Say hello to Junie, Ned, Merinda and Chan Ming. They are the Chokliteers and they’re on a mission! All children face challenges as they learn and begin to find their place in the world- it’s part of growing up.
The Chokliteers are here to help children through some of those tougher moments and share ideas about how they themselves have overcome similar challenges. Set in the Choklits grounds, this interactive book series serves as fantastic resources for assisting parents and carers in building confidence in their children, particularly in the early learning and educational environment.
“Meet the Chokliteers” is the Chokliteers’ very first adventure! From apprehension to excitement, this story follows Junie, Ned, Merinda and Chan Ming as they get ready for their respective days and head to Choklits.
When you are young, simple tasks that we as adults view as easy can in fact be really challenging. Getting dressed is a good example. Meeting new people and finding friends even more so. “Meet the Chokliteers” is a fun and interactive way parents and careers can help their children get ready for the early learning environment and become familiar with the Choklits grounds.
Our front door at Choklits in Ringwood is green, our manager Sue will greet you at the front door when you arrive and our chef Helen will be cooking our meals, and it’s all illustrated in the book! Why? Because familiarity builds confidence. So, we gift everyone who comes to visit us their very own copy to take home and share with their children.
Let us know when you’re reading our books on Instagram, we love seeing pictures from our community @choklitsearlylearning
In book two, the Chokliteers’ gardening adventures begin!
We love growing some of our own food in our veggie patches at Choklits. Preparing, planting and caring for fruits and veggies naturally teaches us many of life’s great lessons.
For example, many young children don’t understand the meaning of responsibility, but most quickly comprehend all that it takes to grow seeds into eatable food, especially when the process is fun. And trust us, watering with your friends is a lot of fun! But, there are also challenges, like weeds and worms, which is exactly where the Chokliteers begin their adventures in this book.
We’ve found that when you use fun and engaging activities to teach, you are far more likely to get children’s attention and they are far more likely to want to be involved.
Our books help take that engagement one step further. With the help of beautiful illustrations and engaging stories, those lessons are now fun to share at home too.
Did you know our Choklits children do some of the meal preparation and cooking too? It’s true! Under the watchful eye of our educators, of course. They even help cut the veggies ready for the kitchen.
Head to our Facebook page and see for yourself, there’s lots more about our Plant-to-Plate program posted there @choklitsearlylearning
The Chokliteers’ leave the Choklits grounds in book 3 of our series and are off to visit our friends at
Chesterfield Farm!
In true Chokliteers style (and, as you have probably already guessed), this is not just an excursion for fun. The Chokliteers have another important message for us all as they turn their attention to sustainability and more that’s good for our planet.
Ned finds trouble again and an unfortunate spill nearly ruins the day, but, working as a team, it’s nothing they can’t handle in the interest of doing good.
The idea for this book came after our kindergarten class visited Chesterfield Farm. Sustainability forms a large part of our educational program at Choklits so we couldn’t miss the opportunity to build on our practices after we visited the farm. Children at Choklits continue to collect our food scraps and we deliver them to the pigs at the farm each week. When it gets hot we freeze our scraps so our farm friends don’t miss out on their treats.
Head to our Facebook page and see for yourself, there’s lots more about our programs posted there @choklitsearlylearning
Blast off with the Chokliteers in their 4th book as they zoom into space! They’re not just flying for fun—they’ve got a mission to learn about planets and stars.
Merinda, Junie, Chan Ming and Ned are all dressed up in their cool spacesuits and ready for a big adventure. They’ve got snacks and excitement packed for their trip to Mars and the moon!
But, oops! Ned finds himself floating in space with a green alien named Goopy. Good thing Junie is quick and gets them back on the spaceship safe and sound.
As they zip by Mars, they see it’s red and learn it’s all because of rusty dust. Jupiter makes them giggle, looking like a giant meatball in the sky, but they can’t visit because it’s full of gas.
After waving goodbye to their new friend Goopy, the Chokliteers head back home. They’ve learned lots about space and even more about being good friends.
At Choklits, the Chokliteers remember their big lessons: working as a team, being kind, and learning new things is what every day is all about. And even after such an exciting day, they’re ready for a good night’s sleep, dreaming of their next big adventure!
