The Chocolate Touch (Hardcover)

by Patrick Skene Catling (Author), Margo Apple (Illustrator) "Most of the time John Midas was a very nice boy..." (more)
Key Phrases: chocolate touch, much candy, Miss Plimsole, John Midas, Cranium's Disease (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

This funny moral tale about a greedy boy's comeuppance has been beloved by children since its first appearance in 1952. Inspired by the legend of the avaricious king whose touch turned all to gold, Mr. Carling conceived a modern variation that delights as it instructs. In it a boy's lust for chocolate becomes the fatal flaw. This new edition, completely reillustrated by a talented young artist, will acquaint yet another generation with John Midas's classic predicament.

The story tells of the two days after John acquired the chocolate touch-the magic that turned everything his lips touched into chocolate. At first, John was elated with his discovery. Now at last he could have all the chocolate he wanted. Chocolate toothpaste was delicious; chocolate bacon and chocolate eggs were even better. But soon he began to get awfully thirsty, and before the day was over John suspected that his sweet dream-come-true might have its bitter side.

Witty and perceptive, written with a sure hand, this luscious fantasy will be warmly welcomed once again.

About the Author
Born in London, Patrick Skene Catling was educated there and at Oberlin College in the United States. As a Royal Canadian Air Force navigator and as a journalist, he has traveled extensively. His present home is in the Republic of Ireland.The original appearance of The Chocolate Touch in 1952 stirred much reviewer enthusiasm. The New York Herald Tribune remarked, "it has already proved a hilarious success with children," and The Saturday Review said, "it is told with an engaging humor that boys and girls will instantly discover and approve."

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 9-12
  
• Hardcover: 128 pages
• Publisher: HarperCollins (March 1, 1979)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0688321879
• ISBN-13: 978-0688321871
• Product Dimensions: 8.1 x 6.1 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars See all reviews (87 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #529,493 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Story that gets your Kids Reading, May 25, 2000

By	Roz Levine (Virginia) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)

This review is from: The Chocolate Touch (Paperback)

The Chocolate Touch is a take-off of the King Midas story.But, instead of turning everything he touches to gold, John Midas finds that everything he touches with his lips, turns to chocolate. Of course, at first he thinks this is great. But as time passes, John finds life is getting difficult. When he forgets and kisses his mother, he really begins to panic. This is a classic, be careful what you wish for story, that all kids will love. Easy to read with funny story events that keep kids turning pages to the end. Highly recommended for 2nd - 4th graders.

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars What We Thought, January 23, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: The Chocolate Touch (Paperback)

My third grade students at Bi-Cultural day School in Stamford, CT just completed The Courage of Sarah Noble, by Alice Dalgliesh. The students were eager to share their reactions to the historical fiction novel. Stacey Shaener

I would recommend this book to a friend because you are itching to know how John cures himself and that's what I think makes a good book...Ari

I liked this book because... John got the chocolate touch and it was exciting when all those things turned into chocolate . It was exciting when his food turned to chocolate because it tasted yummy. ...Claire

I like this book because it shows you not to just care about yourself like John did, but to care about other people. That's why I like the book ...Daniel R

I disliked this book because I knew what would happen all along the way because it gave me lots of clues. One of the clues was the picture on the cover. It showed me John's mom as chocolate....Eugene

I would recommend this book because this boy John made everything turn to chocolate. My favorite part of the story was when an older boy named Spider Wilson, who went to John's school,saw John eating his gloves. Spider Wilson said,"Why are you eating your gloves?" John told him they tasted like chocolate,but when Spider Wilson tried his didn't. They tasted awful...Hannah

I liked this book because it was funny. It was funny when John was eating his gloves and he turned his mother into chocolate. . . Jeffrey

I would recommend this book to a friend because it was funny in some parts like when John was eating his glove and when he was bobbing for apples and the water turned to chocolate. ..JEREMY

I would recommend this book because everything John put in his mouth turned into chocolate and his trumpet also turned into chocolate. I think that's cool. ...Jonathan

I would recommend this book because I liked the part when John kept trying to tell the storekeeper about his mother but the storekeeper kept talking about something else. This was a funny part....Kayla

I disliked this book because it didn't let you fill the blanks in on your own.It just told you what happens and it was not very exciting because you could guess what was going to happen. ...Lauren

I would recommend this book to a friend or family because it tells lots of details and there are only a few pictures. Since there are only a few pictures, you get to picture how things look in your mind. I really liked The Chocolate Touch...Miles

17 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A funny and charming fantasy., June 6, 2002

By	"bluemamma" (San Luis Obispo, CA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Chocolate Touch (Paperback)

This book is basically a twist on the story of King Midas and the Golden Touch. In this case, though, it isnÃ*t gold that the main character, John Midas, loves, but chocolate. When John receives a "gift" of the ability to turn everything he touches to chocolate, it turns out to be more of a curse than a gift. Having his breakfast bacon and eggs turn into chocolate seems wonderful, but when he gets thirsty and canÃ*t get a simple (non-chocolate flavored) drink of water, he begins to understand the need for variety.

I donÃ*t know many children who have an overpowering love of gold, but just about every child can identify with a boy whose desire for chocolate knows no bounds, and so this story is just a natural grabber for elementary school-age children.

You might expect a book with a message (eat a variety of healthy foods) to be moralistic, even a little dull, but this book is nothing like that. The plot is absorbing, much of it is laugh-out-loud funny, and the characters are all well-drawn and interesting.

The Chocolate Touch is a real charmer.