
July 20, 2023
Awww! I just loved what his Mom says to him after he has experienced beening mocked by other boys outside. Taye Diggs has authored an extremely Sweeeet way to illuminate this world to embrace differences beginning with our children. Packed with Sugary Cuteness! 🧁
August 1, 2022
A boy (who remains nameless) finds joy in being different from his peers. Great message, good ending and cute T-shirts.
July 26, 2019
The protagonist of this debut picture-book from actor Taye Diggs finds himself the object of ridicule and bullying because of the dark brown color of his skin. The things his peers say - comparing his skin to dirt, commenting on the texture of his hair, and the width of his nose - are very distressing, and begin to make him doubt his self worth. Fortunately his mother is there to give him a better way of looking at the matter: he has skin like chocolate, and to her he is every bit as sweet.
Although fully in agreement with the goal here, to reinforce positive self image in darker-skinned children, especially those who have experienced racist bullying or comments, I have to confess that I didn't find Chocolate Me! particularly well-written, or that textually engaging. I tend to avoid children's books penned by celebrities, but we had this one at work, and I found the cover artwork by Shane W. Evans quite appealing. All in all, I would say that this is one that might be helpful for some children, if they are experiencing harassment similar to the main character, but I would understand perfectly if parents decided that its tone was too harsh for their children, especially if they have not yet had the misfortune to become aware of these issues.
Although fully in agreement with the goal here, to reinforce positive self image in darker-skinned children, especially those who have experienced racist bullying or comments, I have to confess that I didn't find Chocolate Me! particularly well-written, or that textually engaging. I tend to avoid children's books penned by celebrities, but we had this one at work, and I found the cover artwork by Shane W. Evans quite appealing. All in all, I would say that this is one that might be helpful for some children, if they are experiencing harassment similar to the main character, but I would understand perfectly if parents decided that its tone was too harsh for their children, especially if they have not yet had the misfortune to become aware of these issues.
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May 13, 2012Man, this is a tough one to decide about. I like that Taye Diggs and Shane Evans teamed up to create an honest and thoughtful book about being African American. That being said, I cannot ever imagine reading this book to a group of students.
A young, unnamed African American boy is teased for the color of his skin, the shape of his nose, the texture of his hair, and the brightness of his teeth. His mother helps him realize his inner and outer beauty, building his confidence and self-esteem. He is thrilled and proud to realize that being chocolate is wonderful
I think this is a book for guidance counselors or parents to use for children facing this type of situation. Kids, including African American kids, are teased for all kinds of reasons and this is a book that will help them understand that. But for kids not facing this particular situation, or kids who don't feel the way the young boy feels, this story could inadvertently invite instead of solve problems. Proceed with caution with this title; it is not one that I would purchase for the general school library collection, though I believe that it can have value if used in a thoughtful, purposeful way.
A young, unnamed African American boy is teased for the color of his skin, the shape of his nose, the texture of his hair, and the brightness of his teeth. His mother helps him realize his inner and outer beauty, building his confidence and self-esteem. He is thrilled and proud to realize that being chocolate is wonderful
I think this is a book for guidance counselors or parents to use for children facing this type of situation. Kids, including African American kids, are teased for all kinds of reasons and this is a book that will help them understand that. But for kids not facing this particular situation, or kids who don't feel the way the young boy feels, this story could inadvertently invite instead of solve problems. Proceed with caution with this title; it is not one that I would purchase for the general school library collection, though I believe that it can have value if used in a thoughtful, purposeful way.
November 5, 2015
Daring, fun, and hard-hitting. I adored this picture book more than I possibly imagined going in!
September 25, 2012
Honestly I would never give a book such low ratings but I felt as though this book was racist which I did not appreciate. When reading the first couple of pages I was taken back by the message I thought I was reading and thought that the book would get better but to my disappointed I believe that the message got worse. The majority of the pages in this book depict the ways that other kids make fun of the African American main character. For example, "Your skin is brown like dirt. Does it hurt to wash off?" "Chocolate me." I believe that teaching diversity to all children in school is very important but this book certainly does not come across as a book that appropriately depicts this message. The ending of it was better and actually said "It felt so good, I could tast it. Why? 'Cause I am - chocolate!" Cute ending but I received mixed messages while reading it and i feel as though this would only be worse for young children. The illustrations by Shane W. Evans are cute, well colored and show the detail in the storyline. I enjoyed how some pages have more illustrations and details then others depending on what the current message is on the page. Overall, I will not have this book in my future classroom but I don't think it is terrible just a different form in which the book was written and I interpreted it as. Another issue that bugged me a bit was the use of grammar and words such as "fro" were used which I believe can be discriminating to African Americans and others. Not a terrible book but there are things in which I would have written the book differntly and reconsidered some words and sentences that were used.