Head to our Facebook page and see for yourself, there’s lots more about our programs posted there @choklitsearlylearning
Join the Chokliteers—Junie, Ned, Merinda, and Chan Ming—as they embark on a heartwarming adventure at Choklits. This time, they make a great discovery that can create connections, spread joy, and make the world a better place.
Perfect for young children, this story is packed with fun, learning, and an important message about the magic of… you need to get the book! It’s sure to spark many meaningful conversations!
Head to our Facebook page and see for yourself, there’s lots more about our programs posted there @choklitsearlylearning
The Chokliteers set off on their sixth adventure to take their biggest step yet as they make their way through their kindergarten year and get ready for school.
This book celebrates how a thoughtful kindergarten program supports children to feel capable, confident and ready for their next chapter. It reflects what we see every year at Choklits as children grow, learn and step forward feeling prepared for a successful start to school.
Head to our Facebook page and see for yourself, there’s lots more about our programs posted there @choklitsearlylearning
The foundation of everything we do at Choklits is built on our five pillars; Growth, Communication, Collaboration, Consistency and Reflection. Our books are too.
At the conclusion of each instalment in this series, you’ll find the relationship between the story and our pillars explained. As you’ll read, Junie, Ned, Merinda and Chan Ming are quite the adventurers, but it’s not without thought.
They’re always sharing something insightful to ensure our little readers are learning something important.
The Chokliteers were created, written and brought to life by the Choklits community.
The series began with our much-loved Dee Wasserfall, whose love of books, children and storytelling helped shape Junie, Ned, Merinda and Chan Ming into the characters our children know today. Dee had a very special way of seeing what mattered to children. She helped make the first Chokliteers stories feel warm, familiar and true to Choklits.
It has been my privilege to continue the series and write the last three Chokliteers books. It is something I care deeply about, because these books are much more than stories to us. They are a way to share who we are, what we value, and what we want every child at Choklits to feel: safe, known, capable and ready for their next adventure.
Each book links back to life at Choklits. The children see familiar places, familiar faces and familiar ideas. They might recognise the playground, familiar faces, our gardens, our excursions, or even the small moments that happen here every day. That is the magic of the Chokliteers. The stories help children feel connected before, during and after their time with us.
The books also help us share the Choklits Pillars: Growth, Communication, Collaboration, Consistency and Reflection. Junie, Ned, Merinda and Chan Ming have plenty of fun, but there is always a message behind each adventure. They learn, they make mistakes, they help each other, and they keep trying. Just like children do.
I am also grateful to the people who have helped bring the books to life, including the talented David Brewer, who illustrated the Chokliteers and their many adventures with so much heart.
Inspired by the cartoons and characters I loved as a child, I feel very lucky to be able to keep sharing stories that bring joy, build confidence and help children see themselves in the world of Choklits.
— Matt Reynolds
Everything you need to know about the Chokliteers.
The Chokliteers are Junie, Ned, Merinda, and Chan Ming, our Choklits characters who live in the greatest place on earth, Choklits! Yes, they really told us that.
They help children learn about new days, new people, big feelings, friendship, and trying hard things. Their stories are set both in and around Choklits, so children can see places, people, and moments that feel real and familiar. But, on occasion, they venture far away, like into space. We are big on cultivating imaginations here at Choklits!
Starting childcare or kinder can feel big for a young child. The Chokliteers help make it feel safer and more known.
The stories show simple parts of the day, like getting ready, meeting friends, walking through the Choklits door, and seeing friendly faces. When children know what to expect, they often feel more calm and brave.
Stories help children talk about feelings in a gentle way. A book can make a hard topic feel safe, fun, and easy to share.
When you read a Chokliteers book at home, your child can ask questions, point to pictures, and talk about what might happen at Choklits. This helps build trust before the day even begins.
The Chokliteers Gardening Adventures is about planting, growing, caring, and learning together.
At Choklits, children spend time in our veggie patches and learn through hands-on play. Gardening helps children learn care, patience, teamwork, and responsibility. The book brings those lessons home, so families can keep the talk going after care.
You can request a copy through this page or ask us when you visit Choklits.
We love giving families tools that help children feel ready, happy, and connected. Read the book together, talk about the pictures, and let your child meet the Chokliteers before their next big day.
Experience the Choklits difference. book a tour today and see how we nurture your child’s potential through community, exploration, and trust.
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