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John Midas #1
The Chocolate Touch
In this zany twist on the legend of King Midas and his golden touch, a boy acquires a magical gift that turns everything his lips touch into chocolate! Kids will eat this up for summer reading or anytime! Can you ever have too much of your favorite food? John Midas is about to find out…. The Chocolate Touch has remained a favorite for millions of kids, teachers, and parents for several generations. It's an enjoyable story that pulls in even reluctant readers.
128 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1952
About the author
Patrick Skene Catling
33 books47 followersPatrick Skene Catling is a British children's book author and book reviewer best known for writing The Chocolate Touch in 1952.
Catling was born and schooled in London and was educated there and at Oberlin College in the United States. Catling served in the Royal Canadian Air Force as a navigator and as a journalist at The Baltimore Sun and The Manchester Guardian.
He has traveled extensively. His present home is in the Republic of Ireland. He continues writing books, and writes reviews for The Spectator, The Telegraph, and other publications.
His first publication of The Chocolate Touch in 1952 received enthusiastic responses from several reviewers. 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). Of John Midas in the Dreamtime, School Library Journal wrote, "...children who have been dragged around tourist sights will relate to John's boredom".
Catling was born and schooled in London and was educated there and at Oberlin College in the United States. Catling served in the Royal Canadian Air Force as a navigator and as a journalist at The Baltimore Sun and The Manchester Guardian.
He has traveled extensively. His present home is in the Republic of Ireland. He continues writing books, and writes reviews for The Spectator, The Telegraph, and other publications.
His first publication of The Chocolate Touch in 1952 received enthusiastic responses from several reviewers. 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). Of John Midas in the Dreamtime, School Library Journal wrote, "...children who have been dragged around tourist sights will relate to John's boredom".
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,446 reviews
January 12, 2024
omg this book brought back so many memories!! only took me like half an hour to read and was surprisingly not fatphobic despite a "stop eating candy!" moral. i'm just a sucker for classic children's books with illustrations though.
March 17, 2022
This is a fun way to teach an important lesson: Too much of a good thing is bad. In an engaging manner, the story of young John Midas serves to show young readers why moderation is important. The characters and realistic situations make this story relatable to all.
I'd recommend reading/telling the story of King Midas to young readers first. They'll then easily be able to find similarities between both stories.
I'd recommend reading/telling the story of King Midas to young readers first. They'll then easily be able to find similarities between both stories.
December 23, 2011
I read this yearly with my students and have done so throughout my career. It's a book that works well at the beginning of the year or with groups who may not be up to level later in the year.
John Midas likes chocolate. He finds a coin. On one side is a picture of a fat boy, on the other his initials. He finds that he can purchase a box of chocolates with this coin. Soon he has his own special Midas touch.
I find that I need to teach the students the story of King Midas prior to reading this book they understand the parallels.
The reading is fairly easy and the concepts clear. Students do not struggle to understand the humor.
****
p65 simile "bounded ahead like a jackrabbit"
****
1 October 2006
John Midas likes chocolate. He finds a coin. On one side is a picture of a fat boy, on the other his initials. He finds that he can purchase a box of chocolates with this coin. Soon he has his own special Midas touch.
I find that I need to teach the students the story of King Midas prior to reading this book they understand the parallels.
The reading is fairly easy and the concepts clear. Students do not struggle to understand the humor.
****
p65 simile "bounded ahead like a jackrabbit"
****
1 October 2006
November 29, 2011
I love this book partly because I read it as a child and partly because I love the lessons that it teaches children, such as:
1. There definitely can be TOO much of a good thing (such as Christmas every day, chocolate all the time, etc.)
2. Nutrition - our body needs healthy foods to function healthily.
3. Moderation in all things.
4. It teaches these ideas in a fun, silly way that kids love.
1. There definitely can be TOO much of a good thing (such as Christmas every day, chocolate all the time, etc.)
2. Nutrition - our body needs healthy foods to function healthily.
3. Moderation in all things.
4. It teaches these ideas in a fun, silly way that kids love.
August 3, 2024
A cautionary retelling of the famous legend of King Midas. The story is perfect for 6 or 7 years old for its predictable and cute telling.
February 5, 2018
I've always loved this book :) This reading of it was no different. It wasn't quite how I remembered, but a charming fable nonetheless.
