Sink Your Teeth into a Sweet Read: Books about Candy

There are many wonderful things about living in this country, but one of the most wonderful might be that June is National Candy Month! Now that is something worth celebrating. Sweets have long been beloved by young and old alike, and there seems to be a treat out there for just about everyone. It’s not surprising that there are also countless books about candy ready to be devoured, especially for young readers. This list provides a delectable selection of candy-licious stories, from characters who will stop at nothing to get their hands on something sweet to the history of our love for sugary treats. For even more books about candy, try searching the keywords “candy,” “sweet,” or “chocolate” with the phrase “juvenile literature” for nonfiction books and “juvenile fiction” for fictional works. Related searches such as “baking,” “cooking,” “cookies,” “cake,” “ice cream,” or “dessert” will discover even more sweet reads!
Picture Books
Alvarez, Cynthia.
The Candy Land Mystery. 1994.
When the wicked Lord Licorice casts a spell that makes King Kandy’s castle disappear, the Candy Land Kids must use their noses to find the cinnamon scent that will lead them to the king.
[SSHEL S Collection SE.AL86C]

Fisher, Valorie.
When Ruby Tried to Grow Candy. 2008.
After meeting her mysterious neighbor, a young girl plants a candy garden, with delicious results.
[SSHEL S Collection and the Center for Children’s Books]

Houston, Gloria.
But No Candy. 1992.
While her Uncle Ted is off fighting in World War II, Lee watches the candy gradually disappear from the shelves of her family’s store and realizes that her entire world has changed.
[SSHEL S Collection Q. SE. H8182B]

Lowery, Linda and Richard Keep.
The Chocolate Tree: A Mayan Folktale. 2009.
Retells the legend of Mayan king Kukulkan, who goes against his brother’s wishes and gives his people an amazing chocolate tree.
[SSHEL S Collection S.398.2 L953c]

Meadows, Daisy.
Layla the Cotton Candy Fairy. 2014.
The Sugar & Spice Fairies’ magic protects sweet treats in both Fairyland and the human world. When mean Jack Frost steals the fairies’ delicious magical items, dessert everywhere takes a sour turn. When Layla the Cotton Candy Fairy’s charm goes missing, the girls are in a sticky situation. Will Rachel and Kirsty find Layla’s magic in time? (Part of the Sugar & Spice Fairies Series.)
[SSHEL S Collection S. M4618la]

Perelman, Helen.
Rainbow Swirl. 2012.
Raini the Gummy Fairy is disappointed that her friends do not care as much as she does about winning first prize at the upcoming Candy Fair, but when a big storm disrupts Raini’s plans, her friends are loyal and true. (Part of the Candy Fairies Series.)
[SSHEL S Collection S. P4147r]

Rey, Margaret and H. A.
Curious George Goes to a Chocolate Factory. 1998.
George’s curiosity causes a problem at the chocolate factory, but his quick thinking and speedy action on the assembly line help save the candies.
[SSHEL S Collection SE. R328cc]

Stainton, Sue.
The Chocolate Cat. 2007.
A clever cat helps his owner, a chocolate maker, to discover the magic in his work and together they transform a colorless town into a place of beauty and happiness. Includes facts about the history and production of chocolate.
[SSHEL S Collection Q. SE. St15ch]
Intermediate and Young Adult
Bosch, Pseudonymous.
This Book Is Not Good for You. 2009.
In this tooth-rotting adventure, Cass’s mom has been kidnapped by the evil dessert chef and chocolatier, Senor Hugo! The ransom…the legendary tuning fork. Can Cass and Max-Ernest find the magical instrument before it’s too late? Will they discover the evil secret ingredient to Senor Hugo’s chocolate success? (Third book in the Secret Series. Follow it up with more chocolate-related shenanigans in This Isn’t What It Looks Like, the fourth book in the series!)
[SSHEL S Collection S. B6507t]

Dahl, Roald.
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. 1964.
Each of five children lucky enough to discover an entry ticket into Mr. Willy Wonka’s mysterious chocolate factory takes advantage of the situation in his own way.
[SSHEL S Collection and the Center for Children’s Books S. D137C]

