A boy and his abuela cook together in the kitchen, with a cat watching nearby.
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Taia Morley, Illustration for The Secret Recipe, by Ilan Stavans (Kar-Ben Publishing). © 2025 Taia Morley.

Special Storytime: Ilan Stavans

Artists & Authors
For Families
-
Reading Library

Free with Museum admission

Free for Museum Members

Internationally-renown Ilan Stavans, author of The Mexican Dreidl and other magical children’s books, reads from The Secret Recipe (Kar-Ben, illustrated by Taia Morley), his new book about a boy whose Abuela teaches him how to bake bourekas con queso blanco, introducing every ingredient of the family recipe in Ladino, the language of Sephardic Jews from Spain and Portugal. The Secret Recipe includes the actual recipe of bourekas from Stavans’ Sabor Judio: The Jewish Mexican Cookbook (Ferris & Ferris).

Book signing to follow program. Both the children’s book and cookbook will be available for purchase. Can’t make the event? You may reserve signed books online.

Who You'll Meet
Author Ilan Stavans

Ilan Stavans

Born in Mexico City, Ilan Stavans, Lewis Sebring Professor of Humanities, Latin American and Latino Culture at Amherst College, is the award-winning author of numerous books for adults and children. His work, translated into twenty languages, has been adapted into film, TV, radio, and theater.
Author website
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In the Bookshop

Cover of The Secret Recipes by Ilan Stavans

The Secret Recipe

Three children play with a dreidel outside on the pavement.

The Mexican Dreidel