February 19, 2020
This book focuses on a young Black boy who is teased because of his chocolate skins and his difference from his white counterparts. As a result, he feels different and less of himself because of this. After a conversation with his mother, he begins to feel special and starts to appreciate his rich skin tone and Black features.
While I like the overall message of this book, I am not impressed. This book would have been enhanced if it mentioned how this young Black boy could combat these negative messages and interactions with his white peers. I was also disappointed that he returned to these same friends offering them chocolate cupcakes and smiles after he was ostracized and made to feel less than. While young readers may not pick up on the need to recognize when you have experienced when you are made to feel othered or criticized, the book should have addressed how one can respond to this. At the least, he should not have went back to these same friends without bringing their hurtful actions to light.
While I like the overall message of this book, I am not impressed. This book would have been enhanced if it mentioned how this young Black boy could combat these negative messages and interactions with his white peers. I was also disappointed that he returned to these same friends offering them chocolate cupcakes and smiles after he was ostracized and made to feel less than. While young readers may not pick up on the need to recognize when you have experienced when you are made to feel othered or criticized, the book should have addressed how one can respond to this. At the least, he should not have went back to these same friends without bringing their hurtful actions to light.
November 3, 2011
I am torn on this book.
On one side I feel this is a great book for children who are dark skinned. It does teach them everyone is different and you should love yourself.
On the other side, I feel this book can be considered racist. I did show this to a friend of mine who is African American. She said she does see where this can be a good book, however it does have racial slurs in it. If a child has never heard these before, why put it in their heads? She also said she would never let her niece read it.
AR 2.1
On one side I feel this is a great book for children who are dark skinned. It does teach them everyone is different and you should love yourself.
On the other side, I feel this book can be considered racist. I did show this to a friend of mine who is African American. She said she does see where this can be a good book, however it does have racial slurs in it. If a child has never heard these before, why put it in their heads? She also said she would never let her niece read it.
AR 2.1
May 21, 2012
Lovely book about accepting the skin you are in. Beautiful illustrations also. My son loved this book
February 16, 2015
Read this for Black Histoty Month Story Time! It is a wonderful book and I was able to relate to it's story. Everyone is different! It's our differences that make us special! :)
May 30, 2021
Featured in a grandma reads session.
An endearing book bringing a message to kids and everyone that "othering" people is hurtful. Often our play and humor depends on sharply, cleverly defining outlier qualities and honing in on them is a way to create a bully team, the ones who mock and laugh. Laughers, who are made up of a Comic/Bully/Loudest Voice and an Audience (who may or may not like Comic/Bully/Loudest Voice), find their power increases if they side up with the majority and from there an Other (that last man standing - the one they are pointing at) has been created. We do it all the time. Every day. In our macro communities and our micro communities.
The brilliance of this little book was that the author pointed all this out with pictures and simple words. Readers were shown that our differences are good and natural. We love and EXPECT differences in our cultural, culinary, and life preferences. It was a clever reminder that our human differences add texture, beauty, flavor and a healthy variety to our communities, big and small. But most of all by accepting all humanity as equals we grow our tolerance, love and ability to compromise, collaborate, play and be happy together.
An endearing book bringing a message to kids and everyone that "othering" people is hurtful. Often our play and humor depends on sharply, cleverly defining outlier qualities and honing in on them is a way to create a bully team, the ones who mock and laugh. Laughers, who are made up of a Comic/Bully/Loudest Voice and an Audience (who may or may not like Comic/Bully/Loudest Voice), find their power increases if they side up with the majority and from there an Other (that last man standing - the one they are pointing at) has been created. We do it all the time. Every day. In our macro communities and our micro communities.
The brilliance of this little book was that the author pointed all this out with pictures and simple words. Readers were shown that our differences are good and natural. We love and EXPECT differences in our cultural, culinary, and life preferences. It was a clever reminder that our human differences add texture, beauty, flavor and a healthy variety to our communities, big and small. But most of all by accepting all humanity as equals we grow our tolerance, love and ability to compromise, collaborate, play and be happy together.
