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The Chocolate Cat
In a drab village nestled between the mountains and the sea, an old chocolate maker lives alone with his cat, making uninspired chocolates to display in his dusty shop. One day he does something different and makes chocolate mice with crunchy pink-sugar tails—but he won't eat them. Cat soon discovers there's something truly special about these little mice, and everyone who tastes them is inspired to create something new and different, something the little village has never seen. Sue Stainton and Anne Mortimer have created a picture-book ode to chocolate and creativity!
32 pages, Hardcover
First published October 1, 2007
1 person is currently reading
39 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
March 14, 2020
After greatly enjoying Sue Stainton and Anne Mortimer's
Santa's Snow Cat
(not to mention Anne Mortimer's illustrations for
A Pussycat's Christmas
), I was eager to pick up another joint venture from this talented author/illustrator team, and The Chocolate Cat seemed like a natural choice. Stainton and Mortimer? Chocolate and cats? What's not to love?!? The engaging tale of a grim chocolatier whose life is changed by Cat - the none-too-friendly feline who shares his shop and his life - it is also the story of the transformation of an entire village, from a drab little no-account place, to a vibrant community of friends. All through the magic of chocolate (and cats), of course!
You'd think that with a storyline such as this, together with Anne Mortimer's gorgeous illustrations, I would have been more enthusiastic in my response to this book, but the truth is that although I enjoyed it, I really wasn't as impressed as I'd expected to be. The narrative, while appealing, just felt a little too forced. Still, the artwork is beautiful - I can see why Mortimer is considered the "cat artist" par excellence! - and some of the treats described had my mouth watering. Recommended to young cat and chocolate lovers, and to fans of Anne Mortimer's artwork.
You'd think that with a storyline such as this, together with Anne Mortimer's gorgeous illustrations, I would have been more enthusiastic in my response to this book, but the truth is that although I enjoyed it, I really wasn't as impressed as I'd expected to be. The narrative, while appealing, just felt a little too forced. Still, the artwork is beautiful - I can see why Mortimer is considered the "cat artist" par excellence! - and some of the treats described had my mouth watering. Recommended to young cat and chocolate lovers, and to fans of Anne Mortimer's artwork.
October 31, 2020
SUMMARY: In a drab village, an old chocolate maker lives in a dusty shop alone with his cat. One day he is inspired to make chocolate mice with pink-sugar tails. Cat soon finds out they are magical and delivers them around town. Everyone who tastes them becomes inspired to make beautiful creations of their own bringing happiness and life to the little village. NOTES: The story is more for adults than children reflecting a storyline that reminds me of Chocolat by Joanne Harris. I remembered this book from the first time I read it mainly for the illustrations by Anne Mortimer. I relocated a copy when doing a chocolate themed study. The story is ok for chocolate but is better in themes about inspiration, cooperation, and creativity. The story has the flair of a European village and small town life.
However, I do think it would make a great title in the chocolate curriculum when focusing on art - what chocolate would you design to attract people into a unused chocolate shoppe. (added 03/04/2019)
REMINDER: DO NOT FEED CHOCOLATE TO CATS (OR DOGS)
ACTIVITY: Did you notice the names of the villagers? (updated 09/21/19)
The greengrocer’s name was Mr. Green.
The baker was Mr. Crumb.
The flower shop owner was Mrs. Bloomer.
The hardware store owner was Mr. Steel.
Can you come up with interesting names for other people that might live in the village? What would be the name of the butcher, the doctor, the teacher?
However, I do think it would make a great title in the chocolate curriculum when focusing on art - what chocolate would you design to attract people into a unused chocolate shoppe. (added 03/04/2019)
REMINDER: DO NOT FEED CHOCOLATE TO CATS (OR DOGS)
ACTIVITY: Did you notice the names of the villagers? (updated 09/21/19)
The greengrocer’s name was Mr. Green.
The baker was Mr. Crumb.
The flower shop owner was Mrs. Bloomer.
The hardware store owner was Mr. Steel.
Can you come up with interesting names for other people that might live in the village? What would be the name of the butcher, the doctor, the teacher?
March 22, 2008
Anne Mortimer's illustrations were, of course, gorgeous, but the story was so-so. In the first place, I don't know any cat that's attracted to chocolate or something like a "sugar tail". And secondly, how could the cat carry the chocolate mouse by the tail without the tail breaking? Her historical note in the back was interesting, and I'm glad she added a warning that chocolate isn't good for cats. However, I think that warning should have come at the beginning of the book, not at the bottom of the last page. Disappointing.
April 5, 2008
When an unhappy chocolate maker creates a delicious batch of chocolate mice with pink sugar tails, his clever cat devises a plan to spread a bit of happiness with each mouse. Stainton's original and imaginative story is perfectly paired with Anne Mortimer's delightful illustrations of all the shop treats. Her chocolate-colored cat is so finely detailed that his eyes dance and each whisker seems to twitch. A history of chocolate following the story is a nice addition.
March 3, 2024
Recently I noticed that this picture book had been on my to-read list for many years. I don’t even know where I’d heard of it. But the dedication includes “all chocolate lovers everywhere” so I guess it was written for me.
Dewey’s Reverse Read-a-Thon
August 2020
Book 6
Dewey’s Reverse Read-a-Thon
August 2020
Book 6
January 1, 2018
The story is nice, about collaboration and creativity. It starts with a dreary chocolate maker in a dreary chocolate shop in a dreary town, and his cat (a rich chocolate-brown color, of course!) with the dreary name of Cat.
