Children’s Picture Book Analysis and Evaluation

Title: Chocolate Me!
Author: Taye Diggs
Illustrated By: Shane W. Evans
Year of Publication: 2011

"Chocolate Me!" is a story about a child who is different than all of the other children that he plays with at school and at home. This story follows the struggles of a small African American child growing up and going to school with primarily Caucasian children. Throughout the story he is repeatedly tested about the way that he looks and even more specifically about what is different about him in comparison to the other children.

Are characters "outside the mainstream culture" depicted as individuals or as caricatures?
For this particular book I would have to say that there is about a half and half difference between the caricature features that are portrayed in this book and the individualistic features that are portrayed in this book. All of the characters have somewhat of a caricature style to themselves, but all of the characters also have very humanistic features which are not blown out of proportion. With the expect ion of the skin tone, the illustrator did a very good job on making sure that all of the children looked very similar, which I believe after reading this book is done for a specific reason; which is to show people that although our skin colors may be different we are all humans. 

Does their representation include significant specific cultural information? Or does it follow stereotypes?
One of my favorite parts of this book is that it follows the stereotypes that are talked about throughout the African American community. I personally relate to it because it talked about the stereotypes that I had to deal with growing up in a predominately Caucasian community.  Throughout the story there are multiple statements made by children about the main characters skin color and other racial differences. "Look where your skin begins! It's brown like dirt. Does it hurt to wash it off?" (Diggs, 2011, Pg.5). In talking about the main characters skin color these kids are tapping into the specific cultural information that African American individuals usually have a darker complexion, in comparison to other races. One of the most interesting quote that I have taken from this book would have to be when the children were talking about the main characters hair, in comparison to theirs. They talked about whether or not the main character would enjoy doing his hair, because it is so large and kinky. This, whether people know it or not, it a stereotype that is played out throughout the African American culture. The idea that somebody is less than because they do not have what is considered "good hair", although the children never say anything about whether the main characters hair is good or not, there is still that underlying notion that is happening. 

Who has the power in this story? What is the nature of their power, and how do they use it?
In the beginning of the book, all of the power is handed over to all of the Caucasian children, from the main character. He hands over the power when he says "Sitting on my stoop when I was five, not like Tommy, or Jonny or even Mark. Though, I wanted a name like theirs." (Diggs, 2011, Pg. 2) Now I may be putting quite a bit of power on this statement but when the main character says this what he is really doing is saying that these children are better than him, because he is different in comparison to all of them. However as the book proceeds, I am happy to announce (spoiler) that the power is in fact handed back over to the main character during the ending. After talking to his mother he realizes that although he may not be like the other children that are within his community, that doesn't mean that he is not just as special as they are. That doesn't mean that they are not similar. Through the conversation hat the main character has with the mother figure in the end of the book, he takes back the power that he gave away in the beginning, only to find that there is no real power in being the same, only power in being different, which the main character seems to later thrive on. Certainly unlike the beginning. 

Who has wisdom? What is the nature of their wisdom, and how do they use it?
The character that seems to be the all knowing wisdom carrying character within this book, would have to be the main characters mother. As mentioned above, there is an exchange between the mother and the main character and it seems to make things different. The entire mood of the book changes after the conversation is hand. Although this mother holds the wisdom and explains that being different is better than being the same and that one should accept their differences, she uses the metaphor of cupcakes and baking while doing it. 

Who has written this story? Who has illustrated it? Are they inside or outside the groups they are presenting? What are they in a position to know? What do they claim to know?
 Taye Diggs and Shane W. Evans wrote and illustrated this story. They are both African American men currently living and have grown up in the United States. Growing up in the United States in any racial group, you will always have a different experience than the next. Throughout this book they are telling the story (which I assume is similar to their own) about a little boy who is different and because of that he is teased by the Caucasian children in his neighborhood because of it. They are claiming to know what it is like to be a young African American child living among a large population of caucaisn children and knowing what it is like when the children point out your differences, and what it feels like to be different. 

Would you recommend this book?  Why or why not?
I would have to say that I would recommend this book to any and all families that have young children, I think that this is a great way to get the conversations of race started. Whether the family is African American or Caucasian it doesn't matter. Both of these races are illustrated throughout this book and talked about, although some are talked about in more length than others. If I were to say no, I would have to say that the only reason that I would not recommend it would have to be because it may be a little bit too forward for children.