Jump to ratings and reviews
Rate this book

Chocolatina

Rate this book
This deliciously funny favorite now comes with scratch-n-sniff stickers!"You are what you eat," Mrs. Ferdman reminds her students during every health class. But all Tina likes to eat is chocolate. One day she wishes Mrs. Ferdman's favorite saying were true, and the very next morning she wakes up as a girl made of chocolate!Kids will laugh along with this scrumptious story and its delicious illustrations.Book PaperbackPublication 1/1/2008 32Reading Age 4 and Up

32 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1998

Loading interface...
Loading interface...

About the author

Erik P. Kraft

7 books6 followers

Ratings & Reviews

What do you think?
Rate this book

Friends & Following

Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!

Community Reviews

5 stars
77 (36%)
4 stars
63 (29%)
3 stars
51 (24%)
2 stars
18 (8%)
1 star
3 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 53 reviews
Profile Image for Cam.
1,129 reviews2 followers
October 7, 2019
Cute book about a girl that was nicknamed chocolatina because she loves chocolate so much. One day she wakes up and she’s made of chocolate. This is a level 2/3 reading level book.
Profile Image for Melki.
6,375 reviews2,438 followers
May 11, 2022
Tina LOVES chocolate - at every meal, and every chance in between!

Despite her health teacher's admonition that "you are what you eat", Tina continues to indulge in her favorite food . . . to disastrous consequences.

This is a cute, fun story with a few surprises. With artwork by Junie B. Jones illustrator, Denise Brunkus.
March 2, 2015
This is such a fun story about Chocolatina and her adventure. Her health teacher, Mrs. Ferdman, is quite the character. She constantly tells the children in her class, "You are what you eat!" Unfortunate for TIna, she loves chocolate so much that one night before her sleep, she wished to be chocolate. Sure enough she had to go to school the next day, and face becoming what she eats in front of all of her classmates and Mrs. Ferdman.

I think that a very interesting tone to this story was the irony imbedded in it. Since the teacher goes around telling her children in the nutrition class that they are what they eat, it was ironic that Chocolatina actually turned into the food that she loves to eat. Then, her nutrition teacher happens to LOVE chocolate too. And finally, as the story ends, and the last page is shown, the teacher is chocolate herself. There were a lot of fun moments in this book, which could turn into something humorous for the children reading it. I think that's why I enjoyed this book so much was because it was unique in the irony.

Another thing that we talked about in class after reading this book, was the genre of the book. I never thought that it could, of course, just be a dream that Chocolatina had when she turned into chocolate. This story could easily be realistic fiction. It is much more realistic to picture that Tina went to bed one night and dreamed that she turned into chocolate, her teacher trying to take a bite of her, and then getting fired. This would be a good book to read to children in the classroom and have them try to think about what might have really happened to Tina in the story.
5 reviews
March 6, 2019
This book is about a girl who loves chocolate and eats or drinks it with every meal. Her health teacher doesn’t like chocolate, so she gives everyone dates and makes them repeat you are what you eat at the end of every class. Chocolatina then goes to bed wishing that was true. Her dream then comes true, and she becomes made of chocolate. This book is funny and shows the dangers of wanting something to come true. Once that wish came true it took you on a journey of how that wish had some flaws.

The theme of the book is to be careful what you wish for.

My response is that I think that this book is a chocolate lovers dream and has a funny take on the whole situation. I would not personally be made out of chocolate, but this book is fun and easy to follow along.

I recommend this book for anyone who loves chocolate and a funny story about a girl who loves chocolate so much that she turns into one and how people react to it. I recommend for ages 3-6.
Profile Image for Rose Rosetree.
Author 16 books314 followers
April 28, 2023
You are what you eat?

The jokey premise for this cute picture book is faulty.

What would be more useful to think about the importance of good nutrition?

In my view, this:

How you feed yourself today
Is going to show up in your health
And show very clearly... 20 years from now.