Through the middle, each scene follows a pattern similar to the others as the different shop owners try a chocolate mouse (delivered by Cat--suspend your hygiene issues for this story!) and come to the chocolate shop with a wonderful idea. I liked how the shop owner's names went along with their occupations (Mr Green the grocer, Mr Crumb the baker, Mrs Hazel with the herbs, Mrs Bloomer at the flower shop, and Mr Steel at the hardware store.) Each one starts a new collaboration with the chocolatier to create new treats and improve the shop. Soon the children come in and the creations get more whimsical. Through all this though, the chocolate maker does not smile. Finally, the magical chocolate mice tempt him, and he too is inspired to make huge, lifelike chocolate sculptures, including one of Cat. And he smiles!
The real stand-out for me however was the illustrations. They are as rich as chocolate itself, with great detail and texture and smoothness. The personality of a cat is also captured perfectly, from yawning, playfulness, sleepy eyes, food-watching stance, and different sitting positions. All of the treats look good enough to eat, and the borders at the tops and bottoms of the pages are cute with no sacrifice on quality. (I especially like the blueberry & raspberry one.) And the delicate pink sugar tails on the chocolate mice are just the right stand-out within the overall color palette to lend that hint of magic to them.
The book ends with a one-page overview of the origins and history of chocolate. It's a good summary considering the space constraints.
The final sentence is a note that you should not feed your cat chocolate, but real mice are fine. I was glad to see that as I did have to stop a moment at the beginning when the cat tasted a chocolate mouse! Hopefully no one who doesn't already know better skips over the last page and ends up with a sick kitty!
Through the middle, each scene follows a pattern similar to the others as the different shop owners try a chocolate mouse (delivered by Cat--suspend your hygiene issues for this story!) and come to the chocolate shop with a wonderful idea. I liked how the shop owner's names went along with their occupations (Mr Green the grocer, Mr Crumb the baker, Mrs Hazel with the herbs, Mrs Bloomer at the flower shop, and Mr Steel at the hardware store.) Each one starts a new collaboration with the chocolatier to create new treats and improve the shop. Soon the children come in and the creations get more whimsical. Through all this though, the chocolate maker does not smile. Finally, the magical chocolate mice tempt him, and he too is inspired to make huge, lifelike chocolate sculptures, including one of Cat. And he smiles!
The real stand-out for me however was the illustrations. They are as rich as chocolate itself, with great detail and texture and smoothness. The personality of a cat is also captured perfectly, from yawning, playfulness, sleepy eyes, food-watching stance, and different sitting positions. All of the treats look good enough to eat, and the borders at the tops and bottoms of the pages are cute with no sacrifice on quality. (I especially like the blueberry & raspberry one.) And the delicate pink sugar tails on the chocolate mice are just the right stand-out within the overall color palette to lend that hint of magic to them.
The book ends with a one-page overview of the origins and history of chocolate. It's a good summary considering the space constraints.
The final sentence is a note that you should not feed your cat chocolate, but real mice are fine. I was glad to see that as I did have to stop a moment at the beginning when the cat tasted a chocolate mouse! Hopefully no one who doesn't already know better skips over the last page and ends up with a sick kitty!
September 3, 2025
A classic. Beautiful illustrations, good morals, and such a cute premise. The fact that it only has 3.7 stars is a travesty; to such a degree I made a goodreads account just to leave it a better review. I would leave it 7/5 stars if I could.
Also- to anyone applying logic to a children’s book about a cat: It’s for kids, it’s not meant to be realistic, and I hope you find some whimsy in life.
Also- to anyone applying logic to a children’s book about a cat: It’s for kids, it’s not meant to be realistic, and I hope you find some whimsy in life.
March 25, 2018
A bit different then I thought it would be, but was enjoyable for a quick read. Personally, I think it helps allow the imagination grow, and see what can happen next with a little help. Read well with a chocolate shop visit!
January 11, 2025
3.5 rounded up.
The illustrations are gorgeous, as I would expect from this illustrator. The story was cute but just okay. It is a fun way to talk with very young children about chocolate and Candy making, and there is a note in the end that talks about the process.
The illustrations are gorgeous, as I would expect from this illustrator. The story was cute but just okay. It is a fun way to talk with very young children about chocolate and Candy making, and there is a note in the end that talks about the process.
March 11, 2025
Quite lengthy picture book; I love how it includes chocolate facts at the end of the story. The illustration is also beautiful and when I did this for a story-time, I held a mini hunt for all the chocolate mice we could find per page. Interactive!
March 14, 2024
Not my thing.
July 2, 2009
In a small village lived a chocolate maker. they were not yet famous. Very few people came to his chocolate shop. One day on a whim he makes little chocolate mice with pink sugar tales. The cat sees something magical about them. One by one he delivers them to different businesses around the village and something magical begins to happen to the village.
April 3, 2008
What lovely illustrations! But I'm concerned that kids might get the message that it's okay for cats to each chocolate. Cats shouldn't eat chocolate! Those chocolate mice that were magical had to be special magical chocolate that wouldn't make cats sick too!
December 12, 2010
The illustrations are very pretty and the story is sweet but rather uninspired and even a little slow, perhaps, for restless youngsters. They may prefer to enjoy the pictures while making up their own narrative.
August 11, 2008
It is cute and sweet, and I like the mice. This book is scrumptious.
Mom read.
Mom read.
August 13, 2008
Mommy says: Gorgeously illustrated story of a cat who helps the chocolate maker self-actualize.
May 4, 2011
I thought this was really cute, with the cat trying to help his master.
October 30, 2012
July 11, 2012
January 20, 2013
I really liked it because the cat took the chocolate mice with the sugar tails to each and every store.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 30, 2008
Illustrations were really nice but otherwise not a really stand-out children's story...
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews