Chocolate Fever

“It’s all quite preposterous and lots of laughs, and so are the cartoon illustrations.”–Publishers Weekly.

Robert Kimmel Smith was born in Brooklyn, New York. At the age of 8, he read his first book and was so moved that he cried. This experience ignited a love for reading and a desire to become a writer. He went on to become an award-winning author whose books have sold millions of copies and have had a significant impact on countless children.

After leaving the advertising business, Smith began his writing career in 1970. His foray into writing children’s books was accidental, inspired by a bedtime story he created for his daughter, Heidi. This story evolved into his first book, Chocolate Fever, which sold nearly two million copies.

Smith draws inspiration for his books from personal life experiences and the experiences of people he knows. Jelly Belly was inspired by his own childhood as the heaviest child in his fifth-grade class. The War with Grandpa received 11 state awards, including five within a six-week period. Mostly Michael was written for fifth graders who requested a story about an “average” kid who dislikes school. Smith wrote The Squeaky Wheel to help children understand that life continues after their parents’ divorce and to encourage them to stand up for their rights. This humorous yet powerful book won the Parents’ Choice award for Story Books.

Smith’s writing process is not rigidly structured. He begins with a protagonist, an opening situation, and a general idea of the story’s direction. He prefers to discover the story as he writes, alongside his characters.

The core message Smith aims to convey to children is to “Get the most out of yourself, enjoy life, and be good to people along the way.” He also explores moral choices in his writing without being preachy. He describes Chocolate Fever as a way to convey the message that “you can’t have everything every time you want.” More fundamentally, Smith’s “secret agenda” is to create books so entertaining that they get children, especially boys, hooked on reading.

Robert Kimmel Smith resides in Brooklyn, New York, with his wife Claire in a large Victorian house. They have two grown children, Heidi and Roger. Robert and Claire enjoy cooking, are passionate baseball fans, and frequent the movies and theater. Smith also plays tennis, swims, gardens, and strives to maintain his weight.

Notable Works by Robert Kimmel Smith:

• Chocolate Fever
• Jelly Belly
• Mostly Michael
• The War with Grandpa
• The Squeaky Wheel

In addition to his award-winning children’s books, Smith has written short stories, plays, and the television script for Chocolate Fever for “CBS Story Break.”

This item is eligible for free returns within 30 days of delivery. See our returns policy for further details.