the chocolate touch by patrick skene catling

However, I’ll say this, when she talks about fun books she’s read recently or makes references to literature she’s read or has had read to her recently, this book never comes up. So, it pleases its target audience well enough. My 8 year old (and kids’ options about such books should probably matter more than my own) enjoyed the book. At times, it came off as a little preachy even, regarding the protagonist’s obsession with sweets. Except for the initial concept, it was not especially clever. The book did what it set out to do, but it did little more.

So, I was excited to settle down and read this to my 8 year old. Also, on principle, I am a big fan of trying to tell all the stories in new and different ways. This is largely a retelling of the story of King Midas, but with something that children value far more than gold - chocolate!Īs a big nerd of classical antiquity, I really liked the idea behind this book. Of John Midas in the Dreamtime, School Library Journal wrote, '.children who have been dragged around tourist sights will relate to John's boredom'. 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.' Catling has since written dozens of books, and has developed the popular The Chocolate Touch character John Midas into the children's book series: John Midas in the Dreamtime (1986), John Midas and the Vampires (1994), John Midas and the Radio Touch (1994), and John Midas and the Rock Star (1995). His first publication of The Chocolate Touch in 1952 received enthusiastic responses from several reviewers.

He continues writing books, and writes reviews for The Spectator, The Telegraph, and other publications. His present home is in the Republic of Ireland.

Catling served in the Royal Canadian Air Force as a navigator and as a journalist at The Baltimore Sun and The Manchester Guardian. Patrick Skene Catling is a British children's book author and book reviewer best known for writing The Chocolate Touch in 1952.Ĭatling was born and schooled in London and was educated there and at Oberlin College in the United States.

The chocolate touch by patrick skene catling