DESCRIPTION
All Ukrainians are supposed to love borsch—but what if you hate the red stuff? A young girl despises Eastern Europe’s most beloved soup, and not even the grandmothers of Kiev can persuade her to change her mind. But when she immigrates to the United States, American food leaves her feeling empty. One day she discovers borsch recipes in an old suitcase. Maybe that disgusting beet soup deserves another chance…
Imaginatively illustrated with splashes of borsch-bright red, this book captures the complicated experience of rejecting and embracing one’s culture. A recipe and author’s note provide further ways to interact with the story. Witty and poignant, I Hate Borsch will encourage readers to ponder how history, heritage, and food can shape our identities.
AWARDS and RECOGNITIONS
The Children's Book Council Children’s Favorites Award List (2023)
National Council for the Social Studies Notable Social Studies Trade Books for Young People List - Third to Fifth Grade (2023)
Kirkus Reviews Best Picture Books of the Year List (2022)
Kirkus Reviews Best Picture Books To Inspire Budding Artists List (2022)
New York Public Library Best Books for Kids List (2022)
3x3 International Illustration Show No.19 Honorable Mention (2022)
REVIEWS
Foreword Reviews
“This is a delightful exploration of the dimensions of traditions, narrated by a charming, reluctant girl who is surprised to find herself missing borsch.”
The Horn Book Magazine
“Acrylic, pencil, and digital collage illustrations—featuring oversize vegetables and sunflowers, unusual angles and perspectives, and layers of texture—capture the story’s lighthearted quirkiness, its universality regarding picky eaters, and its cultural specificity, especially welcome today.”