Welcoming Elijah: A Passover Tale with a Tail

by Lesléa Newman, Susan Gal (Illustrator)

Celebrated author Lesléa Newman unites a young boy and a stray kitten in a warm, lyrical story about Passover, family, and friendship.

Inside, a boy and his family sit around the dinner table to embrace the many traditions of their Passover Seder around the dinner table. Outside, a cat wonders, hungry and alone. When it's time for the symbolic Passover custom of opening the family's front door for the prophet Elijah, both the boy and the cat are in for a remarkable surprise.

Genres: Picture Books, Jewish, Holiday, Childrens, Family, Cats, Animals

32 pages, Hardcover

First published January 28, 2020

About the author

Lesléa Newman (born 1955, Brooklyn, NY) is the author of over 50 books including Heather Has Two Mommies, A Letter To Harvey Milk, Writing From The Heart, In Every Laugh a Tear, The Femme Mystique, Still Life with Buddy, Fat Chance and Out of the Closet and Nothing to Wear.
She has received many literary awards including Poetry Fellowships from the Massachusetts Artists Fellowship Foundation and the National Endowment for the Arts, the Highlights for Children Fiction Writing Award, the James Baldwin Award for Cultural Achievement, and two Pushcart Prize Nominations.
Nine of her books have been Lambda Literary Award finalists.
Ms. Newman wrote Heather Has Two Mommies, the first children's book to portray lesbian families in a positive way, and has followed up this pioneering work with several more children's books on lesbian and gay families: Gloria Goes To Gay Pride, Belinda's Bouquet, Too Far Away to Touch, and Saturday Is Pattyday.
She is also the author of many books for adults that deal with lesbian identity, Jewish identity and the intersection and collision between the two. Other topics Ms. Newman explores include AIDS, eating disorders, butch/femme relationships and sexual abuse. Her award-winning short story, A Letter To Harvey Milk has been made into a film and adapted for the stage.
In addition to being an author, Ms. Newman is a popular guest lecturer, and has spoken on college campuses across the country including Harvard University, Yale University, the University of Oregon, Bryn Mawr College, Smith College and the University of Judaism. From 2005-2009, Lesléa was a faculty member of the Stonecoast MFA program at the University of Southern Maine. Currently, she is the Poet Laureate of Northampton, MA.

Reviews

[Moonkiszt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Featured in grandma reads session. . .

We chose this book from a library line up, because 1) it had the name Elijah in it, and one of our readers is named Elijah, and 2) it had a white kitten on the front and everyone was all about kitties that day.

As we launched the book, I soon realized that explanations were going to be necessary every page because this is a book that ties a lost kitten in with a boy who is experiencing Passover with his Jewish family at home. Not one of my crew is Jewish or most know very little beyond the basics of religion, and certainly nothing about all the different flavors thereof. It kicked in for me, ah! That Elijah. Gotcha. Oh boy. Here we go. . . .

It took a little longer, but I warmed to the task, having always been told by my mother that if we ever left the religion we were in, we were going to see if that great religion would take us in - so I'd done my best to stay informed.

The tale is delightfully woven, and kitty, of course, is adopted and named Elijah. Our Elijah glowed.

4 stars. Meow x 4.

[Shari (Shira) · Rating 4 out of 5]

A beautiful, poetic, rhythmic telling of a seder dinner. The seesaw structure added charm to the story. I appreciated the accuracy and authenticity of the story. I am also pleased to see a picture book featuring the Jewish experience written by an accomplished author, published by a mainstream publisher, including high quality illustrations.

[Tasha · Rating 4 out of 5]

In a warm, brightly lit home, a Seder is about to start. Outside sits a lonely kitten, looking at the festivities through the window. Guests arrive to the Seder and it begins lit by candles that glow out into the dark night where the kitten sits. The boy washes his hands, dips parsley into salt water, breaks matzo, and listens to the tale of the Israelites leaving Egypt. Outside, the kitten washes his paws, eats a wet blade of grass, drinks from a puddle, and waits. Songs are sung inside and the kitten mewls outdoors. Finally, the door is opened for the prophet Elijah to enter, bringing peace. When the boy opens the door, there is the white kitten who found a home and a name, Elijah.

Newman’s text moves back and forth between the Seder and the darkness outside, cleverly tying the two together in small moments that echo one another. The beauty and solemnity of the Seder works in harmony with the beauty of the night outside and yet contrasts against it as well with the lone kitten and the house full of people. The text is simple and graceful, completed by an Author’s Note that offers more details about Passover, Seders and Ellijah.