January 15, 2014
I think this book was a good book but I would not want to be in the same situation he is in. But chocolate is one of my favorite things. So I would definitely read this book
October 14, 2020
I would have loved this when I was a child, even though it's not all that well written. It just pushes kids' buttons, eh? I mean, I read the original King Midas story over and over, and I was much more familiar with chocolate than with gold. I would have liked the details, too, like the names (homeroom teacher Miss Primrose, music teacher Mrs. Quaver, and of course Dr. Cranium...). And the vocabulary lesson reminder, "The more words you know, the more exactly you can think" is neat. (One of my favorite authors was William Steig, in large part because he used a rich vocabulary.)
And now I'm going to see if I can find a copy of Chocolate Fever - it looks like a richer book on the same subject, perhaps not as quick and easy or fun but more recommendable?
Thanks to Little Free Libraries for making Chocolate Touch avl. to me... I had heard of it, but probably would never have read it if I'd not found it for exchange in one of the boxes.
And now I'm going to see if I can find a copy of Chocolate Fever - it looks like a richer book on the same subject, perhaps not as quick and easy or fun but more recommendable?
Thanks to Little Free Libraries for making Chocolate Touch avl. to me... I had heard of it, but probably would never have read it if I'd not found it for exchange in one of the boxes.
January 28, 2014
This book had one lesson, not to be greedy. The book stayed on topic so it wasn't very confusing. Some books I read didn't have that "trait" in them. It`s a great book for children.
June 2, 2021
The Chocolate Touch is a retelling of the myth of King Midas with some tweaks. The most important one, as the title suggests, is gold being replaced by chocolate. The book is a fun ride from beginning to end with bits of humor and emotion added in.
September 28, 2007
John Midas loves chocolate more than anything in the world, including his friends and family. His greed is punished when he is given the chocolate touch. Everything John puts near his mouth turns to chocolate! It sounds great at first because everything from toothpaste to his pencil turns into delicious chocolate but it becomes disasterous. A very funny read for third grade and up. Kids will be interested to learn more about an ancient Greek myth about King Midas who was given the golden touch.
Food for thought: If you could turn anything to chocolate what would it be? AND Do you think John learned his lesson?
Food for thought: If you could turn anything to chocolate what would it be? AND Do you think John learned his lesson?
November 10, 2011
Repetitive, repetitive, repetitive! And did you notice all of those "repetitives?" Well, add a couple more! The early parts of The Chocolate Touch started out entertainingly, but the middle was so much of the same thing over and over again, it became a real challenge to get through it! Finally, the story picked up some tension and suspense in the second to last chapter, but then the ending just *dropped*!
When I finished reading the book, my niece looked at me and exclaimed, "What?! THAT'S IT?!?!?" I think we both felt a little bit ripped off. We had all that time invested in this story, and *that* was the pay off?! Hm. Well. We weren't impressed.
When I finished reading the book, my niece looked at me and exclaimed, "What?! THAT'S IT?!?!?" I think we both felt a little bit ripped off. We had all that time invested in this story, and *that* was the pay off?! Hm. Well. We weren't impressed.
February 15, 2022
We had a lot of fun with this as a family read-aloud. It’s delightful! A breezy read that also has surprising depth and a good "moral" yet didn't feel annoyingly didactic. I appreciate that the boy realized that his problem with chocolate was not only affecting him, but his family, as well. The ending was quite touching for me as a mother. There's a bit of a Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle aspect here with the mysterious shop owner and the magical chocolate coin. Despite being written in the '50s, I think it's aged well and would still hold a lot of appeal for today's kids. My own certainly enjoyed it.
June 21, 2008
This is a fun story that’s a variation on the King Midas myth, but involves the dilemma of a young boy afflicted with “chocolatitis.”
It’s a perfect book for chocolate lovers and I am a huge chocolate fan, but chocolate gloves? Yuck!
This is a good early reader and read aloud book, and has a moral lesson about not being selfish or greedy.
I think I missed this when I was young even though it’s from my era; it’s now a bit dated but still very enjoyable.
It’s a perfect book for chocolate lovers and I am a huge chocolate fan, but chocolate gloves? Yuck!
This is a good early reader and read aloud book, and has a moral lesson about not being selfish or greedy.
I think I missed this when I was young even though it’s from my era; it’s now a bit dated but still very enjoyable.
April 19, 2018
This is largely a retelling of the story of King Midas, but with something that children value far more than gold - chocolate!
