Books are a great way to teach kids and get them excited about Passover. April 22nd marks the beginning of the holiday commemorating the story of Exodus. The time when the Israelites were freed from slavery in Egypt.
It’s a time of reflection, sharing with family and friends (be it in-person or virtually), and it’s also a time of retelling an important struggle of our ancestors.
This is also a time to teach future generations about what this holiday means and why we celebrate it the way we do.
The Seder (ceremonial meal) that includes many symbolic pieces can be confusing if you don’t understand their meaning. Blessings, songs, symbolic foods, and the Haggadah reading make up most of the evening. It can also run pretty long. My kids are older now and take part in reading the Haggadah during the Seder, but trying to keep them engaged during the Seder before was not easy.
Books were my go-to for seder nights. I would try and find books that we could go through together before Passover to teach them about the holiday and look through during the Seder on their own.
Below is a list of some books that my kids loved when learning about Passover and some that mama friends have recommended as well. I hope you find something that works for your family. Happy reading!
1. My First Passover (Tomie DePaola)
This board book is fantastic to read with the littlest ones! It includes simple text and colorful illustrations while explaining the Seder’s different aspects. It also answers the well-known Passover question, “Why is this night different from all other nights?”
2. It’s Passover Grover (Jodi Shepherd)
Sesame Street is just the best for teaching absolutely everything. Jewish holidays are no exception. Grover hosts a seder that turns out to be much larger than expected. But have no fear as per the traditional Passover invite, “Let all who are hungry come and eat,” ensures that there is a place for everyone at the table. Where he thought he might not have enough space, he miraculously does.
This is an excellent book for little ones because it celebrates the holiday and includes the underlying themes of inclusion and sharing. It also has a quick explanation of the story of Passover and holiday customs. This book comes with stickers, a matching card game, and a poster for the kids to display.
If your family loves Sesame Street, be sure to also check out their other Passover books and Shalom Sesame: It’s Passover Grover on Youtube, AppleTV, or Amazon Prime Video.
3. Sammy Spider’s First Haggadah (Sylvia A. Rouss)
This Haggadah is a fantastic way for kids to follow along with the Seder. It goes over how we prepare for Passover, holiday traditions, and the story of Exodus. This book explains the whole story of Passover in a way young children can understand.
It includes traditional Passover songs like Dayenu, as well as new songs about the different Passover traditions. I will mention it doesn’t explain the final plague, the slaying of the firstborn, because of the audience it is geared towards. The colorful illustrations and kid-friendly explanations make this a great addition to your Passover education library and seder table.
If you love this type of book, there is also a board book, Sammy Spiders Passover Shapes, as well as Sammy Spiders First Passover.
4. The Story of Passover (David A. Adler)
This book is a simple retelling of the Passover story and perfect for elementary school kids. It also includes an author’s note that describes the symbolism behind different parts of the Passover seder.
5. My Very Own Haggadah: A Seder Service for Young Children (Judyth Groner)
This book tells the story of Passover. It includes seder songs, blessings, recipes, and crafts. The best part (in my opinion) is that it’s also a coloring book! This is a great one for the kids during the Seder.
6. A Tale of Two Seders (Mindy Avra Portnoy)
A mom recommended this book and when I saw it I knew it had to be on this list! This is a book about blended families celebrating Passover. It’s a story about a little girl whose parents are recently divorced. She is trying to understand how she will celebrate Passover with each parent separately. It shows how the family adjusts to their new life and how they make beautiful new traditions as a blended family.
This is just a sampling of all the amazing Passover books there are for kids. Let us know in the comments if you have any other recommendations to add to the list. Also, if you would like any other suggestions, feel free to reach out.
Reading holiday books with my kids (and later on them reading them on their own) has not only helped them understand the importance of Passover, but it has also encouraged them to want to be part of the Seder.
As we go through the Seder, they have a better understanding of what we are doing, why we are doing it, and now have a stronger connection to the holiday and our faith.
Find what works best for your family, and know that any way you choose to teach your kids about these holidays is perfect!
To everyone who celebrates, Jag Pesach Sameach!
Updated April 2024