The illustrations are done in ink, charcoal and digital collage. They use warm yellows for the indoor Seder and blues and blacks for the night outside. Readers will glimpse the indoor scenes from the kitten’s perspective as well as the darkness outside from inside the home. That connection is maintained throughout the book.

A lovely Passover book with whiskers. Appropriate for ages 2-4.

[Ms. B · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not sure if this is eligible for the 2021 Caldecott, I sure enjoyed the illustrations in this Passover (Seder) tale about the joy of a family who remembers and celebrates their traditions and a kitten without home. (Parts of it were giving me flashbacks to a favorite from the 1970s, Rich Cat, Poor Cat by Bernard Waber.
Those who want to learn more about the Jewish faith, are looking for new stories books to read at Eastertime or cat lovers will want to check this one out.

[Joan · Rating 5 out of 5]

My rambunctious toddler grandson was on my bed and stopped to look at all of Grandma’s big books. This was in the pile so I read it to him. He actually wanted to hear it again! That surprised me and is the reason for the 5/5 star rating. However, another reason is the author’s afterword, reminding people that Jews hope that the prophet Elijah will bring peace to the world. Which would include life for victims of crimes by police! Written the week that yet another victim was killed 10 miles away from where Mr. Floyd was killed and where his murderer is currently on trial.
Back to the deceptively simple story. Alternative pages detail what happens to the boy and the kitten during the Seder for Passover. This is a quiet book, for children who can sit and listen to a story build to its climax and satisfying ending. There is also a quiet lesson about kindness to animals here and a delightfully multiethnic family! Highly recommended by Grandma as well!

[June · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Passover tale that follows a boy's celebration along side a kitten's nocturnal survival. An Author's Note gives a more detailed description of the holiday.

[Gabrielle Stoller · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a delightful book about Passover and welcoming Elijah. (For note: in Jewish culture it is said that Elijah, who ascended to heaven in a fiery chariot, will return to earth to announce the coming of the Messiah and a time of peace.) So in our store, the door is opened to welcome Elijah......but Elijah is not fully who you would expect!

I love the story of welcoming those who do not have a home. Of waiting expectantly. Of showing love to those who need it. THAT is true Christianity.

[Cindy Mitchell *Kiss the Book* · Rating 4 out of 5]

Welcoming Elijah : A Passover Tale with a Tail by Lesléa Newman illustrated by Susan Gal, PICTURE BOOK Charlesbridge, 2020, $7. 9781580898829

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

Inside, a boy and his family prepare for the Passover Seder - welcoming family, waiting for the moon to rise, filling the prophet Elijah's cup and lighting candles. Outside a lonely kitten also waits for the moon to rise - he drinks from a puddle, cleans his paws and chews on a piece of grass. As the boy and his family participate in the Seder - the kitten waits outside, but when the boy gets to open the door for Elijah, who do you think is waiting on the porch?

Newman shifts the story back and forth between the boy and the kitten, mirroring each other. The text is smooth and lyrical, perfect for the solemnity of the occasion. Susan Gal's illustrations are warm and bright inside, with the outside portrayed in blues and blacks - with a beautiful white kitten. Includes an author's note with an explanation of Passover and a description of some of the traditional rituals.

Lisa Librarian
https://kissthebookjr.blogspot.com/20...

[Kasey Gilbert Poindexter · Rating 5 out of 5]

A boy and his family celebrate Passover together, while a stray kitten makes his way alone outside. At the end of the Seder, the boy opens the door for the prophet Elijah and finds a something entirely different.

Welcoming Elijah is a short and sweet story. The text is simple but flows well, and the illustrations are beautiful. The author's note with information about Passover is a great addition, since not all readers will be aware of what Passover is.

*Thank you to Edelweiss and the publisher for sharing an e-copy with me in exchange for my honest review.*

[Deb (Readerbuzz) Nance · Rating 4 out of 5]

A family celebrates the first night of Passover inside, with light and warmth and laughter, while a kitten sits outside, dark, the cold, and silent.

A fresh and surprising story of welcoming Elijah.

[Naomi Leasck · Rating 4 out of 5]

This Sydney Taylor Winner was a good read. I enjoyed the Cumulative Tale, although I felt confused and left without explanation at some points. It wasn't until I finished it that I realized the author included a breakdown of the cultural things implemented into the story at the end of the book. I thought this was an excellent way to introduce Jewish culture to people who are unfamiliar. The continuous Rhyme Scheme made the book super easy to go through and the Characters were all drawn beautifully. Overall, the book was worth reading. The illustrations and cultural explanations really brought the story to life.

[KC · Rating 3 out of 5]

Passover, a boy, and a cat...

