One of my favorite things to do is watch food shows, especially those that travel the world in search of good eats. Have you ever noticed that every country has its own special bread? And a signature dessert? Or a hand-held goodie, wrapped up and portable? Yes? Well, this is the concept behind Susan Hughes’ delightful SAME HERE! THE DIFFERENCES WE SHARE, illustrated by Sophie Casson.
We may be different, but we share the same values. We all need to feel loved, we all need to learn, and we all need to dream. Susan uses these categories to travel the world in search of the specific things that are special to one culture, but are really things we have in common.
Susan, this is a gorgeous book. Where did you get the idea for SAME HERE!?
I first began this project 15 or more years ago (yes, soooo long ago!), so my memory of how it all began is actually a bit vague!
But I do remember researching online for another children’s book project I was working on—and coming across a fascinating brief mention of a specific type of fried dough treat loved by kids in a specific country. (I can’t remember which one!) I hadn’t heard of the food before but it definitely made me think of a doughnut.
On a whim, I began hunting around to find other mentions of “doughnut-like” treats eaten by kids in other countries. There were many! I loved the idea that kids in disparate countries all around the world all shared a love for a similar treat.
I filed the idea away and over time kept coming back to the powerful notion that, although kids around the world are significantly different in various ways, experiencing different geographies, educational opportunities and teachings, economic situations, and so on, there are fundamental things they share, including the need for love, safety, food, and so on. They might share the same basic needs which might be expressed in different ways and yet still share an enjoyment of these fried batter treats!
I decided to try to somehow find a way to write a book to share this idea with young kids!
Did you initially have the idea to separate the book into sections? Or did that come about as you collected various items?
I always knew the book would be split into sections simply because I knew I had a big topic to cover and it would be easier for young readers if it were in “bite-size” chapters.
But initially, I wasn’t sure what would be in each section! It wasn’t until after the book was contracted that, with the editor’s help, we arrived at the idea to divide the book into sections representing the different “needs.”
Do you have a favorite section?
Ah, that’s a tough question! Must I choose?
If so, I’d say my favorite section is the last one: We all need to dream. The other sections describe more straightforward needs: the need to communicate, the need to feel loved and protected, the need to learn, to help our families, to play, and so on. But this one—the need to dream—seems such a beautiful concept and so perfect with which to end this book.
Thank you for sharing SAME HERE! with us, Susan.
Blog readers, Susan is also sharing a picture book critique or Zoom session with a blog reader. Just leave one comment below about your favorite food specific to your heritage. (And I may ask you for the recipe!)
A random winner will be selected next month. Good luck!
SAME HERE! THE DIFFERENCES WE SHARE is available now from Owlkids.
Susan Hughes is an award-winning writer of many books for children, both fiction and non-fiction, including HOORAY FOR TRUCKS!, WALKING FOR WATER: How One Boy Stood Up for Gender Equality, and Off to Class. Also a freelance writer, editor, and story coach, Susan lives in Toronto, Canada. Find out more about her at www.susanhughes.ca.
36 comments
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October 31, 2022 at 12:15 pm
jennifercowanwriter
What a great book! I’ve thought about foods being so similar amount different cultures / countries. Ravioli/pot stickers/ papusas etc. I can’t wait to read this book.
A favorite memory of mine is eating Puchero (spanish stew) at my great-grandmothers house. If only I had the recipe!
Thanks for doing this interview!
October 31, 2022 at 12:27 pm
claireannette1
What a great idea for a book! I’m looking forward to reading it and have requested that our library add it to the collection.
Berry Clafoutis is an easy-to-make dessert honoring my French heritage
October 31, 2022 at 12:43 pm
Susan Johnston Taylor
Congrats, Susan! I’d love to win a critique.
October 31, 2022 at 12:50 pm
Bethanny Parker
Congrats on your new book!
October 31, 2022 at 1:26 pm
seahorsecoffeeelektra79018
I am from a Czech/Irish background. My husband was 100% Polish. I used recipes from all three countries. My two sons enjoy cooking, my two daughters, not so much. My favorite dish is cheesy potatoes. Simple but good. To my knowledge it’s not an ethnic dish but my family loves it.
October 31, 2022 at 1:34 pm
Jaime Petrucci
I love this idea! I’m a big foodie. My favorite is pane panella, a popular street food in Sicily and it’s so simple but delicious! It’s basically a flat fritter made of chickpea flour and fried then eaten on bread.
October 31, 2022 at 1:34 pm
Natasha Garnett
My favorite family treat comes from my mother-in-law, and has now reached 4 generations of sweet teeth. She calls them peanut butter tarts and they seem as American as apple pie. A layer of peanut butter, sugar, and graham crumbs and a layer of chocolate, cut into bars. Mmmmmm.
PS Congratulations Susan and Sophie!
October 31, 2022 at 1:39 pm
Marci Whitehurst
What a fantastic concept. Congrats!
October 31, 2022 at 1:46 pm
Kim A Larson
What an important and relevant topic. I look forward to reading your book. Congratulations, Susan!
October 31, 2022 at 3:49 pm
Sandra Vaisnoras
This looks great for classrooms.
I am Lithuanian and our potato dish, Kugelis, is made at all the holidays.
