Easter is for many a time to come together and to celebrate. Cue the easter bunny, toys in various hues of yellow and of course as much chocolate as it is humanly possible to eat. But why not ditch the toy presents and swap sugary treats for a book on chocolate and share a story instead! Here are our favourite pick of the bunch.
Charlie and the Chocolate factory by Road Dahl
This classic story by Road Dahl follows the adventures of Charlie Bucket inside the Chocolate factory of eccentric chocolatier magnate Willy Wonka. The book has been made into a film and remains a favourite for chocoholic everywhere.
The magic of Roald Dahl is brought to life in new illustrated paperback editions from the imagination of Quentin Blake, Roald Dahl’s own favourite illustrator, with brand new cover designs and Blake’s quintessential pen and ink drawings.
£6.99 from Waterstones
The great Chocoplot by Chris Callaghan
A story filled with chocolate and adventure – who could say no to that? Follow Jelly on her quest to stop the chocopocalypse and have a giggle along the way. £ 5.78 from Amazon
The Chocolate Monster by Pip Jones
One day when a little girl is watching TV, the newsreader delivers a shocking public warning: a chocolate monster named ‘The Chunk’ is on the loose! A delightful book about the joys of chocolate for all the other chocolate monsters out there (this writer included).
£ 6.99 from Waterstones
The Chocolate Touch by Patrick Skene Catling
The story is patterned after the myth of King Midas, whose magic turned everything he touched into gold – only here the protagonist turns everything to chocolate.
First published in 1952, The Chocolate Touch was an instant classic-and has remained a timeless favourite with kids, teachers, and parents.
£6.99 from Waterstones
The Whizz Pop Chocolate Shop by Kate Saunders
Oz and Lily’s family have inherited an ancient chocolate shop and they’re moving in upstairs. It’s the perfect home … apart from the small fact that it’s haunted. And then they discover some solid gold chocolate moulds – with magic powers.
£5.62 from Amazon
Daisy and the Trouble with Chocolate by Kes Gray
Daisy is SO excited! She’s been picked to look after the class hamsters, Pickle and Pops, over the Easter holidays – AND her mum’s taking her to Chocolate Land!!! Trouble is, the two things probably shouldn’t mix… The totally troublesome and laugh-out-loud funny new tale from the bestselling Daisy series.
£5.99 from Amazon
Betty Bunny Loves Chocolate Cake by Michael B. Kaplan
From author Michael B. Kaplan, creator of Disney’s T.V. show Dog with a Blog,comes the debut picture book of the Betty Bunny series. In this funny tribute to chocolate lovers (and picky eaters), Betty Bunny’s charming perspective on patience will be recognizable to anyone with a preschooler in their life.
£6.99 from Waterstones
No Monkeys, No Chocolate by Melissa Stewart and Allen Young
A good look at the ecosystem and interdependence of a chocolate tree and the lively monkeys that chew on its pods as they swing through the jungle, distributing seeds. Readers look at the one tree’s life cycle, examining the flora, fauna, animals, and insects that contribute to the making of cacao. Two bookworms on each page comment on the information, making this information even more accessible.
£6.99 from Waterstones
Smart About Chocolate: a Sweet History by Sandra Markle
As one of the series in the Smart About series, the book gives a history of chocolate and how it was first used, how it has changed moving from one continent to the next, and how it is produced.
Smart About Chocolate is “chock-full” of fun facts about chocolate throughout its history, from the Mayans to Milton Hershey!
£4.58 from Amazon
These, lots of other books and family friendly events can also be found in your local library so as Albert Einstein famously said “The only thing that you absolutely have to know, is the location of the library.”