I'm game to give this lighthearted book FIVE STARS but I will note, in a COMMENT below, something else about this book that bothers me... even more than the outdated notion that "You are what you eat."
Profile Image for eveniece.
25 reviews2 followers
September 11, 2022
read this to my sister. I got this book on a field trip (third grade) The ending was so real asf. And it’s funny because mrs Ferdman gave prunes on special occasions one of them being a full moon. Which… today was a full moon. Even tho she did try to eat tina… that was real tho and sooooo good
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Kaitlyn Ramirez.
25 reviews1 follower
March 5, 2015
Kaitlyn Ramirez:

Chocolatina
By: Erik Kraft

Chocolatina is a funny children’s book that young readers would get a kick out of. The book tells of a young girl who loves everything chocolate and eats it for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. One day Tina eats so much chocolate that her skin starts to turn into chocolate. Her teacher had always told her, “You are what you eat” well that served Tina right by eating way to much chocolate. Throughout the book Tina realizes that she shouldn’t have eaten so much chocolate. Lucky for Tina she turns back to normal only after a day of learning her lesson of not to eat too much of your favorite candy. This book is good for young readers to read because it gives them a sense of what could happen if you don’t eat your vegetables or fruits on a daily basis. It’s a life lesson for these kids that when you eat a lot of candy you could also get cavities and then you would be in big trouble.
The author in this book did a good job of emphasizing to kids that their parents about really agree on what they eat and for a good reason. The illustrations also focus on Tina’s facial expressions and the audience gets a feeling of how she feels after eating all the chocolate, we can tell from the audience perspective that even though she was scared at first from turning into chocolate Tina turned it into a positive problem. The message that kids get from her appearance is not to be afraid of what others think about you. Everyone is unique in their own way and we can’t change how we appear but allow others to accept who we are and prove to them it’s alright to be different. Moral of Chocolatina treat others the way you want to be treated.
Tina is a free spirited heroine who will surely gain sympathy of anyone who has ever had too much of a good thing. Going back to the illustrations as a reader I saw them brimming with a child appeal meaning that children would be easily attracted and engaged in the book. They also give a wacky sense being a comedy book as we see Tina do funny, silly things throughout the book and just purely enjoying life as we see through her story. Overall I really enjoyed the book and thought for a children’s book it was very funny and brought out the best in Tina as well as any child who picks up the book too. No book is too funny or has little no comedy in it either because a child will always find something funny in the book.
25 reviews
February 24, 2015
This is a fun and entertaining story of a child who eats excessive amounts of chocolate. Through the text and illustrations the author shows the child's love of chocolate and how it effects her. After being told by her teacher that, "you are what you eat" Chocolatina wishes this were true, and turns into complete chocolate. It does not take long for her to discover being made of chocolate is not fun at all. The author does a great job not being predictable by having the teacher who promoted eating healthy, announce she hoped Chocolatina would turn to chocolate so that she could eat her. In addition to that twist in the story, after Chocolatina turns back to her normal self she says, "I will never eat chocolate again... starting tomorrow!" Typically with similar stories, the main character will get rid of their bad habits. It is also relatable because many people say they will stop a bad habit and put it off until the next day.

The illustrations in this book are a major part of the characters place in the story. The facial expressions of the students when they first see Chocolatina has turned to chocolate, gives the reader the feeling they are fearful of not only the fact that their friend turned to chocolate, but what might happen to them if they are not careful. Also, the teacher who tells the students to eat prunes has a slightly round shape with wrinkled skin which resembles a prune. From the chocolate sweat drips flying from Chocolatina's face in the sun, to the desperate look on the teachers face as she tries to take a bite of the chocolate girl, the pictures are a great addition to the story.

