Children's Book Review: Chocolate Me!

Chocolate Me!
Written by:  Taye Diggs
Illustrated by:  Shane W. Evans
Published by: Feiwel & Friends, 2011
40 pages

from goodreads.com:
The 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.

For years before they both achieved acclaim in their respective professions, good friends Taye Diggs and Shane W. Evans wanted to collaborate on Chocolate Me!, a book based on experiences of feeling different and trying to fit in as kids. Now, both men are fathers and see more than ever the need for a picture book that encourages all people, especially kids, to love themselves.

* This book is written by Taye Diggs, actor, currently starring in the ABC drama, Private Practice. The main character in this story is five years old, just like my daughter.  He doesn't like his skin, his hair, or his teeth, among many things, because he is teased about them by some boys in his neighborhood.  Throughout the story he calls himself Chocolate Me with a sad frown on his face.  Luckily, with the help of his mother he is able to see how beautiful he is and can embrace calling himself Chocolate Me! 

I liked that this book encourages the reader to love what makes them different from others.  As I read the book I asked my kids if the other boys were being nice and they were able to see how being mean made the other boy feel.  We really try to instill in our kids that everyone is different and special in their own way (the way they look, what they can do, etc.).  I think this book helped to support that with our kids.

Family Rating: one thumb up.