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Heart and Soul
A Sneak Peek at Chocolate Me
Posted by Taye Diggs on August 4th, 2011

A few days ago I had another emotional and seminal moment with my son. For his bedtime story I read him a book I wrote titled Chocolate Me. 
The book is about a time in my life when I lived in a neighborhood where no one looked like me and resulted in me getting made fun of. 

My mother then sat with me and convinced me to embrace my differences and that I should love the qualities and features I have regardless of what others thought. 
The book is directed towards young people from 4 years and up. I'm excited for Chocolate Me to come out this fall, but I was more excited to read it to my son. He may be too young to understand the complexities but he loves it when I read it to him. 

Over the next few months, I want to use this site as a place to talk about Chocolate Me and the issues raised by the book. Plus, I have some other surprises up my sleeve. Stay tuned. Here’s a little more about the project:

"Founded by actor Taye Diggs, singer Idina Menzel and illustrator Shane W. Evans, WalkTall productions is a multimedia company focused on exploring the various needs of children through education, entertainment and creativity.  

Their mission is to inspire children of all backgrounds to shine and the projects slated to be released through WalkTall will prove to be a world that communicates positive messages as well as a creative cultural force for children and adults alike. 

Taye and Shane's first project, the book Chocolate Me (Published by McMillan/Feiwell & Friends) is due out for release this September. 

The story focuses on self-esteem and encourages children to embrace their differences, big and small. Look out at a bookstore near you for personal signings with Taye and Shane this coming fall."

Have a question about Chocolate Me? Ask it in the comments below.

Man I wish something like WalkTall existed when I was a kid. I'm not even that old and I still get flack for all my differences. But I am super excited about Chocolate Me. I preordered it months ago as a late future birthday present to myself (well it will be about two weeks late) and then I can share it with my niece and the kids I babysit for and the ones I work with!  Any books signing coming to Berkeley/Bay Area?

This project sounds great. I hope it will be a success!

I'm looking forward to this book as well as your project. I grew up being different~ half Japanese and being teased as a child when I didn't look Japanese enough in one country and not being American enough here.

I am always looking for books that embrace differences so I can share them with my youngest; he has Down syndrome and even though we live in an area where he is fully included in the community, sometimes his schoolmates asks why he looks different or speaks differently.

I am currently enrolled in graduate school working on my initial teaching license as a school librarian.  In the spring I am taking a Children's Literature course and would love to use this book for one of my book talks!  I will keep you posted on how it goes!

I grew up being teased alot even in high school, my whole life cause i was different, kids can sometimes be cruel but so can adults I learned. I am embracing my differences and they are no longer big issues with me anymore I consider it my strength. I encourage the kids I used to work with  to not be so hard on themselves or others for being different, its who we are that makes us strong not what we look like.

Kudos that Taye created "Chocolate Me"..Many Children need to appreciate what makes them Special...

I never heard of it before but I think it sounds quite interesting and I consider buying it as well. Literature for children can be great also for adults! It's true that it's important to encourage the kids! btw. I'm also searching for a good blog with reviews on kids' books. Do you have any recommendations for me?