Holy Moses! Here are 12 of the best Passover books for kids
BY JENNIFER BAER, SPECIAL TO THE JEWISH LIGHT Published March 28, 2023
Jewish families come in all shapes, sizes, and configurations. As PJ Library has grown, there is a deep commitment to selecting books that feature diverse and varied ways to be a family.
The books are hopefully perceived both as mirrors and windows, with stories that feel relatable and relevant and some that contain Jewish customs or traditions that may be different than our own.
As we celebrate the holiday of Passover and consider what freedoms we enjoy, take the time to recognize those who are still oppressed and who still feel marginalized. Each family has its own unique story. As we gaze through the windows of our diverse community, we can make sure to say, “We see you; we hear you; and we are glad you are here.”
There are dozens of Passover-themed PJ Library books. Here are 12 we recommend. Each image is linked to the book’s Amazon page.
A family of alligators in Florida prepares for their Passover seder, setting the table, welcoming guests, performing the seder rituals and eating the festive meal. Young readers will enjoy this rhyming, whimsical tale for the Passover holiday.
The candles are lit, the seder plate filled, and the matzo stacked high. Join in to read, sing, eat, and observe the holiday. The many steps of a Passover seder are portrayed in this rhyming story.
Winner of the Sydney Taylor Book Award and the National Jewish Book Award, Welcoming Elijah by celebrated author Lesléa Newman, unites a young boy and a stray kitten in a warm, lyrical story about Passover, family, and friendship.
As Passover draws near, Eitan is excited about singing the Ma Nishtana – the Four Questions – as he does every year on Seder night. But the Ma Nishtana is supposed to be sung by the youngest at the Seder table and this year, to Eitan’s consternation, his little sister Libby finally thinks she is ready for the job.
In this charming and witty Passover story about kindness, community, tradition, and forgiveness, a little mouse disrupts a town’s preparations for the holiday when it steals a piece of leavened bread—or chometz—just as all the houses have been swept clean in time for the holiday.
Giving her baby brother a kiss, brave little Miriam places Moses’s basket into the river. With one quick push, she sends him into the water, hoping her wish will come true and her brother will be saved from Pharaoh’s orders. But will Pharaoh’s daughter arrive in time to rescue him?
Introduces children to the many different ways of celebrating Passover around the world, including customs that can be adopted for use in the child’s own family seder.
Ezra and Roza are helping to prepare for their Passover celebration. Ezra is proud to be in charge of bringing his family’s flour to the synagogue to be baked into matzah in a traditional wood-burning oven. But when Ezra makes a mistake and the matzah is ruined, what will he and his sister Roza, do? Join the siblings as they experience the sights, smells, sounds, and unique traditions of a seder in Iran of the 1950s.
Set in Morocco, this sweet story of friendship and shared customs between a Jewish family and their Muslim neighbors provides a great introduction to the Moroccan Jewish holiday of Mimouna.
After emigrating from Russia in the late 1800’s Jacob tries to adjust to life in Argentina by inviting a new friend to the family’s Passover seder
Engineer Ari rushes to complete his final train ride to Jerusalem before Passover begins, but will he run out of time before getting the items he needs for his seder plate?
Raquela yearns to celebrate a Passover seder, but Inquisition-era Spain is a time when Jews must hide their religion. Under the rising moon, her clever papa, the best fisherman in town, creates a unique celebration for his family. In his fishing boat on the sea, far from prying eyes, they celebrate Raquela’s first seder with matzah and the Passover story.