As a big nerd of classical antiquity, I really liked the idea behind this book. Also, on principle, I am a big fan of trying to tell all the stories in new and different ways. So, I was excited to settle down and read this to my 8 year old.
The book did what it set out to do, but it did little more. Except for the initial concept, it was not especially clever. At times, it came off as a little preachy even, regarding the protagonist’s obsession with sweets.
My 8 year old (and kids’ options about such books should probably matter more than my own) enjoyed the book. She was excited to read through it. So, it pleases its target audience well enough. 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. It’s one of those books that is enjoyed for the moment while you read it, but largely forgotten after you’re done with it.
As a big nerd of classical antiquity, I really liked the idea behind this book. Also, on principle, I am a big fan of trying to tell all the stories in new and different ways. So, I was excited to settle down and read this to my 8 year old.
The book did what it set out to do, but it did little more. Except for the initial concept, it was not especially clever. At times, it came off as a little preachy even, regarding the protagonist’s obsession with sweets.
My 8 year old (and kids’ options about such books should probably matter more than my own) enjoyed the book. She was excited to read through it. So, it pleases its target audience well enough. 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. It’s one of those books that is enjoyed for the moment while you read it, but largely forgotten after you’re done with it.
March 9, 2017
I read this book with my students...it is great and my 3rd-grade students loved every word. I gave them a test over it...they all passed and I rewarded them with m&ms...yay!!!
Well...I read this book again...but to my 2nd-grade students. They LOVED it!!! And totally groaned when the story ended...one student even said...that's it...I want more!!! I love hearing that!!!
Well...I read this book again...but to my 2nd-grade students. They LOVED it!!! And totally groaned when the story ended...one student even said...that's it...I want more!!! I love hearing that!!!
March 27, 2019
I LOVE CHOCOLATE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I would not want everything that touches my mouth turn to chocolate though.
July 11, 2017
It was great! I loved it so much 4 star rating :]
May 26, 2022
This is required reading for my child going into third grade. She hasn't read it yet but I did and I absolutely hate it.
Basically this kid ends up accidentally killing his mom by turning her into chocolate. He is only able to get her back after the guy who sold him the magic chocolate that killed his mom explained to the kid that it's his fault for being selfish by eating too much candy. Obviously, the grown adult who knowingly sold a dangerous magical item to a child with no explanation or warning takes none of the fault. Clearly a 1950s book intended to scare kids into listening to their parents. And shame people who like sweets.
I guess it's a good learning opportunity to teach my child about problematic content.
Basically this kid ends up accidentally killing his mom by turning her into chocolate. He is only able to get her back after the guy who sold him the magic chocolate that killed his mom explained to the kid that it's his fault for being selfish by eating too much candy. Obviously, the grown adult who knowingly sold a dangerous magical item to a child with no explanation or warning takes none of the fault. Clearly a 1950s book intended to scare kids into listening to their parents. And shame people who like sweets.
I guess it's a good learning opportunity to teach my child about problematic content.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 7, 2017
Published in 1952, this book has a timeless element that still speaks to children today. It's based on the myth of King Midas and the plot follows the main points of that legend. We are holding our inaugural meeting of a children's book club this evening. A few members of my book club have similarly aged kids, so we are giving it a try. This is the book we are discussing (along with themed crafts, snacks, and games).
March 19, 2024
Reviewers don't agree, but the 2nd grader won
February 3, 2021
Reread this little blast from the past this morning on a whim. It was such a quick read, but I still enjoyed it!
This beginner chapter book puts a twist on the Midas story and gears it toward children. I remember reading this an age ago as a little girl in elementary school. Then when I saw the cover in a thrift store a few years ago, I jumped at the chance to add it to my collection. It's a book I think would appeal to a young boy or girl, an easy read, and one with a nice balance of levity, humor, and seriousness. (Sidenote: I actually had not realized that the book was as old as it is! I loved a lot of the phrases and language that showed through as a result of that.)
The story is a bit of a misadventure where a very chocolate-obsessed boy finds himself magically enchanted (by his own fault and short-sightedness) with a chocolate touch that grows increasingly worse as the story goes on. I love the progression of the story and, as a writer, noticed it hit classic plot points in a really simple way.
