Chocolate Milk, Por Favor: Celebrating Diversity with Empathy

By Maria Dismondy, Donna Farrell, Nancy Day and Elizabeth Supan

While the other kids happily bound into the classroom, Gabe stands with his mother outside the door, timid and unsure about walking into school. That's because Gabe is the new kid at school and he doesn't speak English.

Gabe is from another country. With English as a second language, starting school felt scary and intimidating. How would he know what to do? What would the other kids think?
The teacher goes out of her way to make Gabe feel welcome and encourages the other kids to celebrate diversity with empathy. But that doesn't stop Johnny from going out of his way to be unkind.

Chocolate Milk, Por Favor illustrates how actions speak louder than words and drives home the importance of celebrating diversity, kindness, inclusion and empathy. Because no matter what language you speak, kindness is the universal language of all.

Learn how to celebrate differences in this powerful story and discover how chocolate milk plays a major role in the discovery of the real universal language.
Heartwarming and real! "Every child should read this book. It can help children understand their feelings when they meet someone different from themselves and help them find a common ground." – Verified Amazon review

This book is the perfect complement to other books in your home or school library that focus on ESL, diversity and empathy. Like the work of Bobbi Kates (We're Different, We're the Same - Sesame Street) and Shannon Olsen (Our Class is a Family.)

Maria Dismondy is a sought-after author, publisher and public speaker. Although fictional, Chocolate Milk, Por Favor is based on a true story from Maria's own life.

This book comes with a free Reader's Guide for children. The guide is available for free download from the Cardinal Rule Press website. Lesson plans, activities and discussion questions to allow parents, teachers and caregivers to explore the topic further and deepen comprehension.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Cardinal Rule Press
• Release date: Jun 1, 2016
• ISBN: 9780984855889

Book preview

Reviews for Chocolate Milk, Por Favor

[wichitafriendsschool · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

It's Gabe's first day of school in America, and he doesn't speak English. Narrated by Johnny, this is a story of how Johnny's dislike for Gabe because he is different changes slowly into friendship.

[dalial. · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Genre: contemporary realistic fictionI would use this book to:-teach students about inclusion-teach students about themeSummary: This book is about a boy named Gabe who goes to his first day of school in the United States. Gabe has a hard time in school because he doesn't speak English. One of Gabe's classmates, Johnny, has a hard time becoming friends with Gabe because Gabe can speak English. After Johnny shows some kindness to Gabe, they are able to become good friends despite the language barrier. Media: pencilCritique:"Milk Chocolate Por Favor" is a great example of contemporary realistic fiction because it is relatable. Many students who came from a different country and couldn't speak Englsih are going to relate to the character of Gabe. Students can also relate to the character of Johnny who has a hard time being accepting of Gabe but later becomes great friends with him,

[raeganzuyus · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This book is about a little boy who at first is looked at as weird and a cry baby by a boy in his class. He slowly starts to win the heart of his peers as the accept who he is and help guide him through his struggle with English. This is such a good book to teach students the importance of acceptance and empathy! It does a really good job at showing the perspective of both the ELL and the other students where in the end everyone finds a sense of belonging and friendship.