"How can a vegetable be 'rude'?" Talia wonders, when she mis-hears her grandmother asking her to gather "root" vegetables for a Rosh Hashanah stew. As Talia digs in the garden, she collects the twisted, ornery carrots and parsnips-the "rude" vegetables that she thinks her grandmother wants-and finds a good home for the rest.

Francesca Assirellistudied painting at the Accademia delle Belle Arti in Naples. She has illustrated many Italian, French, and English children's books, including Talia and the Rude Vegetables and Talia and the Very YUM Kippur. She loves children and animals, especially squirrels!