The plot of the book was unique which kept my attention throughout the story. Many stories have similar plots and while this book seemed like it would be similar to many others, it had a different ending which attracted my attention.
The end of the book shows that we do not always learn perfectly from our mistakes. In many books the world can seem like a perfect place where we learn a lesson and never make the same mistake again, however, by having Chocolatina start out her next day with a bowl of chocolate cereal shows she learned a lesson, but is not going to instantly give up something she loves. Although this book is not necessarily real, it gives a sense of realism with Chocolatina's character.
Profile Image for Leslie Nunez.
25 reviews13 followers
February 25, 2015
This book is about Tina's health teacher is always admonishing her students, "You are what you eat!" But all Tina likes to eat is chocolate. One day she wishes Mrs. Ferdman's favorite saying were true, and the very next morning she wakes up a completely chocolate girl. The health teacher who said to eat healthy, told Tina she hoped Chocolatina would turn to chocolate so that she could eat her.The health teacher gets fired, this is the twist in the story, after Tina turns back to her normal self she says, "I will never eat chocolate again, starting tomorrow!" and eats a bowl of chocolate cereal. This is such a funny story. Chocolatina written by Erik Kraft and illustrated by Denise Brunkus was one of my favorite books as a child. I think this would make a great read aloud because it flows well and is very entertaining. It's the perfect length for reading aloud. I loved this book growing up. It's such a cute story that a person of any age would enjoy it. It builds off of a common saying of " you are what you eat." which is often told to children. The pictures enhance the story. The illustrations are very detail and bright and fun to look at. The pictures go well with the text. Kids will laugh along with this scrumptious story and its delicious illustrations.

The illustrations show very good facial expressions and body language. The colors show the mood of the scenes good as well. The illustrations, brimming with child appeal, show youngsters at their wacky bestgrimacing at dried prunes and staring with raised eyebrows at their chocolate classmate. It has 32 pages full of bright colorful illustrations. The audience for this book is ages range 4 - 8 Years but this book is so fun any age will enjoy it.

In this story the plot is unique and different that it keeps your attention throughout the story. There isn't many stories that have the similar plots, it has a different ending which got my attention. This book is no fiction book. The story is about really Tina having a dream. She was dreaming the whole time but the author doesn't really show it like that.Tina will learn her lesson once she wakes up. The end of the book shows that we do not always learn perfectly from our mistakes. That is the main lesson of the book.
25 reviews
March 1, 2015
Chocolatina by Erik P. Kraft is a story about a girl named Tina who loves chocolate on everything. One day at school Tinas health teacher who hated chocolate said that there was a saying you are what you eat, Tina wished that the saying was true. That night while Tina was sleeping, she turned into chocolate. At first Tina loved being chocolate, she was confused but she knew that it was going to be a good day. Then at school Tina realized being chocolate wasnt all that fun, it made it hard for her to do anything. She couldnt play on the playground with the other kids because she was melting to the pavement and everyone had to carry her inside. Tina went to the class she was dreading, health class, her teacher laughed and laughed saying I told you so to the class. Then Tina had to stay after class and her teacher tried to eat her! Right as she was about to take the first bite of Tina the principal walked in and fired Mrs.Ferdman. That night Tina went to bed and when she woke up she wasnt chocolate anymore, Mrs. Ferdman was. Tina vowed never to eat chocolate again, after her chocolate cereal of course.
The book has some very good qualities to it. The pictures are very interesting. The first thing you notice with Tina is her messy hair. It gives you that connotation that she doesnt really care what anyone thinks of her and she is a kind of mischief child. A Romona Quimby or Junie B Jones type girl. The teacher is also presented in a witch looking way. When you see the blown up picture of the teacher she has a very pointy nose and has wrinkles all over her face and a big mouth. She is considered the antagonist in the story and her presentation goes along with it. She is a mean old lady that thinks she is right about everything.
The moral of the story is to be careful what you wish for. You never know what could happen. Tina thought it would be so cool to be chocolate and as it turns out it was not very fun for her. It tells kids that sometimes it is better to not wish for more than you have, you may think you will like it but in reality most of the time it is better to stick with what you have.
26 reviews2 followers
February 26, 2015
This story is about a little girl who loves chocolate more than anything in the world. She would eat chocolate for every meal of the day if she could. However, her health teacher lectures her that she will turn into what she is eating. Chocolatina thinks it might be neat to turn into chocolate. So one day she wakes up and is made completely of chocolate. Children do not want to sit with her on the bus and her feet melt at recess. Chocolatina realizes that she does not want to be chocolate anymore and says she will stop eating chocolate tomorrow.

