Sir Chocolate Children’s Books – by: Robbie and Michael Cheadle

On By ResaIn Book Reviews, Interviews

This delightful series of Children’s books teaches many things: kindness, community,  acceptance, environment and more.

Resa – I believe the above is the first book in the series.

Robbie – It is the first book in the series. It was the first children’s book my publisher, TSL Publications, published too, so it was a learning curve for all of us.

Resa – On page 22 there’s a roaring fire. It looks delicious. What is it made out of?

Robbie – Ah yes, that fire was fun to make (and eat). The logs are made of a chocolate bar we get in South Africa called a Flake. It is quite crumbly and does look like it’s made of wood. 
The fire is made from yellow buttercream piped using a large star nozzle and the earth is made from crushed, dark Oreos. Very delicious.

Resa – So, your son and husband are both named Michael!

(This is a bit embarrassing, but I thought Robbie wrote these books with her husband.)

Robbie – My husband’s name is Terence. Both my sons have Dean as a second name which is my father’s first name. It is a family name that has been passed down for a number of generations.
Resa – “Sir Chocolate and the sugar dough bees” is quite pertinent and important in my mind. Bees are so important to our survival. Did you and Michael do this tale as a teaching story?
🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝
Robbie – Yes, all the books have a subtle teaching point about teamwork, friendship, acceptance or the environment. The Sugar Dough Bees and The Condensed Milk River are both about environmental issues and I have been pleased that lots of the children do pick up on them. It shows that the schools and their parents are giving them good guidance about our planet and looking after it.

Resa – Yes, last night I read “The Condensed Milk River”. It’s great that you feature environmental issues.

Resa – Your son was 10 when you wrote these books based on some of his ideas.  That was in 2016. He must be 16 – 17 now. Does he still help with ideas?

Robbie – Michael is turned 17 on Monday, 30 January. He does still help with ideas for the stories, he has a wonderful imagination. Most of the Sir Chocolate books were written in 2014 and 2015 although I am only publishing some of them now.

I haven’t had to change them much as we still like the stories. My artwork has grown though and I’ve tackled more difficult projects like fondant dogs and a gingerbread caravan.

Michael assisted with a number of the ideas and themes for Haunted Halloween Holiday which we wrote and published last year.

He is very open minded and there is a strong theme of acceptance of difference in that book. A Vampire (Count Sugular) is married to a witch (Witch Honey) and their male baby is a banshee (I’ve only heard of female banshees before). I have been delighted to see child readers picking up on this and making remarks about a vampire married to a witch.

Resa – I see in “The Sugar Crystal Caves” that the recipes are not cooked or baked, but are created out of biscuits, wafers and other already made treats that are glued together with icing sugar.

This seems fun for younger children, that are not ready to bake, even with mom’s help. Is this what you intended?

Robbie – The instructions on how to make boats, cars, and other fun things from biscuits and icing was just an idea I had when I wrote that particular book. I had been remembering making sugar crystals and racing cars out of boudoir biscuits when I was a kid and I wanted to share that knowledge. I don’t think kids are shown how to do these sorts of activities any more and they are such fun. I did a few of these activities with my Sunday School class and they loved it. Biscuit art is an alternative to baking and is also a fun and bonding exercise for children and caregivers.

This particular book has done well with the pre-schools. I think the biscuit art is easier for teachers to do with their classes than baking.

Resa – I like the biscuit art. It’s like food LEGO. Kids get that.

What a great suggestion – biscuit art is like Lego. I didn’t think of it like that but your are right, it is all about construction.

Resa – In “Sir Chocolate and the Fondant Five”, you teach about African animals. It seems there is more to this than just teaching about animals. After all, they have to be saved from the lazy elves. What was your & Michael’s objective in this story?

Robbie – The objective of this particular book was partly to teach children about the “Big Five African Animals”, but it was also about teamwork and formulating a plan to solve a difficult problem. Sir Chocolate and the other animals all work together to find and rescue the Fondant Five. They derive a plan and implement it. 

Resa – After I read “Sir Chocolate and the Ice Cream Fairies”, I thought….. Kindness and understanding bring personal rewards. Am I on the mark here?

Robbie – This little book had a few subtle themes. Obviously, colours was one, as well as different flavours and tastes and being adventurous about different taste combinations. Kindness and being helpful and thoughtful if people are sick are unable to attend to their jobs and needs for a period, was also a theme. 

Resa – In “Chocolate Fudge Saves the Sugar Dog”, Sir Chocolate’s son is the hero. You teach about some dogs, but there is more. Tell me about the main lesson in this book!

Robbie –  Chocolate Fudge is intended to be a good example to children. He is smiley,  always polite to teachers, and does his work and achieves good marks. The dogs, on the other hand, are naughty and undisciplined. They chase the ducks and scare the frog. When Lord Humbug calls for the little dog who is struggling in the water, he doesn’t listen, but choses to carry on playing. As a result of his disobedience, he ends up in trouble and nearly drowning. Chocolate Fudge is brave and becomes a hero by saving the little dog.

