World Chocolate Day
7 July is World Chocolate Day, and we’re at the table to help you celebrate this beloved treat. From books for Children, delicious recipe books, movies from around the world, and sweet, chocolatey fiction… we’ve got some delicious options to curl up with (mug of hot chocolate compulsory, of course!)
Charlie and the chocolate factory, by Roald Dahl
Mr Willy Wonka, the most wondrous inventor in the world, opens his gates of his amazing chocolate factory to five lucky children. Gobstoppers, wriggle sweets and a river of melted chocolate delight await – Charlie needs just one Golden Ticket and these delicious treats could all be his!
Find it in the Library, plus the original (best) movie Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory
Beans to chocolate, by Sarah Ridley
Everyone loves chocolate, especially kids! This Children’s book shows you where it comes from, how it’s made and ends up on supermarket shelves. Follow the story of chocolate through the farming process to manufacturing.
A wizard’s guide to defensive baking, by T. Kingfisher
Not so much into chocolate? Prefer something a little thrilling? This is one of librarian Craig’s favourite books, described as definitely more bakery than chocolate, but it’s gorgeous!
Fourteen-year-old Mona isn’t like the wizards charged with defending the city. Her familiar is a sourdough starter and her magic only works on bread. She has a comfortable life in her aunt’s bakery making gingerbread men dance. But Mona’s life is turned upside down when she finds a dead body on the bakery floor. An assassin is stalking the streets of Mona’s city, preying on magic folk, and it appears that Mona is his next target.
Whittaker’s : a passion for chocolate since 1896
Whittaker’s is a much-loved Kiwi brand and a genuine family business going back four generations. This luscious book takes a light-hearted look at the history of the business, and how the chocolate is made, and then gives a range of fully tested recipes.
Chocolate alchemy : a bean to bar primer : creating your own truffles, candies, cakes, fudge and sipping chocolates, by Kristen Hard
Feeling cheffy? This collection of 100 fresh recipes celebrates bean-to-bar chocolate from the ground up. Including a revolutionary recipe for making chocolate from scratch from cacao beans.
Chocolate, by Dom Ramsey
Chocolate is a decadent and in-depth exploration of the world’s favourite sweet treat. From cacao’s origins, trace the journey of chocolate across the globe, with tips on how to make, buy, taste, and cook with this delicious treat. With 15 indulgent recipes worthy of a chocolatier, try something delicious with Chocolate.
There’s always room for chocolate : recipes from the Chocolate Room
This curated collection of more than 80 recipes, that all chocolate lovers must have in their arsenal, features the very best versions of the most essential chocolate desserts and confections, from updated, improved classics to cult favorites. From cakes and cookies to pies and puddings, bonbons and beverages, it’s a complete guide to chocolate at home.
I quit sugar with Sarah Wilson : the ultimate chocolate cookbook, by Sarah Wilson
Are you avoiding sugar? Sarah Wilson and her IQS team taught the world to quit sugar in eight weeks. In this book Sarah incorporates her mindful, sustainable and economical practices to ditch the guilt and show how to quit sugar without also quitting chocolate.
Sweet Fiction
Avoid the kitchen with a good book! We’ve got a rollicking collection of mysteries and crime fiction with some sweet settings:
Find sweet mystery and crime fiction for Adults, or check out The Quality Street series; the story of three plucky factory girls, set against the backdrop of Britain’s beloved wrapped chocolate.
Chocolat
Described as “a delicious comic fable” this film is set in a small French village where life has remained unchanged for 100 years. When a single mother and her young daughter move to rural France and open a chocolate shop – with Sunday hours – across the street from the local church, they are met with some resistance from the rigidly moral community. But as soon as the townspeople discover their delicious products, their attitudes begin to change.
Like Water for Chocolate, by Laura Esquivel
As the youngest daughter, Tita is forbidden by Mexican tradition to marry. Instead, she pours all of her emotions into her delicious recipes, which she shares with readers along the way.When Tita falls in love with Pedro, he is seduced by the magical food she cooks. Unfortunately, he’s married to her sister…
Murder, She Baked
Murder, She Baked is an American/Canadian television film series, based on the mystery novels written by Joanne Fluke.
Find the full collection in the Library
Find more Joanne Fluke in the Library (for those who prefer books)