January 21, 2020
I went to an MLK celbration where this book was being read to the children. I am so glad that my child was not paying attention. Why put thoughts of inferiority into a child, when they never even considered that their skin "looks like dirt" or that their nose is "big and wide". No one has ever said anything close to this to my five year old, so putting these things on his mind seems counterproductive and emotionally damaging. If this were to ever happen to him, then I guess the book COULD be useful, but I would never want to suggest it to him.
October 5, 2015
I didn't know Taye Diggs had a children's book out...I was pleasantly surprised when I saw it in my local library. I struggle to find children's books that feature characters that look like my children so seeing this book made me giddy....and the story was about the character learning to love himself....Chocolate is Sweet! Chocolate is Smooth! Chocolate is beautiful and delicious...Chocolate is Me!
September 14, 2011
Good story about learning to love yourself. If I were chocolate, I believe I would eat myself.
January 19, 2020
What a sweet, necessary, and powerful book! When one young boy struggles with his appearance in the midst of all his white and light-skinned friends, he begins to dislike his chocolate skin. But mom reminds him that chocolate is one of the best flavors of all--it's classic and delicious, leading to this young boy remembering just why he loves himself, and showing his friends that they need to do better at being kinder. With fun, bright illustrations that exude love, Taye Diggs' and Shane Evans' Chocolate Me! is a board book to keep and cherish.
Review cross-listed here!
Review cross-listed here!
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October 27, 2017Chocolate Me! by Taye Diggs is so great. I actually recommend this be a part of everyone's classroom library. It's a fictional story about a dark skin boy who gets picked on because of the color of his skin, the texture of his hair, and how big some of the physical features of his face are. He starts to feel uncomfortable in the skin he's in until his mother helps the beauty in his chocolate skin. This book is so refreshing and uplifting for people of color. The author is also a dark skin male so he could related to all aspects of the book. The illustrations were bright and beautiful. Every page was well drawn out. The text was easy to read for all grade levels especially the younger kids.
July 28, 2020
I am not sure what to think of this book. I thought it could be great; a kid bullied for who he is and him overcoming that, bullies realizing what they did, et cetera. That's just not really what happened.
The book is very clear with the message ''love yourself'' and that truly makes me happy, but I just wish there was a little more ''be kind to each other'' in the book as well.
The book is very clear with the message ''love yourself'' and that truly makes me happy, but I just wish there was a little more ''be kind to each other'' in the book as well.
June 4, 2018
A book about race and how other children bullied him for his differences. It teaches children to accept everyone no matter how different they are. It took the boy to see and accept his differences in order to teach others he is just like them. Great illustrations.
September 23, 2021
Ok spoken word kids book 💚💚💚
February 9, 2023
Love how this book encourages embracing all that we are and what makes us different, special, and unique
August 15, 2018
A fun self acceptance book. Who doesn't like chocolate?
September 7, 2018
Chocolate Me is a great children's book that teaches kids of color to love their skin and features they were born with. I loved the artwork every page was colorful. I even enjoyed the shade of brown used for the main character. I have a son who is 5 years old who I think will learn a lot from the book. I'm teaching my son even though you may look different you are just as smart as all the other children. I want my son to grow up loving his brown skin and where he came from. But overall I really enjoyed this story and the message behind the story. I'll recommend this story to any child of color and their families it's a fun read which a good meaning.
September 29, 2021
This book is about a black boy who is uncomfortable in his own skin. He wants to be like other people,but through learning about who he is, he becomes more comfortable. I would use this in my read-aloud time, as I want to show children that we all are unique and special I our own ways!
July 8, 2020
Chocolate Me! by Taye Diggs, illustrated by Shane W. Evans. BOARD BOOK. Square Fish Publisher (Macmillan). $8. 9781250068019
BUYING ADVISORY: Pre-K - ESSENTIAL
AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH
Chocolate Me! explores the much needed topic of acceptance and appreciation for one’s own heritage and traditions. Diggs and Evans bring us a young boy who is teased for looking different from the other kids in his neighborhood. His skin is darker, his hair is taller, his nose is wider. As the little boy shares his sadness with his mother, she helps him to see how truly beautiful he is. The boy in turn shares with his friends that although he is different he is very proud to be Chocolate Me!
