Esquivel’s “Like Water For Chocolate” to Get Television Adaptation

There’s no water shortage for Laura Esquivel

The 66-year-old Mexican author’s popular novel Like Water For Chocolate is getting a television adaptation.

Laura Esquivel

Endemol Shine Studios, the scripted division of Endemol Shine North America, has acquired the rights Esquivel’s best-selling novel Like Water for Chocolate (Como Agua Para Chocolate) to adapt as a global television franchise.

The classic story is being developed as an English language series with plans to adapt it in other languages, as well.

Like Water for Chocolate was first published in 1989 by Esquivel, a first-time Mexican novelist and quickly became a global sensation. The use of magical realism alongside a raucous family drama made the book an instant classic.

Like Water For Chocolate

To date, Like Water for Chocolate has sold 3.5 million copies in the U.S. through publishers Knopf Doubleday (English) and Vintage Espanol (Spanish). The novel spent a year and a half on the New York Times Bestseller list and has been published in 45 languages.

In 1992, a film based on Esquivel’s screenplay adaptation of the novel was successfully released in Spanish, earning critical acclaim and numerous honors. The film earned 11 Ariel Awards from the Mexican Academy of Motion Pictures, including the Ariel for Best Picture and at the time became the highest-grossing foreign-language film ever released in the United States. It also was the Mexican entry for Best Foreign Language Film at the 65th Academy Awards.

“It fills me with joy to know that Like Water for Chocolate will be brought to television screens throughout the world by a studio that bets on quality in producing content for each of its projects,” says Esquivel. “Of all the companies that offered to create the series, Endemol Shine Studios stood out in sharing a vision of Like Water for Chocolate closest to my own: leading from the heart.”

“The opportunity to adapt this beloved novel is a privilege, added Endemol Shine Studios President Sharon Hall. “Laura’s epic love story has all the ingredients of a breakthrough drama.”

Diaz to Pen a Health & Wellness Book for Young Girls

Cameron Diaz may find herself at the top the New York Times Best Seller list in the near future.

The 39-year-old half-Cuban American actress is reportedly writing her first book, according to E! News.

Cameron Diaz

The health-conscious What to Expect When You’re Expecting star is penning a tome about the importance of proper nutrition and staying healthy for impressionable young girls.

“She wants to stop their fixation on being thin, and for teenage girls to understand that being healthy is more important,” a publishing source told E! News. “She wants to use her celebrity to make a difference. She knows she is a role model to girls and she really wants to use that position to do good. This book is not about weight, it’s about making the right choices.”

While no formal publishing deal is in place at the moment, Diaz has been mulling over the idea for some time, and has signed on with a literary agent.

And Diaz has big plans for the book, including touring the country with it to inspire young girls. On the other hand, I think you should know about unify health reviews, this review will help you understand the importance of health.

“Cameron is going to be visiting high schools around the country to talk to teenagers about their food choices and what is important to them,” the source told E! News. “She wants them to know that being thin should not be their priority, it’s about getting the right vitamins and knowing what foods will give them energy and keep them strong. She wants to get their feedback, learn about how they decide what to eat now, and teach them to make more informed choices.”

So what inspired Diaz to put pen to paper?

“Everything changed for Cameron after her father died,” the source said. “She realized what is important and started to think more and more about her health.”

Her good intentions, coupled with her unprecedented access to the top nutritionists in the world, has resulted in Diaz’s desire to pass on the lessons she’s learned to young women.

“This book isn’t about her. And it’s not a diet of any kind. Of course, it’s her own journey that has helped her realize what’s important, but she wants the book to appeal to everyone, and not just be about her own food choices.”

In addition to her own story, the book will also feature advice and expertise not only from top nutritionists, but some of Cameron’s celebrity pals, including Drew Barrymore, Jennifer Lopez and Gwyneth Paltrow, who has become a source of inspiration for DIaz

“Cameron has become very close to Gwyneth and it’s been very interesting for her to see what Gwyneth is doing with Goop,” the source said. “She’s been inspired by Gwyneth and the way she uses her fame to influence and help people. Now Cameron wants to do the same.”

Though she hasn’t sign on any dotted lines, a book deal seems inevitable, and could be ready as early as next year. When it does finally hit shelves, Diaz will also launch an accompanying website to further educate young girls on health issues.

“Through this project, she wants schools to offer better meal options for kids,” the publishing source continued. “She wants to have an impact on a huge scale. In some way, she feels like this is her calling. This is her passion.”