• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

What Do We Do All Day logo

  • Start Here
  • Books
    • Classics
      • 20th Century Classics
    • Early Chapter Books
    • Easy Readers
    • Folktales
    • Holiday Books
    • Middle Grade (8-12 years)
    • Nonfiction
    • Picture Books
    • Read Aloud Chapter Books
  • Games
    • Traditional Games
  • Kids Activities
    • Arts and Crafts
    • Literacy & Writing
    • Math
    • Playful Activities
    • Science
    • Toddler
  • Parenting
menu icon
go to homepage
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • Books for kids
  • Games
  • Indoor activities for kids
  • Parenting
  • About
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • YouTube
  • ×
    You are here: Home / Books / Children's Passover Books for Family Celebrations

     

    Children's Passover Books for Family Celebrations

    • Facebook
    • Twitter

    Holiday books are easy to find at your local library. Just plug in the name of the holiday to the catalog and all the available selections will make themselves known. But when Passover is coming on fast and limited time, which titles are actually worth checking out to read with your kids?

    These children's Passover books will help you on your way, whether your family is preparing to celebrate the Exodus from Egypt, or whether you are a non-Jewish family hoping to teach your kids about other faith traditions.

    Collage of Passover books for kids

    Note: this list contains Amazon and Bookshop affiliate links. Purchases made through these links may earn a commission for this blog. Bookshop also supports independent bookstores.

    Passover Board Books

    These are the perfect first Passover books to share with toddlers and preschoolers.

    My Family Haggadah board book for Passover

    My Family Haggadah by Rosalind Silberman, illustrated by Hiroe Nakata

    Find it: Bookshop | Amazon

    This is a very sweet introduction to the Passover holiday narrated by a young boy in the first person. In simple sentences, he shares the steps of the Passover seder. The book does not go into the meaning behind the the rituals but it is the perfect first book to get young children ready for Passover.

    Lotsa Matzah preschool Passover book cover

    Lotsa Matzah by Tilda Balsley, illustrated by Akemi Gutierrez

    Find it: Bookshop | Amazon

    When you want a winsome, rhyming tale to read to toddlers and preschoolers that features the holiday's signature unleavened treat, Lotsa Matzah is the book you'll turn to. Balsley's rhymes showcase the (very, very) brief history of matzah, how, it fits into the Seder, the endless appearance over the course of a week and the festive scramble to find it as part of the afikomen hunt.

    MORE: Jewish Folktales

    Passover Picture Books

    The following Passover picture books will be enjoyed by the elementary-aged (and older) crowd. These well-written stories include historical fiction, contemporary stories, whimsical folktales as well as books that explain the history and traditions of Passover rituals.

    Raquela's Seder book

    Raquela's Seder by Joel Edward Stein, illustrated by Sara Ugolotti

    Find it: Bookshop | Amazon

    I thoroughly enjoyed this beautiful and interesting Passover story set during the Spanish Inquisition when Jews had to practice their faith in secret. On Friday nights, Raquela's family lights the Shabbas candles in their cellar, but Raquela hopes that they might be able to celebrate the Passover seder elsewhere. Her father is a fisherman and after the family prepares in secret, they meet offshore on his boat and celebrate in the open air. The story draws parallels between the family's hope for freedom and the Passover story of the Jewish people's journey to freedom.

    An Invitation to Passover book cover

    An Invitation to Passover by Rabbi Kerry Olitzky and Rabbi Deborah Bodin Cohen, illustrated by Mariia Kolker

    Find it: Bookshop | Amazon

    I really enjoyed how this Passover picture book depicts a diverse community. Hannah's extended family won't be attending the Passover seder so Hannah decides to invite her friends. Each of her four invitations represents a theme of Passover and each of her friends all bring a little piece of their own culture to the celebration to match the theme. Sammy's kite represents celebrations of spring in India, Monique's African-American spiritual is about freedom, Ha-joon's Korean kimchi is a parallel to the bitter herbs, and Hannah's matzah is a reminder of how her family was forbidden to make the bread in Moscow. Delightful.

    The Passover Guest book cover

    The Passover Guest by Susan Kusel, illustrated by Sean Rubin

    Find it: Bookshop | Amazon

    As a result of her act of kindness, young Miriam experiences a Passover miracle. In Depression-era Washington DC, Miriam's family lacks the money to put together a proper seder. When she passes the Lincoln Memorial, Miriam gives her last penny to a juggler. As she does so, he tells her to head home to celebrate with her family. At her home, a stranger comes to the door and transforms the empty table into a seder feast. The family shares their feast with the whole community. One of my favorites from this list!