October 31, 2022 at 3:54 pm
Karan Greene
Love this book concept! I’ve actually written a story about my favorite Dutch pastry, banket. Congratulations on your book!
October 31, 2022 at 3:56 pm
Chelle Martin
This is such a great idea for a book. I love watching shows about food in various countries, especially where my family originated. I always say people are the same inside, but we can still share our cultural heritage. Best of luck with your book.
October 31, 2022 at 4:18 pm
Jilanne Hoffmann
It’s so interesting to see how long books can take to gestate. Congrats on getting it done!
October 31, 2022 at 4:22 pm
rosecappelli
Congratulations, Susan! It was wonderful meeting you in the Inked Voices popup, and I wish you lots of luck with this book.
October 31, 2022 at 4:24 pm
Kassy Keppol
My EL students will love this.
October 31, 2022 at 4:43 pm
Nancy Furstinger
Wow this book sounds so intriguing! I’m Irish/Hungarian, but my grandparents never cooked and those cuisines are meat-heavy so I prefer many Middle Eastern and Italian dishes.
October 31, 2022 at 4:45 pm
Writer on the run
Congratulations on your book! I’ve been delving into more nonfiction so I found this fascinating!
October 31, 2022 at 7:37 pm
Sylvia Mary Grech
Congrats on your book! I’m first generation Maltese American and my favorite dish that my Mom made so well is Butternut Squash and Rice Pie.
October 31, 2022 at 8:29 pm
marinalathouraki
Kourabiethes. Crescent-shaped Greek shortbread with nuts and icing sugar. Yum!
October 31, 2022 at 11:40 pm
seschipper
Congratulations, Susan and Sophie.
My dad’s family is from Germany and my mom’s from Lithuania. At Christmas we had Springerles cookies(German). A Lithuanian treat was blynai (potato pancakes)! 🙂
November 1, 2022 at 6:48 am
Reed Hilton-Eddy
Favourite food from my heritage? As a Canadian that is a bit hard to say what is “mine” and what came from others. I believe read somewhere that butter tarts started in Canada… The best recipe. I am still on the hunt – I try all.
November 1, 2022 at 7:37 am
Lou Aamodt
My family boils potato dumplings for special gatherings. I make a vegetarian option. They look like drippy, gray sock balls slathered in butter. So much tastier than they look!
November 1, 2022 at 10:26 am
Angie
Wow, very cool! I love food books. And learning what people in other locations make and love to eat is fascinating! Congratulations, Susan!
November 1, 2022 at 11:19 am
Darcee A Freier
Baking is probably the food heritage that I learned at my mother’s side. Cookies, sweet breads, …. I make a mean Pina-Colada Zucchini bread (more like a cake). Great for this time of year.
Thanks for encouraging us to remember what makes us all the same, Susan. We need the encouragement!
November 1, 2022 at 1:29 pm
srkckass
Looks like a great concept! Congratulations! I’m such a mutt that I really didn’t grow up with foods associated with a heritage but I’m from Chicago and so if it counts, deep dish pizza would be my favorite!
November 1, 2022 at 6:44 pm
Stephen S. Martin
Will always remember having Fried Bread dough with syrup, Sunday mornings after church.
November 1, 2022 at 8:33 pm
tinamcho
Congrats! I’m glad you included Korea!
November 2, 2022 at 12:24 am
sharonkdal
I love ‘We all need to dream’ so much. Perfect ending! As for my favorite food hhhmmm that’s difficult. It is coming up to Christmas soon. So I’ll go with pavlovawith summer berries and mango yum! (Im in Australia so christmas is summertime!)
November 2, 2022 at 4:38 pm
Antoinette Truglio Martin
Love this subject!
November 2, 2022 at 5:48 pm
Maria Bursey
I love toutons which are a fried bread treat from Newfoundland. Can’t wait to read this @Susan! What a fantastic idea for a book.
November 2, 2022 at 8:48 pm
Elizabeth McBride
Susan, your whole premise for the book is wonderful! Thank you so much for writing it and pursuing it into publication. As for foods from my family history – simply Montmorency Cherry Pie, since we lived at the edge of a cherry orchard 🙂
November 2, 2022 at 9:28 pm
Kathy Doherty
Susan, your book offers so much that will stay with readers. Congratulations!
November 3, 2022 at 9:18 am
Jen MacGregor
My Irish/Norwegian heritage really didn’t enter into my childhood or food experiences. However, my best friend growing up was Italian and I loved going to her house for dinner for pasta dinners that I still think about to this day, and her dad’s sausage that he made himself into a big swirl with a manual machine in the basement. So yummy. Looking forward to reading this book!
November 3, 2022 at 10:49 am
Hannah Roy LaGrone
What a wonderful book concept! I think my mom is a 7th generation Kentuckian. I guess I would have to say biscuits is a signature food of her family that I remember making with my Grandma especially!
November 4, 2022 at 11:09 pm
Elayne
Ah, how exciting to go to the site and realize a critique buddy was on here today! Susan! Your book looks fabulous! Congrats, congrats, congrats!
November 11, 2022 at 1:57 pm
H. Abigail Perry
I can’t wait to read this book!