I’ve also read “Haunted Halloween Holiday”. I reviewed it on my Hallowe’en post. Click on the book cover & go to that post. Scroll to near the end and find the review!
Diana from “Myths of the Mirror”blog reviewed Robbie’s new children’s Christmas story. Click on the above image, and go to the page of reviews. Diana writes the best book reviews!

Resa – I adore all of your fondant characters & cake castles & scenes etc. Personally, your fondant flowers blow my mind. Is the day lily on the shortbread in “the strawberry cream berries” a fondant or real flower?

Robbie – Yes, that flower is made from fondant. It is a wired flower which means that I run a narrow piece of florists wire through the base of each petal when I made them (each petal is made separately, of course). When they are dry, I then twist the wires together to form the flower. Wired flowers are challenging to make.

I modelled the pink one you referred to on a similar coloured flower in our garden. I love animals, birds, flowers and nature in all its shapes and forms. I usually study flowers, and other creatures for a few weeks before I attempt to model one. I like to get the small details right in each creation.

Resa –  Robbie, I’m all into details. Thank you for patiently answering my many questions. It allowed me to write a detailed post on the marvellous creation of a son and his mother.

To learn about making fondant sculptures from Robbie, click on the cake above!

On top of everything there are recipes to go with the stories. Most are classic treats. Robbie shows us how to make Choc Chip Cookie & Choc Cupcakes.

The videos are edited by Gregory Cheadle, Michael’s brother older by 3 years.

Click on Robbie’s profile above, and go to her books on Amazon.

OR buy paperbacks directly from her publisher – https://tslbooks.uk/product-tag/sir-chocolate/

174 thoughts on “Sir Chocolate Children’s Books – by: Robbie and Michael Cheadle”

  1. Thanks for featuring Robbie’s and Michael’s wonderful work, Resa! One cannot often enough praise this work for what we now call “holistic lessons”. There is the important element of haptic learning and the fun of eating the whole thing. Nobody can want more. Right? Best wishes, Michael

          1. Not just any old post my darling. Always an epic one and every one very different. I think we don’t always realise gifts because to someone with a gift, it’s just what they do, without thinking. xxxx

  5. Oh Wow! What a wonderful series of stories and books! I’d never have thought of illustrating my stories using foodstuffs in this way – what a way to hook a child’s attention! And it caught mine too at the mention of “Flake” chocolate fingers….we get them here in the UK and we sometimes treat ourselves to an ice-cream cone with a Flake bar stuck into the top it — we call them a “99 Flake” cone! Thanks to Robbie for partaking in the interview!

      1. Hello again, your “food illustrations” are one of the most imaginative ideas I’ve seen for a while. I had seen these big party cakes on TV shows like “Cake Masters” etc but to use the food as storytelling aids is totally different.
        And the ice cream 99 Flakes were fabulous but the ice cream had to be the high cream content type. There is a brand named “Mr Whippy” in the UK and it is soft it is dispensed through a motorised piping nozzle into the cone. My dad used to work for the Mr Whippy company repairing their fleet of ice cream trucks so I got quite a few cones during my childhood! Thanks again and I wish you continued success in future!

    2. I adore the food LEGO part.
      Ahh, the Flake! Interesting, a “99 Flake” cone.
      Robbie was a great sport during the interview. I keep emailing…one question here, another there.
      I’m thrilled with how it all came out!

      1. Hi Resa, I just replied to Robbie’s comment and I spoke to her about the 99 Flake – I used to get quite a lot of them because my father worked as a mechanic for the Mr Whippy ice cream company that sold the 99 Flake (he repaired their fleet of vending trucks and got free ice cream!) This was a great post all round, thanks.

  6. Timothy Price

    Wonderful interview, Resa. I noticed her children have the same middle name that I have. Cool. Love the videos.

    2. Oh very cool, Timothy Dean Price!
      Dean is a classic name. The videos are a lot of fun, and teach how to make some classic chocolate treats, to go with the name. xx

      1. Timothy Price

        When my parents would say “Timothy Dean Price!” I knew is was in trouble. Otherwise, my middle name was never used. Still not used.

          1. Timothy Price

            I was certainly not what people considered to be a “good kid!” I heard it quite often when I was in middle school.

    2. I wish there had been food art when I was a kid. I would have enjoyed eating.
      Food and art; what a winning combo. Thank you for dropping by, Annette!

    2. Thank you, Eddie!
      It was a lot of young fun reading the books and recipes.
      Then more fun making the post. Robbie is a fab writer and a great mom.
      BIG HUGS!

  10. What a fantastic interview, Sorceress! I love that Robbie has turned her passions into a sweet career. That she has done so with her son is all the more beautiful Thank you for sharing.

