In these titles, young readers will attend Seder meals on the side of the road and Mount Everest, follow the Sarajevo Haggadah throughout history, search high and low for the afikoman, and more.

Board Books

My Matzah by Ann Diament Koffsky­. Apples & Honey. ISBN 9781681156132. 
Baby-Toddler–The young koala is on the hunt: It’s time to find the afikoman, the piece of matzah traditionally hidden during the Passover Seder. When the koala finally finds the afikoman, it’s time for caregiver and child to enjoy their matzah together at the table. VERDICT A solid addition to most holiday board book collections.

My Seder Plate Shaped Board Book by Kristen Weber. illus. by Yaara Cellier. HarperCollins/Clarion. ISBN 9780063329324. 
PreS–This round board book, shaped like a traditional Seder plate, provides a basic introduction to the foods and rituals associated with Passover. VERDICT A clever addition to the holiday board book collection that will also help the youngest guests follow along during Seder.

Picture Books

Passover on Everest by Rachelle Burk. illus. by Craig Orback. Intergalactic Afikoman. ISBN 9781951365288. 
K-Gr 4–Cheryl Bart introduced her daughter Nikki to mountain climbing at a young age. One of the most memorable moments of their journey occurred during their ascent of Mount Everest in the spring of 2008. They were spending Passover on the mountain and shared the significance of the seder with one of their guides, who was so touched by their devotion that he surprised the entire team with a Passover meal. VERDICT Collections seeking inspiring titles of family and personal devotion will benefit.

The Mysterious Missing ­Matzoh by Alan Katz. illus. by Adam Auerbach. ­HarperCollins. ISBN 9780063311183. 
Gr 1-3–The Cohen family is celebrating Passover at the grandparents’ house, and it’s time for Grandpa to hide the piece of matzoh called the afikomen. When the special meal is over and it’s finally time for the children to find the afikomen, they tear through every room in the house: no afikomen. The kids return to Grandpa and ask where the afikomen is, but he can’t remember where he put it. Readers will be delighted when they finally discover the afikomen’s hiding place. VERDICT A first purchase.

Roadside Seder by Anna Levine. illus. by Naama Lahav. Apple & Honey. ISBN 9781681156613.
PreS-Gr 2–A fallen tree is blocking the road, and Benjy's family, along with many others, won’t make it to their Passover seders. But Benjy is ingenious and suggests that everyone unpack all the special holiday dishes from their cars. He proposes that they hold a seder of their own, using the tree as a long table. VERDICT A fun-filled, original story worthy of inclusion.

[Read: 11 Picture Books to Celebrate Passover]

 Afikoman, Where’d You Go?: A Passover Hide-and-Seek Adventure by Rebecca Gardyn Levington. illus. by Noa Kelner. Penguin/Rocky Pond. ISBN 9780593617786. 
K-Gr 3–This cheerful Passover picture book is Where’s Waldo? meets The Gingerbread Man. It’s time for the children to carry out the tradition of searching for the piece of matzah called the afikoman. But there’s a problem! He’s a sneaky little guy, and he has run away from the children! VERDICT This fun book could become a Passover classic. A first purchase.

Ellis Island Passover by Marissa Moss. illus. by author. Creston. ISBN 9781954354326. 
Gr 1-4–In this story based on real events, readers journey with Great Uncle Ezra from Russia to Ellis Island and learn how he and other Jews celebrated their first Passover in America. VERDICT Recommended. This is a part of history that needs to be shared.

Matzah Day! by Charlotte Offsay. illus. by ­Jason Kirschner. ISBN 9780823458257. 
PreS-Gr 3–The story of a Jewish family making matzah, an unleavened bread traditionally baked for Passover. Rhyming, family-centered text as well as whimsical and cartoony illustrations focus on the family’s antics while making and eating the matzah. VERDICT This delightful tale is a solid addition to library collections.

Happy Passover, Edie Rose! by Joy Preble. illus. by Valeria Cis. Lerner/Kar-Ben. ISBN 9798765629949. 
PreS-Gr 2–Young Mia’s neighbor, Edie Rose, hosts a Passover seder every year for the people in their apartment building. When an accident puts Edie out of commission and the seder in jeopardy, Mia takes charge, contacting all the neighbors and planning how to surprise Edie with a ready-made seder meal. VERDICT Children will learn about the Passover seder while observing a young girl organize a memorable day for a beloved neighbor and friend.

