Stella’s Special Recipe: A Rosh Hashanah Story by Melissa Stoller with illustrations by Valerya Milovanova; © 2026; Kar-Ben Publishing, an imprint of Lerner Publishing Group; ISBN 9798348-044688; 24 pages, Publication Date: August 4; $19.99.
By Donald H. Harrison in San Diego
Stella is a young elementary school pupil, who’s learning from her mother how to make stuffed cabbage rolls for Rosh Hashanah. Her mother helps her select the ingredients and painstakingly prepare the finished product.
A family tradition invites a representative of each generation to add her own touch to the recipe. Great grandma (Bubbe) added diced onions to the mixture; grandma (Nana) added raisins; Stella’s mother (Mama) added crushed garlic; and after much consideration, Stella chose to add a drizzle of honey.
There was also a ritual to show affection to the youngest person in the kitchen. Nana bestowed a hug; bubbe a cheek pinch; Mama added a hand squeeze; and Stella initiated sticky sweet kisses. As no one was younger than Stella, she gave Mama a kiss, which Mama promptly reciprocated.
This story teaches youngsters to choose fresh ingredients if available. It offers a step-by-step guide to food preparation; and it reinforces the idea of dor v dor – from generation to generation. It also models showing affection.
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Donald H. Harrison is publisher and editor of San Diego Jewish World.