We loved Chocolate Me!! The way in which the little boy’s mother turns a tough situation into a fun learning experience is brilliant. She explains that he has “skin like velvet fudge frosting mixed in a bowl and cotton candy hair so soft to the touch”. And a smile that makes her “so happy she could cry.” The more mother explains his differences as unique and wonderful, the more the boy realizes how special he truly is. His “Chocolate Me! t-shirt is proudly worn as he shares fresh baked chocolate cupcakes with his friends. This is a heart-warming tale that can be used in homes and classrooms alike to teach about equality and self- acceptance and self-esteem.
Reviewer: SL
https://kissthebookjr.blogspot.com/20...
BUYING ADVISORY: Pre-K - ESSENTIAL
AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH
Chocolate Me! explores the much needed topic of acceptance and appreciation for one’s own heritage and traditions. Diggs and Evans bring us a young boy who is teased for looking different from the other kids in his neighborhood. His skin is darker, his hair is taller, his nose is wider. As the little boy shares his sadness with his mother, she helps him to see how truly beautiful he is. The boy in turn shares with his friends that although he is different he is very proud to be Chocolate Me!
We loved Chocolate Me!! The way in which the little boy’s mother turns a tough situation into a fun learning experience is brilliant. She explains that he has “skin like velvet fudge frosting mixed in a bowl and cotton candy hair so soft to the touch”. And a smile that makes her “so happy she could cry.” The more mother explains his differences as unique and wonderful, the more the boy realizes how special he truly is. His “Chocolate Me! t-shirt is proudly worn as he shares fresh baked chocolate cupcakes with his friends. This is a heart-warming tale that can be used in homes and classrooms alike to teach about equality and self- acceptance and self-esteem.
Reviewer: SL
https://kissthebookjr.blogspot.com/20...
July 10, 2019
This board book version of the earlier picture book carries a positive message of self-acceptance and positive self-esteem. While some of the insulting comments directed at the narrator about his teeth, nose, skin and hair are quite hurtful, they're also just the type of cruel remarks others thoughtlessly make toward someone who seems a little different from them. Fortunately for him and for readers, this young boy has a loving mother who quickly provides reassurance and urges him to love himself as he is. I loved how she puts a positive slant on all the physical traits that have been impugned. Those brightly-colored illustrations and his smiling face on the last page make his journey worthwhile. While there are those who would be concerned about the meanness on display early on in the book's pages, it seems to me that this message of empowerment overshadows that aspect of the book. After all, the boy doesn't hide in his room to avoid those insulting remarks, but goes on outside to play with a renewed sense of pride in his own identity. Not only will this book provide reassurance for some youngsters, but it could offer a stepping off place for discussion about how to treat others who are different from us or even roleplay what the boy's friends could have done. I noted that his mother is standing by for support when he joins the other neighborhood youngsters.
February 22, 2015
Chocolate Me! by Taye Diggs is a very cute book that deals with the fact that the main character is black while most of his peers are not. this book is great for ages 4-8, and it teaches wonderful lessons all while having colorful and amusing illustrations and great dialogue. I personally loved this book because it deals with such a big issue but makes it lighthearted enough for kids to read and even possibly relate to. I love how Diggs writes this and is able to show that the little boy is clearly bothered and upset, but he does it in a way that won't bring down the mood of the reader/tone of the story.
This is a wonderful book to use when teaching about not only race, but things every child, no matter the age, deals with, such as wanting to fit in, self-acceptance, and self-esteem. I would read this aloud to students and make it an obvious point while doing so that they are all unique, and that their differences should not make them feel ashamed or embarrassed, but instead be something they embrace and like.
This is a wonderful book to use when teaching about not only race, but things every child, no matter the age, deals with, such as wanting to fit in, self-acceptance, and self-esteem. I would read this aloud to students and make it an obvious point while doing so that they are all unique, and that their differences should not make them feel ashamed or embarrassed, but instead be something they embrace and like.
September 3, 2017
I'm a preschool teacher and I chose to read this book to my class because we were having some issues with excluding children based on the color of their skin. I had one child who didn't even want to wear clothing that was brown because she told her mother that she didn't want it to make her look like she had brown skin. Is the language used in this book a little harsh? Yes. But it's also realistic. I love that Taye Diggs didn't sugar coat anything. Obviously I'm not speaking from experience, but I have witnessed things like this being said first hand by children as young as 3 years old. That's why this story is so important. The lesson here is to treat everyone equally. As long as you are pointing out that the things being said in this book are not okay, then your child will pick up on that and they will learn the proper way to treat others, no matter the color of their skin or the style of their hair.
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