Here are recommended children’s books about the Jewish holiday Passover. Find children's Passover books for your child from this selection of children's books for a wide range of ages. You'll find Passover stories, songs, recipes, artwork, activities, and much more in these children's Passover books.
1. Wonders and Miracles: A Passover Companion
This beautiful children's book is one that the entire family will cherish. Written and compiled by Eric A. Kimmel, one of America's most well-known Jewish storytellers, it is illustrated with art spanning 3,000 years. While the book will be of particular interest to Jewish families, I would recommend it to anyone eager to learn more about the Jewish holiday Passover. The 136-page book includes recipes, poems, blessings, prayers and songs. (Scholastic Press, 2004. ISBN: ISBN: 0439071755)
2. Why on This Night? A Passover Haggadah
This 112-page book by Rachel Musleah is one the whole family will enjoy. It includes songs, drama, explanations, dances, and recipes. The book is designed to actively involve children in the family’s celebration of the Jewish holiday. The artwork by Louise August is engaging, and the book has a lot to offer 6-12 year olds. (Simon & Schuster, 2000. ISBN: 068983313X)
3. On Passover
A young girl describes how her family prepares for and celebrates Passover. The intriguing illustrations in collagraph and mixed media, featuring muted colors, are by Melanie W. Hall. Author Cathy Goldberg Fishman emphasizes the meaning of the symbols of the Jewish holiday as the girl experiences the sights, sounds, smells, tastes, and feelings that are all part of the celebration. I recommend this picture book for children 5-11. (Simon & Schuster, 1997. ISBN: 0689805284)4. It’s Seder Time
It's the photos of children celebrating the Passover seder at their Jewish preschool that make this picture book special. Each page features a large photo, along with one or two sentences of text. The children make matzah and charset as they prepare for their celebration. They dress up and reenact the Passover story, using Torah masks. At the end of the book are directions for the masks and a page of detailed information about the Passover seder. (Kar-Ben Publishing, 2004. ISBN: 1580130925)5. Had Gadya: A Passover Song
Artist Seymour Chwast gives added meaning to the lyrics of this cumulative Passover song. His acrylic paintings depict a busy village where everyone is preparing for Passover. The original Aramic lyrics of this folk song are included at the end of the book, along with the melody. The afterword by Rabbi Michael Strassfeld provides an interesting look at the history and meaning of the folktale presented in Had Gadya. I recommend it for all ages. (Roaring Book Press, 2005. ISBN: 1596430338)6. The Secret Seder
This bittersweet picture book by Doreen Rappaport is about a Jewish family hiding in France during Hitler’s march towards Europe. Jacques and his father take a grave risk by going into the mountains to celebrate a secret seder. The story and Emily Arnold McCully’s paintings capture the tension and the emotion of the event. While the participants are bitter about their own lack of freedom, they rejoice in the sweetness of celebrating the seder together. (Hyperion Books, 2005. ISBN: 0786807776)7. Celebrating Passover
With photographs by Lawrence Migdale and text by Diane Hoyt-Goldsmith, Celebrating Passover documents one Jewish family’s Passover. Nine-year-old Micah Kamrass and his family begin their preparations by reading about the traditions of Passover and, then, bring these traditions to life in their own preparations and seder celebration. The detailed explanations and the photographs of the family’s activities make this an excellent book for 6-12 year olds. (Holiday House, 2000. ISBN: 0823414205)8. Four Special Questions: A Passover Story
If you are looking for a book to introduce Passover to young children, this Festival Time! Picture book would be a good choice. The colorful, childlike watercolor illustrations by Jan Barger Cohen and Jonny Zucker’s simple text provide a brief overview of a Jewish family’s Passover preparations and celebration. At the end of the book is a two page section, "What is Passover about?" that provides more detailed information and definitions (Barron’s, 2003. ISBN: 0764122673)9. The Matzah That Papa Brought Home
This picture book, a cumulative tale in rhyme, is one that children of all ages will enjoy. The tale, narrated by a young girl, tells the story of her family’s Passover Seder, starting with Papa coming home with the matzah. Ned Bittinger's paintings are wonderful, particularly the family scenes around the Seder table. At the end of the book is a two-page summary of the story of Passover and information about some of the symbols and traditions of the Seder. (Scholastic, 1995. ISBN: 0590471465)10. The Story of Passover
The author does not try to overload the reader with information on the many traditions and symbols of Passover, instead focusing on the Passover story and the Seder. The simple full page illustrations and borders painted by Erika Weihs, the calm retelling of the Passover story by Norma Simon, the clear explanation for the Jewish holiday, and the detailed description of the Seder combine to make this book a good choice for 7 to 10 year olds. (HarperTrophy, HarperCollins, 1965. ISBN: 0060270632)In addition to these children's books about the Jewish holiday Passover, I have also recommended a number of children's books about Hanukkah. Are there other children's books about Jewish holidays that you recommend?
