Racial | Children's Books Heal

Chocolate Me!

Taye Diggs, author and Shane W. Evans, illustrator

Feiwel and Friends, September 2011. Fiction

Suitable for: Preschool and Up

Themes: Racial, Diversity, Self-esteem, Self-respect

Synopsis: “Sitting on my stoop when I was five not like Timmy or Johnny, or even Mark. Though I wanted a name like theirs. Chocolate me. When we’d play, they’d say, ‘Look where your skin begins! It’s brown like dirt. Does it hurt to wash off? Chocolate me.” A boy recognizes that he’s different when his friends ask him why his skin is so dirty, his hair so poofy, his teeth so white, his nose so big and wide. His feelings are hurt until he discovers he’s perfect in every way.

Why I Like this book: Chocolate Me! is a touching story for children of color who sometimes feel different and left out. It has a very simple message, love who you are even if you look different from your friends. The book is also for families who want to start teaching their children about diversity at an early age. Activity: This is a beautiful book for classroom discussions about diversity — how we may look different and how we are alike. For classroom activities and resources visit Precious Children: Activities that Promote Racial and Cultural Awareness.

Every Friday, authors and KidLit bloggers post a favorite picture book. To see a complete listing of all the Perfect Picture Books (PPB) with resources, please visit author Susanna Leonard Hill’s Perfect Picture Books.