Read with us.
Read with us.
It’s time for Eva to begin her first year of school, but she’d much rather help Papa in the music store. She doesn’t understand the fuss at school about standing in a line and sitting in a circle when it’s much better to spin in a circle and never sit at all.
But a piano in a music room reminds her of the sweet sounds of home, just as a slice of Papa’s honey cake reminds her of the sweet taste of learning.
For fans of Patricia Polacco’s and Tomie dePaola’s picture books, The Sweetest Taste is a warm and satisfying story of family, tradition, and love of learning.
Categories: picture book, Jewish gift book
THEMES: Learning; Jewish; tradition; family; art deco; 1920s; music shop; honey; cake; new sibling; music; school; classroom: Rosh Hashanah
Publishing date: July 7th 25th 2026
ISBN: 9781958325483 (Hardcover)
ISBN: 9781958325506 (E-book)
Hardback: $18.99 US
Length: 32 pages
Size: 10.5 x 9 inches
Ages: 3-8
Grade: K-Gr2
AUTHOR: Sara Holly Ackerman
ILLUSTRATOR: Juliana Oakley
Available at your favorite bookstores or online retailers. For WHOLESALE please order through your Hachette account. Also available at any other library or other distributors, like Brodart, Follett or Ingram, etc.
OPINION about The Sweetest Taste
“Soon after the arrival of her twin siblings, Eva begins helping out in her father’s music store—a task she adores, even when her ‘help’ can be a little unhelpful. She greets the customers, takes inventory, stocks shelves, the works! Her father explains to her that there are certain things she must learn in order to truly help in the store, and that learning can be a sweet experience.
But when Eva must go to school in the fall, she finds that it’s a different experience altogether. She wants to be playful and carefree, not sit still or listen to stories she already knows the endings to. Is there any way she can make this learning experience sweet too?
This is an adorably illustrated story filled with rich history and humor.”
—Victoria Rickmond (Librarian)
Sara Holly Ackerman is a school librarian and children’s book author in Brooklyn, New York. Her other books include The Gabi That Girma Wore, Not Just the Driver!, Challah for Shabbat Tonight, Woods & Words: The Story of Poet Mary Oliver, and Good Knight. Visit her at sarahollyackerman.com
Juliana Oakley is an illustrator in love with color. Ever since early childhood, she has been drawing and scribbling on everything she could get her hands on. She finds inspiration in her family, travels, nature, and childhood memories. Her art often begins as pencil sketches and is finished digitally. Originally from Latvia, Juliana now lives in Bahrain. Visit her at JulianaOakley.com