    2. Thank you Thunder!
      It was lots of fun reading the books. Every time I finished a book, I had a question or 2 for Robbie. It wrote itself into this post.
      It’s a wonderful thing that she did this with her son.
      Happy all around. xoxo

  14. What an amazing post, you two! I was actually riveted to your discussion of themes for each book and how they’ve been enjoyed by families as well as in schools. Biscuits as “lego blocks” cracked me up too, Robbie. I like the way Resa thinks. And like Resa, I’m just stunned by your fondant flowers. Your description of making those lilies, show your immense dedication and artistic skill. Thanks, Resa, for sharing my review of The Christmas Bird, a really beautiful story for every child and family. As always, and excellent post and great fun. Congrats on the wonderful presentation of your (and Michael’s) books. Hugs to you both. ❤

    1. Hi Diana, thank you for your lovely comment and all your support of Michael and my books and artworks. We are most appreciative. Resa’s post is like a visit to Wonderland and we are delighted by it. Hugs.

    2. Thank you dear Diana!
      It was a joy reading each and every book.
      Diana, I was speed reading a book a day! 🐢

      You gotta see the Lego biscuit art!
      It negates the trope “Don’t play with your food!”
      I’m thrilled you read this. I’m thrilled to have made this post.
      I had FUN!!
      Hugs back to you!!! xoxo

        2. It’s new to my Gravatar, and is about 6 – 7 years old.
          However, I haven’t had my pic taken since the pandemic began. I’ve been growing out my grey hair, and it’s not finished… because it’s long. I refuse to cut off what is not grey.
          I like it long.
          When it’s all grown out, I will get new pics. xo

  17. Resa – another extraordinary interview. Your questions were insightful, which provided a opening for Robbie’s great responses. I LOVE these posts and follow-up discussion. Many thanks.

    1. Rebecca! Many thanks to you!
      You are an A++++ supporter of the arts, and our WP community.
      I should get some time to listen to your podcast that involves “haggis” 😵‍💫 today.
      Yeah… not even veggie haggis is tempting. However… 🤔

  18. Hi, Resa. I enjoyed your in-depth and wide-ranging interview with Robbie. Her fondant art is by far the best I’ve ever seen. The Sir Chocolate series she’s done with Michael is very special.

    1. Thank you, happy you enjoyed the post!

      I didn’t even know about fondant art until I started reading Robbie’s books.
      Agree, Liz, the series is quite special.

    3. Hi Liz, thank you, that is a lovely compliment. Resa has inspired me to greater heights with my figurines. Rebecca has inspired me to recreate great artworks from cake and fondant. I am so glad I am part of this community. This is an amazing post, we are thrilled.

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  20. What a stunning post, Resa! I’ve marveled over Robbie’s fondant art for years now. She a true artist. I’ve read a few of these lovely Sir Chocolate books. They are written in sweet verses that any child (or old lady 🥰) will love. Bravo to you and Robbie! 🥳

    1. Thank you BIG, Colleen. 🥰 It was a lot of fun reading these books and making the post. Robbie put up with lots of emails, and many questions. LOL. I’m thrilled with how the post came out! 🥳🥳

    2. HI Colleen, thank you so much. Michael and I are delighted you enjoy our stories and artwork. We have a lot of fun writing these books, developing the recipes and creating the illustrations.

  21. How wonderful to see two of my friends here! You ladies brought it 100% with this interview! Robbie, I continue to be in awe of your fondant creations, as well as your books with son Michael. I am always delighted by what I find here, Resa!

    1. Yay Christy!
      It was lots of fun working with Robbie and her children’s books with her son Michael. What a beautiful happening that collaboration is.
      I hope I keep delighting you! xx

  22. All rather interesting, madam! Can you imagine books made from chocolate?!

    I did interview you once (film festival in London). Would be fun to do a daft one, if you’d be interested? I’ll pay you approximately $0 for it. But you will get international fame.

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  24. A wonderful interview with the multi-talented Robbie. These books are delightful and it was great to hear more about them. What a fun thing to do, write a book with your young son. I have given a couple of these books to a granddaughter who loves to bake and read. She loves them!

    1. How wonderful that granddaughter has a few of these books. Also, it’s great that she likes to bake. Eating home cooked food is a way to good health. Many people can’t even burn water. LOL!

  25. I always enjoy learning more about you and your creations Robbie. I remember my children making biscuit houses in elementary school with one of their teachers and how much they enjoyed it. And I love that Michael still enjoys contributing to your creations. (K)

    1. Hi Kerfe, children love creating and baking so putting them together makes absolute sense. I am fortunate that Michael still likes being part of this book series. His ideas are evolving and becoming more complex too. He and I are taking a course in drawing with charcoal in 2 weeks time. I am looking forward to it.

  28. What a wonderful interview! I have followed Robbie’s blog for a while, and I’m always in awe of her creativity, with her books and her baking and fondant art, and you have shared a lot of information and insight about all of it. Congratulations to Robbie as well!

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