Common Sense Media Review
By Regan McMahon
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Warm holiday story gives kids a cute animal to follow.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 5+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
WELCOMING ELIJAH: A PASSOVER TALE WITH A TAIL begins with friends and family gathering at a home for a Seder. The text contrasts what's happening inside the home and outside. Inside it's warm and outside it's windy. "Inside, there was laughter. Outside, there was silence. Inside, a boy hugged his family. Outside, a kitten was alone." As the story continues, the kitten's actions mirror the boy's, down to him washing his hands and the kitten licking his paws. Both the boy and the kitten are waiting. When, as is the tradition, the boy opens the door for the prophet Elijah, should he arrive, the hungry, lonely kitten comes in, and the boy welcomes him with a big hug.
Is It Any Good?
This warm Passover story captures the joy of the annual religious feast through the eyes of a child—and those of a kitten! Welcoming Elijah: A Passover Tale with a Tail also captures the long wait kids experience as the many steps of the ritual meal and its readings unfold. The device of showing the kitten's parallel long, lonely wait for food and a welcoming home is effective and entertaining for young readers. The illustrations show the joy of the crowded family gathering, and the cute kitten is irresistible. An author's note explains the origin of Passover and the meaning of the Seder meal.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the rituals of the Seder shown in Welcoming Elijah: A Passover Tale with a Tail. Why do people eat the same foods and tell the same story each year?
If you celebrate Passover, who comes to your Seder?
Does following what the kitten does help you understand all the different steps the humans take as the Seder unfolds?
Book Details
- Author :
- Illustrator : Susan Gal
- Genre : Picture Book
- Topics : Animals , Holidays
- Character Strengths : Communication , Empathy
- Book type : Fiction
- Publisher : Charlesbridge Publishing
- Publication date : January 28, 2020
- Publisher's recommended age(s) : 5 - 8
- Number of pages : 32
- Available on : Hardback, Apple Books, Kindle
- Award : ALA Best and Notable Books
- Last updated : September 18, 2025
Did we miss something on diversity?
Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by
Suggest an Update
Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.
See how we rate