"The boy is teased for looking different than the other kids. His skin is darker, his hair curlier. He tells his mother he wishes he could be more like everyone else. And she helps him to see how beautiful he really, truly is. For years before they both achieved acclaim in their respective professions, good friends Taye Diggs and Shane W. Evans wanted to collaborate on Chocolate Me!!, a book based on experiences of feeling different and trying to fit in as kids. Now, both men are fathers and see more than ever the need for a picture book that encourages all people, especially kids, to love themselves." - MyBrownBaby.com
In this modern day culture, there are many pressures affecting children. Children are subjected to peer pressure that has a dramatic impact on their self-esteem. Parents of children of color often do not know the proper way to increase their child’s self-esteem and confidence. Parents in mixed race families have even more difficulty. Taye Diggs, famous father and author, has helped by offering positive messages of self-esteem for children of color in his new book , Chocolate Me! In Chocolate Me!, Mr. Diggs' heartwarming tale addresses the problems of self-esteem and confidence. His lifelong inspiration to answer and provide a new understanding to families with children of mixed heritage is commendable.
“Chocolate Me!,” by Mr. Diggs is a conglomerated project finding its origins in Mr. Diggs own lifestyle and upbringing -- he suffered from self-esteem issues as a child. Chocolate Me addresses the issues a child faces when he/she is different from everyone else and that difference provides opportunities for all parents to begin talking with their children about being different and/or not accepted for being different.
A child may ask, "Is there another Chocolate Me!?" or "Why doesn't anyone else look like me?" These questions are often asked in innocence, but these questions need answers to maintain a child’s self-esteem. Taye Diggs' Chocolate Me! is the perfect vehicle to help parents begin discussing self-esteem and confidence while promoting self-love and acceptance.
Chocolate Me! is now available at Dollslikeme.com. By offering a variety of books (like Chocolate Me!), dolls and toys that represent children of all colors and nationalities, Dolls Like Me provides the parents with the play tools necessary to help encourage children to embrace and accept their uniqueness and beauty.
Dolls Like Me President Denise Gary-Robinson contends, "Books and toys children can relate to have a silent (but positive) impact on self-esteem and self-acceptance." Further, she believes that a child who learns his or her value and through positive messages, in books, as well as through their environment and surroundings is a child that grows up to be a mentally healthy and happy child with self-confidence and a clear understanding of his or her value in our society. Chocolate Me is just such a book.