The only thing I didn't much like about the book was the slightly abruptness of the ending. The message is all well and dandy (too much of one thing isn't good for you), but there was a bit of pointed message about John's selfishness that didn't quite feel as well threaded into the story as it could have been. In the end, This rather abruptly turns his heart around. And, though we've watched him much more naturally come to the conclusion that all sweets all the time isn't so great, he didn't really even overcome the selfish bit. He just showed concern for one particular person and her well-being. He didn't even care about the others because he was in such a panic. So, it just felt like a wobbly leg to stand on thematically for that front. Like hammering in a crooked nail to try to get the point across.
That said, it's still a cute little adventure and a fun read. It made me smile and I'd read it again. This is a book I'd love to share with younger siblings or children around the second or third grade level. It's a kids book, so absolutely no inappropriate content. I think it would be fun to read to a kid at night before bed, chapter by chapter, or during reading time together as a family.
Re-read: 2.3.21
This beginner chapter book puts a twist on the Midas story and gears it toward children. I remember reading this an age ago as a little girl in elementary school. Then when I saw the cover in a thrift store a few years ago, I jumped at the chance to add it to my collection. It's a book I think would appeal to a young boy or girl, an easy read, and one with a nice balance of levity, humor, and seriousness. (Sidenote: I actually had not realized that the book was as old as it is! I loved a lot of the phrases and language that showed through as a result of that.)
The story is a bit of a misadventure where a very chocolate-obsessed boy finds himself magically enchanted (by his own fault and short-sightedness) with a chocolate touch that grows increasingly worse as the story goes on. I love the progression of the story and, as a writer, noticed it hit classic plot points in a really simple way.
The only thing I didn't much like about the book was the slightly abruptness of the ending. The message is all well and dandy (too much of one thing isn't good for you), but there was a bit of pointed message about John's selfishness that didn't quite feel as well threaded into the story as it could have been. In the end, This rather abruptly turns his heart around. And, though we've watched him much more naturally come to the conclusion that all sweets all the time isn't so great, he didn't really even overcome the selfish bit. He just showed concern for one particular person and her well-being. He didn't even care about the others because he was in such a panic. So, it just felt like a wobbly leg to stand on thematically for that front. Like hammering in a crooked nail to try to get the point across.
That said, it's still a cute little adventure and a fun read. It made me smile and I'd read it again. This is a book I'd love to share with younger siblings or children around the second or third grade level. It's a kids book, so absolutely no inappropriate content. I think it would be fun to read to a kid at night before bed, chapter by chapter, or during reading time together as a family.
Re-read: 2.3.21
August 7, 2012
1. I liked ''The Chocolate Touch'' for multiple reasons. For example, The Chocolate Touch was a quick and short book with an interesting plot. I also liked this book because it teaching a lot of life lessons. I say this because this book only has 128 pages and has an interesting plot which is about a greedy boy who all he eats is chocolate page 24. I also say this because this book has taught me to be considerate in life.
2. Someone who would like this book is someone who likes a book that actually means something and will teach you something in life. I say this because this book has a lot of lessons to be learned and also a lot of symbolism of items. For example, the chocolate could symbolize John's greed or the the little chocolate ball that makes him sick could symbolize a consequence.
3. One challenging aspect of this book was it being so short so it had to go in a really fast pace to finish the story. Which in some areas in the book it just felt like there wasn't enough detail.
4. One theme I learned in this book is to be appreciate in life i=even with the smallest things. Another theme is to do different things in life, to be unique. For example, all John was eating in the beginning was chocolate but then he got sick and was forced to eat different foods so that taught him his lesson in my perspective.
2. Someone who would like this book is someone who likes a book that actually means something and will teach you something in life. I say this because this book has a lot of lessons to be learned and also a lot of symbolism of items. For example, the chocolate could symbolize John's greed or the the little chocolate ball that makes him sick could symbolize a consequence.
3. One challenging aspect of this book was it being so short so it had to go in a really fast pace to finish the story. Which in some areas in the book it just felt like there wasn't enough detail.
4. One theme I learned in this book is to be appreciate in life i=even with the smallest things. Another theme is to do different things in life, to be unique. For example, all John was eating in the beginning was chocolate but then he got sick and was forced to eat different foods so that taught him his lesson in my perspective.
August 24, 2014
This is a 'sweet' children's version of the classic King Midas and the Golden Touch story. The narrative is perfect for children who are beginning to read chapter books and the story has a cautionary message about eating too much candy and being selfish.
I love that John is eager to eat a variety of foods after his ordeal. As a parent, I am familiar with the constant effort to ensure our girls are eating healthy foods. Our girls are fairly game to eat what I cook, but sometimes they will balk at something new and unfamiliar.
