Chocolatina
What’s inside...
Tina eats so much chocolate that she wakes up one morning and finds that she has turned into chocolate. Mrs. Ferdman, the health teacher, has a favorite saying--you are what you eat--and when Tina wishes it were really true, she wakes up the next morning as a chocolate kid.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
2-6
Length
32 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What do you think about Chocolatina’s wish to turn into chocolate? How would you feel if you turned into your favorite food?
How did Chocolatina’s classmates react to her transformation? Why do you think they reacted that way?
What lessons did Chocolatina learn by the end of the story?
Can you think of a time when something didn’t go as you expected, just like Chocolatina’s wish? What did you learn from that experience?
Why is it important to be careful about what we wish for?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to express their thoughts and feelings about the story, relating it to their own experiences.
Discuss the consequences of Chocolatina’s actions and decisions, guiding your child to understand cause and effect.
Use the book’s illustrations to talk about feelings and reactions of the characters, enhancing your child’s emotional understanding.
Explore the idea of wishes and consequences, prompting your child to think critically about what they desire and the potential outcomes.
Reinforce the story’s morals and encourage your child to think about the lessons they can apply in their own life.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Identity and self-acceptance
Explanation: Chocolatina teaches children about the importance of accepting and loving oneself, as the main character, Tina, embraces her unique characteristic of loving chocolate.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to appreciate their own unique traits and feel confident in their individuality, promoting positive self-esteem.
Example Lesson: Consequences of lying
Explanation: The story highlights the consequences of not being honest after Tina tells a tall tale that leads to a series of humorous but challenging events.
Real-World Application: This can help children understand the importance of honesty and the potential negative outcomes of telling lies.
Example Lesson: Creativity and problem solving
Explanation: Tina uses her imagination and problem-solving skills to handle unexpected situations caused by her fib about turning into chocolate.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to use creative thinking in difficult situations, fostering resourcefulness and resilience.
Example Lesson: Empathy and understanding
Explanation: As Tina faces challenges, her friends show empathy and help her, illustrating the value of helping others in need.
Real-World Application: Children learn the importance of empathy and helping friends, which can help them build strong, supportive relationships.
Example Lesson: Accepting others
Explanation: The narrative shows how other characters accept Tina's chocolate obsession, teaching tolerance and acceptance of others' differences.
Real-World Application: Children are encouraged to be open and accepting of peers’ unique preferences and characteristics, promoting inclusivity and diversity.