Characters In The Chocolate Touch

Book Review

The Chocolate Bear upon

Patrick Skene Catling

Sense of humour

Credits

Readability Historic period Range

viii to 12

Publisher

Morrow Junior Books, office of William Morrow and Visitor Inc.

Awards

Beehive Awards (Utah), 1983; Massachusetts Children's Book Award, 1989

Year Published

2006

Book Review

This humorous tale by Patrick Skene Catling, with illustrations past Margot Apple tree, is published by Morrow Junior Books, office of William Morrow and Company Inc., and is written for kids ages 8 to 12. The historic period range reflects readability and not necessarily content appropriateness.

Plot Summary

John Midas loves chocolate. His parents and his doc, Dr. Cranium, worry since he merely wants candy and refuses to swallow healthy foods. One day, John finds a money with his initials on it. Soon afterward, he discovers a candy store he's never seen earlier. The owner invites John in and says he can selection any box of processed he wants. It will only cost him the coin he'due south just plant. Elated, John picks a box of chocolates and hurries home. That nighttime in his room, John opens the box and finds only one piece of candy within. It is the most wonderful chocolate he's ever eaten.

When John brushes his teeth the next morn, he's surprised to notice the toothpaste tastes like the same amazing chocolate from the night before. He eats the rest of the tube. John'due south parents are thrilled to see him having a normal breakfast of eggs, bacon and orange juice. They don't realize everything that touches John's lips turns to chocolate.

At first, John's new magic bear upon seems wonderful. He nibbles on his leather glove, and it turns to chocolate. He even tricks a bully into taking a bite of the leather. The fun begins to fade when John's friend Susan shows him a shiny money she got for her altogether. He bites it to see if information technology'southward existent, and it turns to chocolate. Susan runs off, telling John she hates him. In class, John becomes thirsty. He can't have a beverage of water without it turning to liquid chocolate. This frustrating discovery distracts him on his test. He begins to chew his pencil, which turns to chocolate in his hands.

John tries, unsuccessfully, to explain everything to Susan. Then he tries to enjoy his lunch, but everything changes in his mouth. His magic is growing, and fifty-fifty the cup and pieces of silverware he uses start turning to chocolate. When John tries to play his trumpet solo in band, his instrument becomes chocolate, as well. His mother makes him go to Susan'due south altogether party that afternoon. While he and Susan bob for apples, his magic turns the water chocolate, which splashes all over her party dress.

In tears, John explains his chocolate problem to his begetter. John tries to evidence his father the store where he got the magic chocolate, but they merely detect an empty lot with a for sale sign on it. Mr. Midas takes John to see Dr. Cranium, who only believes the boy's story later his medicine spoon turns to chocolate in John's mouth. The doctor says he will telephone call this Cranium'southward Disease since he discovered it. But he has no cure. At home, John'south concerned mother cries. He can't conduct to see her tears and kisses her cheek. When he does, his mother becomes a chocolate statue.

John rushes out of the firm and back to the corner where he first saw the candy store. It is at that place, and he pleads with the shopkeeper to restore his mother. The clerk urges him to accept the blame for the greed he'due south shown. He says the unselfishness John is demonstrating at present by thinking of his mother is a good start. The clerk asks John to choose betwixt his chocolate touch and his mother, and the boy immediately chooses her. The clerk says he will give John another take a chance. John rushes domicile. He is thrilled to see his mother back to normal and to drink a glass of cold milk. Afterwards, John looks for the processed store, but information technology has vanished.

Christian Beliefs

Other Belief Systems

Authority Roles

Mr. and Mrs. Midas worry about their son'due south health and endeavour to become him to make wise food choices. The doctor makes trite recommendations, such as telling John to eat less processed. He gets excited when he believes he tin name John'due south chocolate touch Cranium'southward Affliction, since he discovered it. The candy shop possessor tries show John the downside of greed and the importance of thinking nearly others.

Profanity & Violence

Sexual Content

When John kisses his mother, she turns into a chocolate statue.

Give-and-take Topics

If your children have read this volume or someone has read information technology to them, consider these discussion topics:

What Greek myth was the inspiration for The Chocolate Bear on? What did the king in that story desire most, the style John wanted chocolate?
What lessons does John learn from his chocolate touch? When have you had a strong desire for more than and more of something? What was it yous wanted so desperately? What happened equally a event of your greed?
Why does John blame the storekeeper for his chocolate troubles? When have you tried to place arraign on other people for a trouble you acquired, and why? What does it mean to accept responsibility for your actions?
What does the shopkeeper say is the cure for greediness? How can being unselfish and thinking of others keep you from existence greedy?

Boosted Comments

This review is brought to you past Focus on the Family, a donor-based ministry. Book reviews cover the content, themes and world-views of fiction books, not their literary merit, and equip parents to determine whether a book is appropriate for their children. A book'southward inclusion does not constitute an endorsement by Focus on the Family.

You can request a review of a title you tin can't find at [email protected].