“All I really need is love, but a little chocolate now and then doesn't hurt!”
Lucy Van Pelt (Peanuts, by Charles M. Schulz)

The idea of chocolate conjures up certain ideas and images in most people’s minds. In children it’s usually magical and mystical. When it comes to adults, there’s usually a love focused or erotic flavour to it. Both of these themes are readily seen in both literature and films!

When it comes to adult-focused books and films, the most renowned is Chocolat, a 1999 novel by Joanne Harris. Set in 1959 France, it’s about a young mother whose homemade chocolates magically change the lives of local people in a small town. In the year 2000 it was made into a delightful and popular movie starring Juliette Binoche, Johnny Depp, and Judi Dench. Not surprisingly, it received several Academy Award and Golden Globe nominations.

Like Water for Chocolate (Como agua para chocolate) was published in 1989 by first time Mexican novelist Laura Esquivel. A woman, Tita, is forbidden by her mother to marry the man she loves - who then marries her older sister to remain close to Tita. The book is divided into 12 sections (months), each detailing a different Mexican dish, linking it to an event in Tita’s life. The resulting film swept the Mexican film awards, and was the highest money-making foreign film released in the US.

Another wonderful book, Bittersweet Journey: A Modestly Erotic Novel of Love, Longing, and Chocolate, was written by American Enid Futterman and published in 1998. One woman’s quest for love, sex, and chocolate takes her on an adventure to the chocolate capitals of the world. With pictures of famous chocolates, some actual recipes, and even the true addresses of the world’s top chocolatiers, it’s an adventure you want to be part of! Hopefully a movie will soon be in the making!

The most well-known children’s book - spawning two award-winning films - is Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, written by British author Roald Dahl in 1964. It’s about the adventures of young Charlie Bucket inside the chocolate factory of eccentric candy maker Willy Wonka. Charlie finds one of 5 golden tickets inside a Wonka chocolate bar and wins a tour of the factory and a lifetime supply of chocolate. At the end, Wonka asks Charlie to come live with him and inherit the factory. It wraps up with Charlie, his dad and Willie Wonka learning the true value of family. The first movie adaptation, Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, came out in 1971. It starred Gene Wilder as the crazy chocolatier and was a box office hit, receiving an Academy Award nomination for best original score. In 2005 Tim Burton directed Charlie and the Chocolate Factory starring Johnny Depp as Willie. It was also immensely popular, receiving an Academy Award nomination for Best Costume Design.

While these are some of the more popular chocolate-themed books and movies, there are many more to enjoy. Other children's books include: The Chocolate Touch by Patrick Skene Catling, Hot Fudge by James Howe, Chocolatina by Erik Kraft and Chocolate Fever by Robert Kimmel Smith.