Cali, D. (2009). I Love Chocolate. Plattsburgh, NY: Tundra Books of Northern New York. 9780887769122 Originally written in Italian and published in Italy, it is clear that the narrator of this gentle story loves chocolate. I mean, LOVES chocolate. There is some serious lust for chocolate her... more

Cali, D. (2009). I Love Chocolate. Plattsburgh, NY: Tundra Books of Northern New York. 9780887769122 Originally written in Italian and published in Italy, it is clear that the narrator of this gentle story loves chocolate. I mean, LOVES chocolate. There is some serious lust for chocolate here. (And who could blame him? I mean. really.) The writing is poetic and well composed. The art is pleasant and neutral with a lot of browns to reinforce the main subject. The one flaw is that I Love Chocolate does not really address the dangers of eating too much chocolate and even presents it as an option for dealing with an upsetting experience. A teacher or parent may have to remind some young readers of the advantages of moderation or exercise. Activities to do with the book: This book could trigger a discussion of favorite foods and a lesson on how to express love for that food in the form of a poetic essay. Students could also tell stories about events in which they ate a lot of chocolate. Favorite Quotes: “I love chocolate when it’s full of surprises. You have to take a bite to find out what’s inside.” “Are you a dainty chocolate dabbler? Or a monster muncher?” For more of my reviews, visit sjkessel.blogspot.com.