The illustrious in this story make it timeless. This book could be read over and over again and never get old. There are constantly more things that can be discovered. For example, there are dried prunes on the health teacher’s chalkboard. Chocolatina explains that she hates dried fruit so it is ironic that the prunes appear so much in the illustrations. In addition, the health teacher has chocolate earrings. This is interesting because she always acts like she only eats healthy food and then she confesses her love for chocolate.

It is interesting that this book could have two completely different storylines. This book could appear to be a fantasy because Chocolatina could not have really turned into chocolate. In addition, this book could have been seen as a dream. If this were the case, the book would be more like realistic fiction. Chocolatina seems to go to bed and then turn into chocolate. It is possible that this is just a dream that she is having. Therefore, this book could be two different genres.

This book could also fall under the surrealism category. Surrealism presents dreams and it is possible that Chocolatina fell asleep and dreamed about turning into chocolate. This book also makes the reader use imagination and think in a different way. In addition, surrealism can often be unrealistic and humorous. It is unrealistic that Chocolatina could really turn into chocolate and this adds humor to the story.
19 reviews
March 2, 2015
Chocolatina is basically a chocolate princess. Tina is a sweet little girl that can not get enough chocolate.
Erik P. Kraft does a great job incorporating chocolate in every daily activity that Chocolatina involves herself in. She eats as much chocolate as possible even when there is an evil teacher that tries to ruin her chocolate eating experiences. This health teacher is very rude to Chocolatina and tries to tell her that eating this much chocolate is bad. 'You are what you eat", a common quote adults say to children who just want junk food is a common saying in this story that the teacher says. Although we find out it is just a dream, one morning Chocolatina becomes chocolate figure and her teacher is secretly obsessed with chocolate and eats of Tina's ear made of chocolate.
The illustrations are imperative and reinforce the text and mood of the story and without the images the story would not be able to express the same amount of detail. This high quality picture book turns out to be ironic when in Choclatinas dream she turns into a chocolate figure but gets even more ironic when the health teacher that is very against eating chocolate starts to eat Chocolatina because she "is" chocolate. This story brings a lot of enjoyment to the child and lays a powerful underlying message.
Erik P. Kraft expresses the humorous realistic fiction idea that Chocolatina is an average girl in an average family and has quirky things about her. Tina's dream becomes fictionally and more comical but yet has enough realism that the reader can comprehend and relate to!
95 reviews
April 25, 2018
This book reminds me a lot of Matilda. I think that it is a very cute story to go along with the saying "you are what you eat." It is very funny and silly and lots of the kids in my practicum class enjoy reading this book.
23 reviews
March 2, 2015
Chocolatina is the story of a young girl who loves chocolate more than anything else in the entire world. Her teacher warns her that "you are what you eat" but Chocolatina does not care and continues to eat chocolate. One day she wakes up and realizes that her teacher's words have come true and she has actually turned to chocolate. Chocolatina struggles through her day and dreads having to go to her health teacher's class where she knows she will have to admit that her teacher was right. When she does face her teacher, she tries to eat Chocolatina. When Chocolatina wakes up the next day, she is miraculously turned back into a normal girl and vows to cut back on Chocolate.
The illustrations in this story are what interested me the most. There are a lot of small details in the book that you might not realize the first time reading them. For example, the health teacher who swears that chocolate is the worst food you can eat, is shown wearing chocolate chip earrings when she tries to eat Chocolatina. The illustrations are also colorful and lively and seem to match the fun, over the top mood of the text.
The story is also interesting and lends itself to some debate once the story is finished being read. There is a possibility that Chocolatina may have been dreaming the entire time. She is only a chocolate girl for one day and it ends when she goes to sleep that night. This might not be something that a lot of children will catch onto when they first read it, but an adult could help them guess or explain this point to them.
24 reviews
March 8, 2015
Chocolatina by Erik Kraft is a fun and colorful tale based on a saying we all heard as children: "You are what you eat!" Tina LOVES chocolate more than anything in the world. Her health teacher, on the other hand, says she hates it, and warns Tina that she will turn into a chocolate girl if she doesn't eat healthy. Well her health teacher was right, and Tina became Chocolatina!

