Passover is an eight day festival that commemorates the freeing of Jewish people from slavery in Egypt. During Passover, families retell the Passover story and eat symbolic food from a Passover Seder plate. To learn more about the Seder plate, watch this video prepared especially for kids by the PJ Library, an organization that helps children learn about the Jewish experience through storytelling and other educational materials.
Our featured video read aloud story about Passover is called Welcoming Elijah a Passover Tale With a Tail by Lesléa Newman, winner of the Sydney Taylor Book Award in 2021 for excellence in Jewish children's literature. When the story opens a family has begun their Passover Seder and have gathered around their dinner table. While they prepare to welcome Elijah indoors, a hungry stray kitten waits outside in the cold.
The story is read aloud by the author. In the opening minutes she explains all the special foods that are eaten during Passover from the Seder plate. She begins reading the story at the five minute mark.
Talk!
After listening to the story, talk about some of the things that happened in it.
- Can you name one of the foods that is put on the seder plate?
- What did the family dip in salt water?
- Whose cup is on the table?
- Why does the boy open the door? What is waiting when the door is opened?
Read!
Click on one of the book covers below and listen to more Passover stories read aloud.
Find more FREE online reading at 100+ Free Video Read Alouds or try storytime at home!
Use your indyPL Library Card to check out books about Passover at any of our locations, or check out e-books and e-audiobooks from home right to your device. If you have never used Axis 360 or OverDrive before, you can learn how to use them for both e-books and audiobooks.
- Passover e-books and audiobooks from Axis 360 Kids
- Passover e-books and audiobooks from OverDrive Kids
Need help? Ask a Library staff member at any of our locations or call, text, or email Ask-a-Librarian. The Tinker Station helpline at (317) 275-4500 is also available. It is staffed by device experts who can answer questions about how to read, watch and listen on a PC, tablet or phone.
Sing!
Learn the words to this silly classic Passover song featuring Jason Mesches. Listen to more Passover songs like it here.
Write!
Find some crayons or markers to draw the foods you might find on a Seder plate, or draw a scene from the Passover story.
Play!
Here are some ideas for making Passover crafts and projects for kids.
- Jewish Children's Museum of New York: Make Your Own Afikoman Bag
- Jewish Children's Museum of New York: How to Craft a Beautiful Elijah Cup
- Printable Card Game: Who Knows About Passover?
Passover for Kids
The Jewish holiday Passover centers around the Seder, a ritual meal at which the family gathers to retell the biblical story of how, in ancient times, the Jewish people escaped slavery in Egypt. This list includes fiction and non-fiction books and online information for children to learn about the meaning of the holiday and the symbolic, but fun Seder meal.
Welcoming Elijah
A Passover Tale With A Tail
Charming pictures and story introduce the rituals of Passover and share the warmth of gathering for the Seder meal . Well-deserved winner of the 2020 Sydney Taylor Book award!
The Longest Night
A Passover Story
Evocative illustrations help tell the story of the Exodus from the point of view of a young Jewish girl escaping slavery in Egypt.
Stone Soup With Matzoh Balls
A Passover Tale in Chelm
Enjoy a Passover version of this familiar story!