    The Passover Mouse

    The Passover Mouse by Joy Nelkin Wieder, illustrated by Shahar Kober

    Find it: Bookshop | Amazon

    This sweet and laugh-out-loud Passover tale, taken from a story in the Babylonian Talmud, emphasizes themes of kindness, forgiveness and community. The families in a Jewish village have finished sweeping their houses of any traces of chametz (leavened bread) when a mouse grabs a piece of bread and travels from house to house, thus undoing all the hard work of the villagers. The community must work together now to get ready for the seder, chasing after the mouse, enduring the complications of a cat and making sure all the crumbs gone.

    MORE: Jewish Picture Books (that are not about the Holocaust)

    Miriam at the River book cover

    Miriam at the River by Jane Yolen, illustrated by Khoa Le

    Find it: Bookshop | Amazon

    Yolen and Le's book is a welcome and unique addition to the shelves of Passover reading. In a lyrical voice, young Miriam narrates the experience of placing her baby brother, Moses, in the Nile, watching him float peacefully on the water, and finally being found and held by the Pharoah’s daughter. Le's illustrations are amazing and make this book a joy to read. In her author's note, Yolen details how she drew upon Exodus and the Midrash to write her book.

    Fun Fact: Khoa Le also illustrated Bare Tree and Little Wind on my Easter Picture Book List.

    The Story of Passover by David Adler

    The Story of Passover by David A. Adler, illustrated by Jill Weber

    Find it: Bookshop | Amazon

    Adler has a number of books explaining the history of various Jewish holidays, and they are excellent resources when you want more comprehensive details surrounding the history and meaning of the holiday. This colorfully illustrated book, tells the origin story of Passover from the time when Jacob settled in Egypt, through Moses leading the Jewish people out of slavery. The text is straightforward but still engaging. Back matter further explains Passover traditions and symbolism of the seder. In addition, the book has been vetted by "a rabbinical authority."

    MORE: Hanukkah Picture Books

    The Elijah Door book cover

    The Elijah Door by Linda Leopold Strauss

    Find it: Your Library | Amazon

    This story about families coming together can be enjoyed anytime, not just at Passover. Two families, the the Lippas and the Galinskys always celebrated Passover together, but some complicated livestock dealings turned them into adversaries. The son and daughter of the opposing houses, however, want to get married and they enlist the help of the rabbi in their plot, which involves a very, very, very long seder table. The story also introduces a bit of the Passover traditions, like following breadcrumbs and the Four Questions. The text is lovely and I adore the woodblock illustrations.

    Nonfiction Passover Books

    Passover a Festival of Freedom book

    Passover: A Festival of Freedom by Monique Polak

    Find it: Bookshop | Amazon

    For children and adults who want to learn more about how Passover is celebrated around the world, this is book is an excellent resource. Using photographs and an easy-to-digest layout, the author uses historical information and personal stories to explain the meaning of Passover, its traditions and how celebrations change depending on the time and place. Throughout the book, the emphasis is on Passover as a story of freedom. Superb.

    MORE: Middle Grade Books with Jewish Protagonists

    « 11 Timeless Jewish Folktales for Kids
    Hop into Reading with Easter Books »
    • Facebook
    • Twitter

    Reader Interactions

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    Primary Sidebar

    Hi, I'm Erica! I believe parents can stay sane without giving their kids an electronic device. Learn how!

    More about me →

    Newsletter

    Join over 15,000 subscribers who said "Yes! I want to unplug my kids!" We'll send you 10 waiting games your kids can play anytime, anywhere. Join here -->

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • Privacy Policy
    • About the Site

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up! for emails and join over 15,000 other families finding ways reduce screen time.

    Other Stuff

    We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases

    Copyright © 2023 What Creative Media LLC

    Want More Free Activity Ideas?
    Join our email list and as a thank you gift I'll send you a list of 10 waiting games that will make your kids smarter.
    Your email will *never* be shared or sold to a 3rd party. Click here to view our privacy policy.
    Want your kids to love being unplugged?
    Join our newsletter and as a thank you, I'll send you a list of 10 waiting games.
    Your email will *never* be shared or sold to a 3rd party. Click here to view our privacy policy.