This book is good fun! It emphasizes the importance of eating healthy without making it a heavy burden to the story. The way Kraft presents his story allows for the moral to be clear, but still have a fun tone to the book. The mood of the book is always bright and sweet, just like Chocolatina. The bright colors perfectly corresponds with the bright language.

The illustrations in the book are really interesting, too. Perhaps the coolest part is when Tina turn to chocolate. The illustrator is perfectly able to adapt Tina's expressions to be more chocolate-like. When she is worried, she melts a little and little chocolate drops drip down her face! Even the health teacher's expressions are lively and capture the personality of her perfectly.
29 reviews
February 7, 2013
Chocolatina written by Erik Kraft and illustrated by Denise Brunkus was one of my favorite books as a child. I sure love chocolate and so does Tina, the main character in Chocolatina. I think this would make a great read aloud because it flows well and is very entertaining. Tina is a young girl who loves anything chocolate, but one day her health teacher tells the class, "You are what you eat." The next morning Tina wakes up and is covered in chocolate from head to toe! This book does not really have an applicable lesson to it, but is hilarious and would be fun to just read aloud to a primary grade level class. Brunkus' illustrations are enough to make the story great! They are detailed and colorful, helping the audience really see the expressions of Tina, her classmates and her health teacher, Mrs. Ferdman. The excellent illustrations and humorous story line made me love Chocolatina and remember it for all of these years.
25 reviews1 follower
March 1, 2015
Everyone knows the saying, "You are what you eat", but what if one day you actually became what you ate. This became real for Tina, one day she turned into her favorite thing in the world...chocolate! Tina ate chocolate for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Her dad would ask her, "How do you want your eggs?" and Tina would say, with a side of her favorite chocolatey cereal. Tina realized that she loved chocolate, but not this much... She couldn't play outside, or even walk, and health class was terrifying as a chocolate girl.

The author and illustrator do a great job collaborating together and telling the story in such an inspiring way. The illustrations show such great facial expressions that show the reader exactly how Tina feels. This is such a great book to read aloud with children, mostly because many children can relate to loving chocolate and not understanding the outcomes that go along with eating too much chocolate.
Profile Image for Lindsey.
138 reviews37 followers
September 3, 2014
I could just look at Denise Brunkus' illustrations and never mind the words, but this is an adorable book all around. Tina is a juvenile chocolate fiend, so much so that everyone she knows calls her Chocolatina. She eats Choco-Crunchies for breakfast, chocolate milk with her lunch, and chocolate syrup on her fruit salad. Her health teacher Ms. Ferdman (did I mention I love the pictures in this book? Especially Ms. Ferdman) tells her class every day: "You are what you eat. You are what you eat." One day Chocolatina wishes that she really was what she eats, and like most thoughtless wishes, this one gets her into a lot of trouble.

