Bibliographic Citation:
Diggs, Taye. Chocolate Me! Illustrated by Shane Evans. New York, NY: Feiwel and Friends, 2011. 36 p. ISBN 978-0-312-60326-7.
Diggs, Taye. Chocolate Me! Illustrated by Shane Evans. New York, NY: Feiwel and Friends, 2011. 36 p. ISBN 978-0-312-60326-7.
Awards/Selection Lists:
None
Format Examined:
Hard cover
Annotation:
This book, through the story of a young, African American child, represents differences in race, accepting one's own identity, and accepting others' for who they are.
Personal Reaction:
The combination of the rhyming text with the description of the child's skin color as "chocolate" from his own perspective offers a little levity to a serious issue. Children who might feel different from other children around them will identify with the main character in this book. The ending of the story demonstrates how our differences can be a positive thing.
Age Recommendation:
I would recommend this book for children 4-7 years of age.
Themes/Issues:
Diversity, self-acceptance, self-esteem, self-identity
Early Literacy Skill Value:
Letter Knowledge:
Letter knowledge is not a direct focus of this book.
Narrative Skills:
Children are invited to become part of the narration of the story through the repetition of the title throughout the book, as well as through the rhyming text.
Phonological Awareness:
Phonological awareness is demonstrated in this book through rhyming phrases that are a part of the story.
Print Awareness:
The text of the story is printed on each page in spaces that are open of illustrations. The color of the font is changed on pages where the print may be more difficult to see. The repeated phrase, which is also the title of the book, "Chocolate me" is printed in brown, larger text, drawing attention to the words each time.
Print Motivation:
The rhythmic, rhyming text of this book make it a fun read. The method of telling the story from the perspective of a young African American child who feels different from other children in his community provides a realistic view of the way that a young child might feel, and children who identify with this character will enjoy reading this book.
Vocabulary:
Vocabulary in this book deals with skin color, physical attributes, and self-acceptance.
Author/ Illustrator Website:
http://chocolatemetoo.com/
Letter knowledge is not a direct focus of this book.
Narrative Skills:
Children are invited to become part of the narration of the story through the repetition of the title throughout the book, as well as through the rhyming text.
Phonological Awareness:
Phonological awareness is demonstrated in this book through rhyming phrases that are a part of the story.
Print Awareness:
The text of the story is printed on each page in spaces that are open of illustrations. The color of the font is changed on pages where the print may be more difficult to see. The repeated phrase, which is also the title of the book, "Chocolate me" is printed in brown, larger text, drawing attention to the words each time.
Print Motivation:
The rhythmic, rhyming text of this book make it a fun read. The method of telling the story from the perspective of a young African American child who feels different from other children in his community provides a realistic view of the way that a young child might feel, and children who identify with this character will enjoy reading this book.
Vocabulary:
Vocabulary in this book deals with skin color, physical attributes, and self-acceptance.
Author/ Illustrator Website:
http://chocolatemetoo.com/
