From the Publisher
"A good choice for picture book shelves." — Rachel Kamin, North Suburban Synagogue Beth El, Highland Park, IL, School Library Journal
School Library Journal
09/01/2021
PreS-Gr 1—"'Rosh Hashanah starts tonight,' Mama says with great delight. 'Perhaps tonight you'd like to risk it with a taste of Bubbe's brisket?'" Yuck. Becca doesn't like to try new foods. She says "no" to anything that tastes like meat and "ick" to green things. She turns down all the traditional holiday dishes, including noodle kugel and honey cake. But when Dad announces that he's going to shave off his mustache and Mom decides to take up knitting, Becca is inspired to start the Jewish New Year by trying something new, too: one big green bean. Of course, she discovers that she likes it and promises to try gefilte fish next year. Repetitive, rhyming text, combined with speech bubbles, makes this a fun read-aloud. The cheerful, bright illustrations, with varied patterns that add texture, focus mostly on Becca, a white child, and her cat, with a couple of appearances by Mom and Dad. The holiday candles, shofar, special round challah, and traditional apples and honey appear in the illustrations but are never mentioned in the text. An author's note provides additional information about Rosh Hashanah; however, the focus is on Becca and the food, making the story most appropriate for readers already familiar with the holiday. Pair with Deborah Heiligman's Celebrate Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur: With Honey, Prayers, and the Shofar for more information about the meaning, rituals, and practices of the holiday. Or use with Russell Hoban's Bread and Jam for Frances, Lauren Child's I Will Never Not Ever Eat a Tomato, or Helen Cooper's Delicious! to provide even more encouragement to picky eaters. VERDICT A good choice for picture book shelves.—Rachel Kamin, North Suburban Synagogue Beth El, Highland Park, IL
Kirkus Reviews
2021-06-16
A holiday celebrating a new year should include some new foods, shouldn’t it?
Becca, 5 years old, has straight red hair, pink cheeks, and a determined way of saying “NO!” Her parents are getting ready for the Jewish new year and want Becca to try something new to eat. Papa will have a new look, now sans moustache. Mama will have a new hobby, knitting. Becca should try new foods, perhaps some greens or brisket or chicken soup. Her response is steadfastly negative until, “the biggest green bean ever seen” appears in solitary splendor on her plate. Becca is happy at last, though why this makes a difference when nothing else has goes unexplained. The text centers on Ashkenazic food traditions along with the custom of having or doing something new for the new year. There is no mention, until the brief author’s note, of any religious observances or significance. Families who celebrate the holiday will find little of substance to share. Others will likely come away with no relevant understanding. The cartoon illustrations are colorful and depict an array of traditional foods including apples, but no jar of honey is visible. There is also a marmalade cat who mimics Becca’s facial expressions. The text is in rhythmic quatrains with a second line of repeats that are sometimes awkward to read aloud. “Becca doesn’t eat things green, / never green, ever green. / Not a lettuce leaf or bean. / Especially if they’re new.”
Not a necessary addition to holiday shelves. (Picture book. 3-5)
