The Chocolate Touch
Patrick Skene Catling (J Fiction)
Most of the time John Midas was a very nice boy. Every now and then, of course, he broke a rule…
John Midas loves candy. He especially loves chocolate. In fact, John is candy mad, but worse is that John doesn’t share. Not one little bit. Not with his parents or with his little sister or even with his best friend, Susan Buttercup. Yep. John was greedy and he’s about to learn a very bittersweet lesson when he finds a strange coin on the sidewalk. A coin that unlocks John’s secret wish of wanting to eat chocolate all day, every day. A coin that would have John questioning whether you CAN have too much of a good thing.
Patrick Skene Catling gives readers a cautionary twist of the classic tale of King Midas and his golden touch. In this story, a selfish and greedy boy is suddenly given the ability to turn anything that goes into his mouth to chocolate. Toothpaste, tonic, eggs, orange juice, and eggs are suddenly chocolatey treats that easily and willingly go down his throat—much to the delight of his overly concerned mother who thinks that John is finally making good food choices. But John soon realizes the downside of his powers when the things most precious to him fall victim to his chocolate touch.
The Chocolate Touch is an excellent read-aloud book ideal for either classroom discussion or a shared bedtime story. Valuable lessons such as being careful what you wish for and happiness is not always found through material gain will be recognized by readers who will most likely predict what will happen next as John continues his chocolate transformations. There are plenty of opportunities to talk about actions and consequences, accepting responsibility, and placing someone else’s needs above your own to make this a funny and effective learning tool.
Author Thomas Harris wrote, “Nothing makes us more vulnerable than loneliness except greed.” John realized this lesson as his greed began to isolate him and ultimately cost him his dignity, health, friends, and even his beloved mother. Lucky for him, a good dose of humility—which may have been more unappetizing to digest than his daily tonic—ultimately saves him from a life that even Willy Wonka may have declined.
Rating: 4/5
Bring The Chocolate Touch to your class with our study guide: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Study-Guide-The-Chocolate-Touch-by-Patrick-Skene-Catling-12313062
The Dusty Jacket 