The black and white illustrations are very expressive and complement the story nicely. Our youngest brought this book home from her second-grade class as homework and we enjoyed discussing the plot together.
It appears that there are more books featuring John Midas by Patrick Skene Catling, but our local library doesn't have them, so I don't know if we'll have chance to read them.
I love that John is eager to eat a variety of foods after his ordeal. As a parent, I am familiar with the constant effort to ensure our girls are eating healthy foods. Our girls are fairly game to eat what I cook, but sometimes they will balk at something new and unfamiliar.
The black and white illustrations are very expressive and complement the story nicely. Our youngest brought this book home from her second-grade class as homework and we enjoyed discussing the plot together.
It appears that there are more books featuring John Midas by Patrick Skene Catling, but our local library doesn't have them, so I don't know if we'll have chance to read them.
October 27, 2007
I just came across this book again while working @ B&N (I'm in the Kid's Dept.). I remember reading it when I was younger, probably somewhere between third and fifth grade, and I found it both fun and slightly disturbing. Not that horrified disturbing, but that uncomfortable disturbing. Just like the Midas Touch, everything this kid eats turns into chocolate after eating a special candy from a store. Its crazy, but he thinks its cool until he turns his parents into chocolate statues. I remember feeling bad for the kid at the time, but I suppose he did that whole "learn a valuable lesson" thing. Too much of a good thing and all that. But I remember being very satisfied by the story in the end. Pick it up if you're so inclined!
February 25, 2014
Blah. I bought this for one of my nephews who is an absolute chocolate fiend. He loves it more than just about anything. It's his little sister's birthday soon and I thought this would be something fun to give him so he doesn't have to sit there watching her unwrap parcels with nothing of his own.
Unfortunately, it turned out to be a rather predictable tale based on the story of King Midas in which a boy named John learns that too much of a nice thing isn't nice at all. Possibly a good book for a child who has been allowed to eat far too much junk, but not a particularly fun story. It'll be going back to the charity shop.
Unfortunately, it turned out to be a rather predictable tale based on the story of King Midas in which a boy named John learns that too much of a nice thing isn't nice at all. Possibly a good book for a child who has been allowed to eat far too much junk, but not a particularly fun story. It'll be going back to the charity shop.
May 20, 2017
I'm sure that all of us have heard of the story of the Midas touch in one way or another. This is a kids' version, with a boy who loves chocolate so much that he wishes everything he eats could be chocolate, especially because there's other foods that he doesn't like!
Anyone familiar with the Midas story also knows that soon enough, the touch becomes a burden, especially when he inadvertently turns non-food into chocolate. It's a fun story for kids, and would be a pretty fast read for adults. I read this back in elementary school and loved it. Yup, too much of a good thing is a bad thing!
Anyone familiar with the Midas story also knows that soon enough, the touch becomes a burden, especially when he inadvertently turns non-food into chocolate. It's a fun story for kids, and would be a pretty fast read for adults. I read this back in elementary school and loved it. Yup, too much of a good thing is a bad thing!
January 17, 2014
The chocolate touch is a great book. It teaches you not to be greedy. Because when a boy finds a magic coin with his initials on it he decides to start a coin collection. But when he walks past a chocolate store. CHOCOLATE, CHOCOLATE, CHOCOLATE. The boy loves chocolate. He walks into the store and buys candy completely forgetting about his coin collection. When he opens the gigantic box he finds only one chocolate. But when he eats it it's the best chocolate he has ever eaten. The next morning he walks up every thing tastes like chocolate. And the rest is up to YOU to find out.
September 20, 2011
I suppose this is a useful way to introduce kids to the King Midas myth (legend? story?). But wow! It's preachy and moralistic. And all the adults are so dismissive of John - was that true to the era, or just another example of the annoying writing style? My 8yo seemed to like it okay, but it wasn't a fav. He said it was kind of cheesy. The 11yo (who read it to himself) said it was too predictable.
March 27, 2018
I read this book with my little one. She loves chocolate and got a kick out of this story. We even ate chocolate while we read it. It was quite a fun experience reading and learning a few life lessons. I liked how the story was written and enjoyed how it kept her engaged. I loved how John came full circle and my little one’s favorite part was the trumpet episode. She giggled so hard that it was sweet. It was quite the experience and we made some memories.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,446 reviews