My little sisters love this book and were, I think, a lot less disturbed by the climax than I was! This book should appeal to boys and girls alike and a wide range of ages--if you don't watch out, you may fall in love with it too.
70 reviews
Read
October 4, 2016
Tina absolutely loves chocolate! In class they talk about eating healthy and her teacher always tells them, “You are what you eat.” Tina loved chocolate so much that she wished she were it, until it came true. Her teacher tried to eat her and then got banished from the school. Tina wishes to not be chocolate anymore and even offers to give it up for good. She goes back to her regular self while Mrs. Fredman is suddenly transformed into chocolate. I really enjoyed this book. My response to it was that I thought it was really cleaver. I think kids will be very entertained. I would love to use this book in my classroom because I think that it would be a fun book when we do talk about eating healthy. It is funny and silly, but it can also prove a point. It has witty humor and will keep kids entertained.
23 reviews1 follower
March 10, 2015
One thing I love about this book is the story line. The author uses the story to let young readers know that "You are what you eat" as well as the saying "Be careful what you wish for." This lets readers know that sometimes that things we love best aren't really good for us depending on what it is (sweets, junk food, etc...). The illustrations in this book are also very good. Looking at Chocolatina in her chocolate form is very unique! The illustrations have different shades, and shine differently in light. The illustrations also use different textures for the different chocolate items that Chocolatina likes. This book has a great message, and overall, I recommend this book for any young readers looking for comedy within a meaningful story.
Profile Image for Becky B.
8,111 reviews125 followers
March 12, 2015
Tina loves chocolate. No, not just loves. She adores chocolate and eats as much of it as she can. Her health teacher warns Tina and her classmates that they are what they eat, and Tina loves chocolate so much she wishes that were true. But the next morning when Tina really does wake up as a chocolate girl, she finds that being a chocolate girl has it's hazards.

This is a picture book warm up for chocolate lovers not quite ready for Chocolate Fever yet, only Tina doesn't quite learn any lesson other than that she's glad she isn't made of chocolate. In other words, don't expect this to be a deep read. Just go into it expecting a funny read. Might be a good pick around one of those holidays when kids get lots of candy.
Profile Image for Dennis Graham.
25 reviews
February 27, 2015
Chocolatina by Erik P. Kraft is a children's picture book about a young girl who loves to eat chocolate. Her teacher at school preached “You are what you eat.” One morning the little girl wakes up and she is made of chocolate! The story continues with her life in the day of being chocolate. She awakes the next day fully human again and learns her lesson. The story is filled with colorful images in cartoon form. The characters facial expressions are bold and capture the eyes of the audience. The text was flowing with a creative plot that brought into Chocolatina world to see from her perspective.
Profile Image for Lisa the Librarian.
386 reviews51 followers
January 6, 2010
I read this to my second grade classes as a follow up to Chocolate Fever.

The overall story is pretty much the same. Kid loves chocolate, kid eats too much chocolate, kid turns into chocolate, kid discovers that being chocolate is not that much fun.

I liked the way this book handled the story better. I think the shorter picture book format was more appropriate for the telling of the story.

The delightful illustrations by Denise Brunkis (who is recognizable as the illustrator of the popular Junie B. Jones series) are bright and really add to the telling of the story.
Profile Image for Alicia Beaumier.
22 reviews
March 21, 2015
This book was very cute and I think it had an adorable message. I feel like the teacher was sort of mean though. Chocolatina is such a great idea, in the book she eats so much chocolate she turns into chocolate. The illustrations in this book are better than any other that I have seen in a while and I really think it makes the book so much better. The detail thats included is mind fantastic. It is amazing how the author tells the story with the illustrations and the way the wording is in the book is amazing.
Profile Image for Sonam_ranani.
64 reviews1 follower
November 24, 2013
Chocolatina is one of my favorites! I wish I would turn into chocolate after reading this book. This book is about Tina and her obsession over chocolate. Her health teacher explains to her, “You are what you eat. You are what you eat.” After wishing this was true, Tina turns into chocolate and gets herself in a lot of trouble. This book is great for a picture walk because the illustrations within this book are very detailed and fun to discover.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 53 reviews

Can't find what you're looking for?

Get help and learn more about the design.