Editorial Review

“Talia’s grandmother is busy in the kitchen making a stew to welcome the Jewish New Year. She sends the little girl to the garden for seven root vegetables. Talia hears the word ‘rude’ rather than root and has fun wondering what kind of misdeeds were done by the onions, garlic, carrots, turnips, potatoes, parsnips, and rutabagas. This train of thought leads her to take a hard look at her own behavior and the need for apologies to those she has offended.

Talia puts the best vegetables in a basket that she delivers to the rabbi to give to those in need of food. Her grandmother gets a kick out of her digging up the ‘rude’ vegetables but is impressed with her mitzvah of giving the extra bag of vegetables to the rabbi.

Linda Elovitz Marshall, the writer, and Francesa Assirelli, the illustrator have done a fine job integrating the Jewish New Year with Talia’s garden adventures. They have also included a recipe for ‘Rude’ Vegetable Stew as a special treat.” —Spirituality & Practice