Davies, Jacqueline.
The Candy Smash. 2013.
Jessie and Evan Treski are at opposite ends over the right to keep secrets. Evan believes some things (such as his poetry) are private. Jessie believes scandal makes good news. When anonymously sent candy hearts appear in Class 4-0, self-appointed ace reporter Jessie determines to get the scoop on class crushes. (Fourth book in the Lemonade War Series.)
[SSHEL S Collection S. D2873c]

McDonald, Megan.
Stink and the Incredible Super-Galactic Jawbreaker. 2006.
Seven-year-old Stink Moody discovers that he can get free samples by writing letters to candy companies and plans a surprise for his best friend’s birthday.
[SSHEL S Collection S. M145sti]

Selfors, Suzanne.
The Sweetest Spell. 2012.
Scorned in her Flatlands village because of a deformed foot, Emmeline Thistle’s life changes when she is taken in by Wanderlands dairy farmers and discovers her magical ability to make chocolate, which is more precious and rare than gold or jewels in the kingdom of Anglund. Magic and romance entwine in this fantastical world where true love and chocolate conquer all.
[SSHEL S Collection and the Center for Children’s Books S. Se486sw]
Non-Fiction
Gillis, Jennifer Blizin
Milton Hershey: The Founder of Hershey’s Chocolate. 2005.
Milton Hershey didn’t invent chocolate candy, but he made it a popular treat. People around the world eat Hershey’s chocolates. Milton made a lot of money, but he always shared it with others. He built a town and an amusement park for his workers. He started a school for disadvantaged children, too.
[SSHEL S Collection SB. H572g]

Love, Ann and Jane Drake.
Sweet! The Delicious Story of Candy. 2007.
Through time and across continents, stories of sweets and their inventors intrigue and entertain us. Learn about primal sweets — from honey, sweet milk, and nuts to sugar candy, chocolate, and “sweet” stories of success.
[SSHEL S Collection S.641.853 L941s]

Markle, Sandra.
Chocolate: A Sweet History. 2005.
Complete with recipes, a guide provides an informative review of the history of chocolate by explaining where it originated, how it was originally used and by whom, how it is grown and processed, how it came to be made into tasty treats in modern times, and more.
[SSHEL S Collection S. 641.6374 M341c]

Morganelli, Adrianna.
The Biography of Chocolate. 2006.
Mouth watering pictures illustrate this delicious new book on one of the world’s favorite foods. All about chocolate: where it comes from, how it’s made, how it gets to the store.
[SSHEL S Collection Q. S.633.74 M823b]

Rice, Karen.
Does Candy Grow on Trees? 1984.
Describes some of the plants used in making candy.
[SSHEL S Collection S.641.853 R363D]

Stewart, Melissa.
No Monkeys, No Chocolate. 2013.
When you think of chocolate, you might think of a candy bar, a birthday cake, or a glass of chocolate milk. But where does chocolate come from? This book tells about the cocoa bean, which grows in tropical rain forests, and how the animals and other living things play an important part; even the monkeys.
[SSHEL S Collection and Center for Children’s Books Q. S.633.74 St497n]

Swain, Ruth Freeman.
How Sweet It Is (and Was): The History of Candy. 2003.
Candy has always played an important and mouthwatering part in holiday celebrations as well as day-to-day life. Here is a collection of little-known facts, including how many kinds of candy came to be.
[SSHEL S Collection and the Center for Children’s Books S.641.8 Sw14h]

Tunnell, Michael O.
Candy Bomber: The Story of the Berlin Airlift’s “Chocolate Pilot”. 2010.
After World War II the United States and Britain airlifted food and supplies into Russian-blockaded West Berlin. US Air Force Lieutenant Gail S. Halvorsen knew the children of the city were suffering. To lift their spirits, he began dropping chocolate and gum by parachute.
[SSHEL S Collection and the Center for Children’s Books SB. H197t]

Wolf, Laurie Goldrich and Pam Abrams.
Candy, 1 to 20. 2011.
Readers will devour this delicious counting book from lollipops to licorice strings, from 1 to 20!
[SSHEL S Collection S.513.5 W8312c]