Melissa Stoller Explains the Story Behind
Stella’s Special Recipe-A Rosh Hashana Story

“Stella’s Special Recipe” by Melissa Stoller is a very special book indeed. This charming picture book shows how making food with family can make memories to cherish for a lifetime. In her guest post, author Melissa Stoller explains the story behind her Rosh Hashana story.

Cooking Up
“Stella’s Special Recipe-A Rosh Hashana Story”

Guest Post by Melissa Stoller

Thank you so much, Julie, for inviting me to be a guest poster! I am grateful for the opportunity to connect with your readers about STELLA’S SPECIAL RECIPE: A ROSH HASHANAH STORY, illustrated by Valerya Milovanova, which just released on August 4 from Kar-Ben Publishing.

The story is about Stella, who is finally old enough to cook her family’s treasured stuffed cabbage recipe for Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year. The recipe has been handed down through the generations, from her great-grandmother Bubbe Sophie, to her Nana, to her mother, and now to her, with each cook adding a special ingredient and a little bit of love. It’s now up to Stella to figure out the perfect ingredient and special touch she can add as she finds her place among the chefs in her family.

I was inspired to write this story because I spent many happy occasions cooking stuffed cabbage and other holiday recipes with my mother and nana, and now with my three children. I have special recipes that have been handed down to me over the years that I enjoy cooking and that bring back memories of past generations. In fact, my mother and my youngest daughter spent a day cooking with me to test this stuffed cabbage recipe before I submitted the manuscript to Kar-Ben. We had such a wonderful day cooking, sharing stories, and creating memories. My mother passed away two years ago, but I am so happy she knew that Kar-Ben had acquired the manuscript and that the story inspired by our family recipe would become a book! The brilliant illustrations by Valerya perfectly capture Stella as she collects ingredients in her garden, shares memories of her family while cooking, and searches for the perfect addition.

Here are a few prompts for anyone contemplating writing a story centered on themes including family history, rituals, recipes, and intergenerational love.

1. Jot down three to five dishes that you associate with your family’s culture or with holidays you enjoyed celebrating together. Choose one, and write a first line or a title relating to that special dish.
2. Choose a holiday that your family treasures. Think about memories you had as a child celebrating that holiday, and about recent special holiday moments. Build a story plot around those memories.
3. Research your relatives through discussions, interviews, or even trying to find letters or diaries. Write a story that mines your own family history.

I hope that, just like Stella, you will always share your special recipes and your own stories!

Thank you again, Julie, for including STELLA’S SPECIAL RECIPE: A ROSH HASHANAH STORY on your blog. All best wishes for a sweet and happy New Year!

About Author

About Melissa Stoller

Melissa Stoller writes to bring heartfelt connection and joy to her readers. Melissa’s newest picture book, Stella’s Special Recipe: A Rosh Hashanah Story, illustrated by Valerya Milovanova, released from Kar-Ben Publishing on August 4, 2026. Her recent picture books include: Hazel and Mabel: Two Hearts Apart, illustrated by Anita Bagdi (Gnome Road Publishing, 2025) and Mojo’s Return: A Story of Resilience and Hope, illustrated by Uzi Binyamin (co-authored with Lishay Miran Lavi and Mary Millman) (Niv Publishing, 2025). Melissa is also the author of the chapter book The Enchanted Snow Globe Collection - Return to Coney Island, and the picture books Scarlet’s Magic Paintbrush; Ready, Set, GOrilla!; Sadie’s Shabbat Stories; Planting Friendship: Peace, Salaam, Shalom; and Building Bridges: Peace, Salaam, Shalom (co-written). Melissa is a Blogger for the Children’s Book Academy, a Rate Your Story Judge, a member of SCBWI, a Westhampton Beach Performing Arts Center Trustee, and a former school and synagogue trustee. In other chapters of her life, Melissa has worked as a lawyer, legal writing instructor, freelance writer/editor, and early childhood educator. She lives in New York City with her family, and enjoys theatre, museums, and holiday celebrations.

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About Stella’s Special Recipe: A Rosh Hashanah Story

A holiday story about family traditions that’s sweet in more ways than one.

It’s Rosh Hashanah and Stella is finally old enough to make her family’s famous stuffed cabbage rolls. The recipe has been passed down from her Bubbe Sophie to her Nana to her Mama, with each adding their own special touch to the recipe. Now it’s Stella’s turn. What will she add? Pumpkins, peas, potatoes? What is to be her special touch?

Storybook Lady Review
Stella’s Special Recipe-A Rosh Hashana Story
by Melissa Stoller

Sweet Intergenerational Story

No food is more special than a family recipe that has been handed down through the generations. When Stella is finally old enough to help make her great grandmother’s cabbage rolls for Rosh Hashana dinner, she notices that there are several additions written down. Mother explains that although the recipe was handed down from one generation to the next, each person has added their own special twist to the recipe. When Stella starts to mix the ingredients, the basic recipe “Cabbage plus meat, rice and eggs” appears in large font. As she reads the next ingredient and hears Mom’s story, the phrase is repeated along with that ingredient. My little listener loved the ever-growing repeating phrase and the onomatope sound effects. The cute pastel pictures recalled a vintage illustration style that added a homey feeling. This sweet story stresses the importance of intergenerational connection and encourages creativity with the added ingredients. Although this is a Rosh Hashana story, it is without any reference to religious activities. Cooking with a parent or grandparent is a great way to bond. It is a universal activity and this story can be enjoyed by kids of any background. My grandchild loves books with recipes and can’t wait to try this one.

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I have a Goodreads shelf just for Rosh Hashanah books.

Read my reviews of Jewish Children’s Books at Goodreads on Bubbe’s Bookshelf.
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