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.
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Passover Board Books
These are the perfect first Passover books to share with toddlers and preschoolers.
My Family Haggadah by Rosalind Silberman, illustrated by Hiroe Nakata
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 by Tilda Balsley, illustrated by Akemi Gutierrez
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 by Joel Edward Stein, illustrated by Sara Ugolotti
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 by Rabbi Kerry Olitzky and Rabbi Deborah Bodin Cohen, illustrated by Mariia Kolker
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 by Susan Kusel, illustrated by Sean Rubin
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 by Joy Nelkin Wieder, illustrated by Shahar Kober
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 by Jane Yolen, illustrated by Khoa Le
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 A. Adler, illustrated by Jill Weber
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 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 by Monique Polak
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.
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