[Beatrice · Rating 5 out of 5]

If I just buy nothing but more copies of this for my LFL, can anyone stop me?

[Juli Anna · Rating 3 out of 5]

A sweet and welcoming story.

[Amanda Brooke · Rating 4 out of 5]

Prefect addition to a library that needs more diverse picture books. This is a fun and beautiful sharing of a Passover when a stray kitty finds a home. The book includes information about Passover for people unfamiliar with the traditions.

[Kayla Rutz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Students will be drawn to this story for its ink, charcoal, and digital collage illustrations alone. The illustrator, Susan Gal, knew what kids liked when she illustrated this book. This book is a great window for students that have never been exposed to Passover before. This would be a great book for a classroom library because it’s a Sydney Taylor Book Award winner and it’s diverse. I’ll be sure to keep an eye out for more books written by the author, Lesléa Newman.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a beautiful story about a boy and the special traditions his family celebrates at Passover with an unexpected guest who appears at the end. I adored the gorgeous illustrations and the view into this special Jewish holiday. A wonderful book to introduce children to the traditions and magic of Passover.

[Andréa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Note: I accessed a digital review copy of this book through Edelweiss.

[Erica · Rating 2 out of 5]

Parallel descriptions of a stray cat’s and a young boy’s experiences on Passover night allow readers to guess they will meet in the end; Jewish readers will know that it will happen when the door is opened for the prophet Elijah, which is part of most Seders.

Gal’s illustrations done in ink, charcoal, and digital collage show dramatic scenes contrasting the warm yellow interior lights with the dark-blue and black exterior scenes of the woodsy-residential neighborhood. The bright and cozy house is full of a diverse variety of people - all ages, skin colors, body shapes, and clothing, attentively engaging across generations.

The simple text provides highlights of the Passover Seder; “Inside, the boy washed his hands. Outside, the kitten cleaned its paws….Inside, the boy broke the middle matzo in half. Outside, the kitten split a twig in two.”

The main character’s anticipation of opening the door may not match the focal point of every reader’s experience - for example, many children eagerly await hunting for the missing half-matzo, which is not even hinted at in this story.

Furthermore, greeting a snowy-white, pink-eared kitten at one’s door on Passover would be so much better than the nothing that usually happens, young readers may hope for it in vain.

Nevertheless, the illustrations of the warm and loving diverse family alone make this worthwhile for many Jewish families to read in advance of their own Seders.

(Review originally submitted to The Association of Children's Librarians of Northern California in May, 2020.)

[Christine Cachuela]

Welcoming Elijah is a story about a young boy celebrating Passover with his family. The story alternates between talking about each of the traditions the family is taking part in for the holiday and giving the perspective of an abandoned kitten outside the home. At the end of the book the boy finds the kitten and welcomes him into the home as a new pet. This book works as an early reader because of there are still a lot of intriguing illustrations and it has few and simple words per page. There are also a lot of words that repeat themselves and rhyme to help a beginning reader learn patterns within the language. It’s simple storyline centers around a theme of spending time celebrating with one’s family, which is still the most important social relationship in this age group’s life. The book also comes with instructions at the back for re-enacting some of the holiday-themed activities featured in the story, giving it a more interactive element, and will also allow opportunities to create mirrors for those of the Jewish faith and windows for children who have not had exposure to the religion.

[Julie Ditton · Rating 4 out of 5]

During the Seder, we recite " Let all who are hungry, come and eat". This biblical statement is why it is considered a mitzvah to have guests at one's seder. In Leslea Newman's poetic Passover tale there are many guests inside the home. But there is one guest yet to come. This poem story alternates between inside the bright, warm house where the boy celebrates with food, family and friends and outside where a hungry, homeless cat shivers in the dark. When the youngster opens the door for Elijah, the cat is welcomed in. Susan Gel has illustrated the story with contrasting pallets of warm yellows inside and dark blues and blacks for the outside pictures. The expressive faces and people hugging show a loving family happy to be together. I contrast, the poor cat looks rather pitiful and evokes empathy. This book teaches us all to open our hearts as well as our doors.

Besides a fantastic Passover story, this book would also be great for exploring the concept of opposites and as an example of free verse in a poetry discussion.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Inside, a boy and his family prepare for the Passover Seder - welcoming family, waiting for the moon to rise, filling the prophet Elijah's cup and lighting candles. Outside a lonely kitten also waits for the moon to rise - he drinks from a puddle, cleans his paws and chews on a piece of grass. As the boy and his family participate in the Seder - the kitten waits outside, but when the boy gets to open the door for Elijah, who do you think is waiting on the porch?

