by Yevgenia Nayberg (Author)
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.
Author Biography
Yevgenia Nayberg is an illustrator, painter, and theater designer whose books include Anya's Secret Society (Charlesbridge) and Mona Lisa in New York (Prestel Junior). Her illustrations for Drop by Drop (Kar-Ben) received a Sydney Taylor Silver Medal. Originally from Ukraine, she now lives in New York, where she makes delicious borsch. Follow her on Instagram @znayberg or visit her website at nayberg.org.