City Beet

Ages 6 to 7, Grades K to 3

When a notice for a community potluck is posted, Victoria and her neighbor Mrs. Kosta decide to bring a beet salad as their contribution. But first they need to grow this special vegetable for their dish. They plant the seeds in their garden plot, and throughout the summer they water, fertilize, weed, and mulch. And they watch their beet grow and grow and grow. On potluck day, it's time to harvest so they can make their salad. Victoria grabs the garlic and the grater and Mrs. Kosta steps up to remove the beautiful red veg from its underground home. But their care and attention has grown the biggest beet ever, and it stubbornly refuses to come loose. This beet won't budge! Will Victoria and Mrs. Kosta be able to make their special salad? Not to worry--help comes in all shapes and sizes. This clever, humorous take on an old folktale is a celebration of community and the ways we all come together. Back matter includes a beet salad recipe.

About the Author

Tziporah Cohen's debut novel, No Vacancy, won a Sydney Taylor Honor and was a finalist for the National Jewish Book Award. She has an MD from Harvard Medical School and lives in Toronto.

Udayana Lugo has worked as a designer of various things, from jewelry to auto parts to furniture. She now follows her true passion, children's books. She lives in British Columbia.