[Read: Jewish Joy and the ‘Little Women’ of the Lower East Side | Opinion]

Where Is Poppy? by Caroline Kusin Pritchard. illus. by Dana Wulfekotte. S. & S. Feb. ISBN 9781534489196. 
K-Gr 3–A young girl arrives at Passover dinner with disappointment and longing, wondering how the yearly celebration can continue without “Poppy.” As Mama claims he is “still here,” the search for the beloved family member begins. VERDICT A simplicity of language gives this title wide appeal, while also keeping the attention of readers as the search for Poppy unfolds; a perfect story for all ages.

Everybody’s Book: The Story of the Sarajevo Haggadah by Linda Leopold Strauss. illus. by Tim Smart. Kar-Ben. ISBN 9781728486468. 
Gr 2-4–The Sarajevo Haggadah is a stunning 14th-century illuminated manuscript that includes the traditional text used during the Passover Seder, along with elaborate illustrations depicting scenes from the Bible. Strauss traces its miraculous story of survival from the first owners to its purchase by the National Museum in Sarajevo, Bosnia in 1894. VERDICT An important story that illuminates how people of different faiths recognized the value and significance of this manuscript, one of the oldest of its kind in the world, and worked together to keep it safe.

Zayde Babysits Before Passover by Jane Sutton. illus. by Kate Chappell. Lerner/Kar-Ben. ISBN 9798765619889. 
PreS-Gr 2–Young-at-heart Zayde and his granddaughter Ruthie connect over a day of activities on Passover. Told in part through a to-do list, the story traces a day of activities for Ruthie and her grandfather. VERDICT Universal themes of grandparenting and family traditions make this a good addition to holiday collections.

 A Purr-fect Passover by Jenna Waldman. illus. by Erica J. Chen. Apples & Honey. ISBN 9781681156736. 
PreS-Gr 1–A family of adorable kitty cats prepares for Passover. From singing “Meow-nishtanah” to “Dayeinu,” the cats are having a marvelous time learning their Passover traditions. This book highlights families and traditions and is certain to be a Passover favorite. VERDICT Thoroughly enjoyable and entertaining, this is a first purchase.

Transitional Books

Matzah Man to the Rescue! by Eric Kimmel. ­illus. by Charlie Fowkes. Apples & Honey. ISBN 9781681156385. 
PreS-Gr 2–An easy reader graphic novel that combines the traditions of Passover with the superhero trope to create a fun, accessible story. Matzah Man, decked out in a yellow suit with blue shorts, boots, gloves, cape, mask, and a blue Mem (the Hebrew letter “M”) on his chest, is called to save three other families’ Passovers, but can he make it home in time for his own? VERDICT This light, entertaining early reader Passover book is a pleasant addition to schools and libraries looking to expand their Passover collections.

 The Secret of the Scent Map by Elana Rubinstein. illus. by Jennifer Naalchigar. Apples & Honey. ISBN 9781681156453. 
Gr 2-4–Saralee and her family are hard at work preparing for the upcoming Passover feast at their family restaurant. When Aunt Lottie arrives, makes a mess, and takes some of the treats without offering to help, Saralee says something unkind—and Aunt Lottie mysteriously disappears. Determined to find her missing aunt, Saralee and her best friend, Harold, embark on a global adventure, guided by a “scent map” that leads them to different countries. VERDICT A valuable addition to early chapter book collections that combines a magical adventure with rich depictions of Jewish culture.

Middle Grade & YA

On All Other Nights: A Passover Celebration in 14 Stories ed. by Chris Baron & others. Abrams/Amulet. ISBN 9781419767296. 
Gr 4-7–Fourteen short stories follow the 14 steps of the Jewish Seder. The stories are diverse in genre and written by a collection of notable Jewish authors. Each one offers a different glimpse into how Passover is celebrated in America. VERDICT A strong candidate for strengthening and diversifying school and public library holiday collections.

 One Little Goat: A Passover Catastrophe by Dara Horn. illus. by Theo Ellsworth. Norton. ISBN 9781324082132. 
Gr 9 Up–What happens when you put together an endless Seder, a talking (scape) goat, and one not-so-wise teen boy? A trip through 3000 years of Seders and a new appreciation of holiday and family. VERDICT This Passover story is written with nimble tongue-in-cheek humor. Readers won’t want it to end.