I Hate Borsch!

Everyone expects Ukrainians to love borsch, but the girl in this picture book cannot stand the red soup. Even the grandmothers of Kiev fail to talk her into liking it. After she moves to the United States, American food leaves her feeling empty. Then she finds borsch recipes in an old suitcase, and she wonders whether the beet soup deserves a second chance.

The illustrations use splashes of borsch-bright red. The story shows the mixed feelings that come with turning away from one's culture and later embracing it, and it invites readers to think about how history, heritage, and food shape who we are.

The book is witty and moving, and it ends with a recipe and an author's note that give readers more ways to engage with the story.