The Sydney Taylor Shmooze

A Taste of Home by Richard Ho, illustrated by Sibu T.P. Roaring Brook Press, 2024 Category: Picture Books Reviewer: Claire Freeland Buy at Bookshop.org In this ode to the variety of cultures you can find in a vibrant city, a young boy’s mother asks him to “bring back a taste of home.” The city, though not named, is New York City (there is a street map). The boy, though never stated, is Jewish (he is wearing a kippah). The boy’s mother wants food from her unnamed homeland (Israel), referred to as a land of milk and honey. So, you ask, why the veiled references? Maybe it’s because the author, Richard Ho, wants the reader to place this child of an Israeli immigrant in the context of the many other children of immigrants who can find the foods of their parents’ countries of origin in this colorful city, rich with diversity. He introduces the notion that home, for the children of immigrants, are the sights, sounds, and tastes of their everyday lives, while home, for their parents and grandp...

Two New Years by Richard Ho, illustrated by Lynn Scurfield Chronicle Books, 2023 Category: Picture Books Reviewer: Ann D. Koffsky Buy at Bookshop.org In Two New Years , a family that is both Chinese and Jewish celebrates Rosh Hashanah in the Fall and the Lunar Year in the Spring. Both holidays are shown as parallel in their meanings and symbolism, and each spread displays Jewish customs alongside the Chinese ones. The rich backmatter gives a full and complete description of each of the practices from both traditions. I was particularly struck by how effectively Ho finds universal meaning and values across the two holidays. For example, the text shares how, “We prepare foods that symbolize togetherness and the heartfelt sharing of good wishes.” The illustrations accompanying the words show the traditional Jewish Rosh Hashanah foods on one side, like apples and honey, and a Chinese traditional sectioned platter, with nuts and fruits on the other. Beautiful! The illustrations are exuberan...