Newman shifts the story back and forth between the boy and the kitten, mirroring each other. The text is smooth and lyrical, perfect for the solemnity of the occasion. Susan Gal's illustrations are warm and bright inside, with the outside portrayed in blues and blacks - with a beautiful white kitten. Includes an author's note with an explanation of Passover and a description of some of the traditional rituals.

For this and more of my reviews, visit http://kissthebookjr.blogspot.com

[Sarah Threlkeld · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is the first night of Passover and a boy is welcoming family and friends into his home while outside a white kitten watches and waits. As the night goes on the boy participates in the Seder, with the small cat mirroring many of the boy's actions. Finally, the boy opens the door to welcome the prophet Elijah and who is there waiting for him but the sweet kitten. This beautiful story presents Passover traditions in both an informative and engaging way, while also building suspense through the feline's narrative. The mixed media illustrations in warm tones complement the holiday gathering perfectly. Back matter includes an author's note about Passover, as well as a list of some traditional rituals of the Passover Seder. This is an extremely well-written holiday picture book that should be in every elementary library collection.

[Mandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Children's picture book. I had seen this book discussed in various places and wanted to read and review it before the Passover season started so other readers could find it. Inside, a Jewish family shares the traditional Seder to start Passover. Outside, a young kitten wanders alone. As the text progresses, the parallels between the outside scene and the inside one increase. When the young boy opens the door to see if the prophet Elijah has come, the kitten bolts in, earning itself the name Elijah and a new home. Lovely illustrations and a sweet story. This text is informative, but is a more interesting story than a straightforward "this is what the Passover meal looks like" story would be.

[Taunya Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

Welcoming Elijah is a beautifully written, beautifully illustrated children's book about Passover.

The book takes the reader through the rituals of the Passover Seder while also comparing the life of the boy with the life of a homeless kitten. The boy's seeming excitement of waiting for the prophet Elijah saves the kitten.

The language used is appropriate for the age group that the book is geared towards. The author gives a more thorough explanation of the Passover Seder at the end so that parents can explain the steps in more detail and in ways that their children will understand.

If you celebrate Passover, this would be a great book to read to your children (of any age)!

[Het boekenrijk · Rating 4 out of 5]

Welcoming Elijah: A Passover Tale with a Tail written by Leslea Newman and illustrated by Susan Gal is an original story about a little boy celebrating Passover. It explains the rituals used during the fesivities but this is entwined with a story about a kitten.
The used language makes the story easy to understand. The artwork is quite dark but very athmosferic and represents the ambience of this festive night.
At the end of the book more info is given concerning the passover. Therefore the book is very well suited for both Jewish families but also to teach children about different religions.

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Even though I am approaching my Medicare birthday (you should be able to figure out my age from that), I still love reading children’s books, including picture books. It’s always interesting to see the clever ways authors and illustrators combine words and pictures to create something greater than the sum of its parts. Two new examples are “The Passover Mouse” by Joy Nelkin Wieder and illustrated by Shahar Kober (Doubleday Books for Young Readers) and “Welcoming Elijah: a Passover tale with a tail” by Lesléa Newman and illustrated by Susan Gal (Charlesbridge).
See the rest of my review at http://www.thereportergroup.org/Artic...

[Jana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Even though Passover is over for this year, young readers will enjoy this lovely picture book detailing the celebration that has family and friends at the center of it. This year especially, we are all missing special times of celebrations and get-togethers - Mother's Day, graduations, birthdays, and many others. With a cute story that shows what happens inside and outside, between a young boy and an adorable kitten, kids can learn about togetherness and caring along with the specifics of this Jewish tradition. An author's note at the end explains in even more detail the traditions around Jewish Passover celebrations.

[Lynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This warm and sweet story truly touched a fond childhood memory of opening the door for Elijah during a Seder meal at my grandparent's. The dual story adds a compelling touch to the story which provides basic information about the Seder and how it is observed.

Susan Gal's illustrations are done in ink, charcoal and digital collages and the rich tones beautifully reflect the joyous celebration. They heighten the contrast between the warmth of the family meal inside and the shivering kitten outside. I got a little teary as the little boy gets an unexpected response when he opens the door and asks, "Elijah?"

A lovely addition to Passover collections.

[Becky B · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a boy and his family celebrate Passover with a seder, a little stray cat does similar things outside, and when it comes time in the seder to welcome Elijah, the two storylines cross.

I really liked how this simply related the basics of what is involved in a Passover seder celebration. The parallels between the cat and the boy help tie the two storylines together and build anticipation for the climax, which makes for a very sweet ending. A feel-good holiday story with an art style that is enchanting and really helps focus the spotlights of the story. I can see why this won a Sydney Taylor Book Award.