Shabbat is a perfect time to slow down and share a good book with your grandchildren. Here are 25 recommended children’s picture books about Shabbat. There are fun romps, intriguing depictions of diverse Jewish communities, and quiet stories that elevate the peaceful feeling of Shabbat.  

Many of these are board books for the youngest tykes, and there are also sophisticated books for older children to enjoy, including historical fiction and true stories. So, grab a book, cuddle up together or get on video chat, and enhance your Shabbat with an intergenerational read-aloud! 

Board Books for Toddlers

Buen Shabat, Shabbat Shalom by Sarah Aroeste, illustrated by Ayesha L. Rubio (ages 0-3)

Help-a-Lot Shabbat written and illustrated by Nancy Cote (ages 0-3) 

How to Get to Savta’s for Shabbat written and illustrated by Varda Livney (ages 0-3)

Lights in the Night by Chris Barash, illustrated by Maya Shleifer (ages 0-5)

Shabbat Shalom by Douglas Florian, illustrated by Hannah Tolson (ages 0-3)

Shabbat Shalom, Hey! written and illustrated by Ann Koffsky (ages 0-3)

Shabbat Shalom, Let’s Rest and Reset written & illustrated by Suzy Ultman (ages 0-4)

Shh… Shh… Shabbat by Linda Elovitz Marshall, illustrated by Evgenia Golubeva (ages 0-3) 

Picture Books for Early Childhood

Around the Shabbos Table by Seryl Berman, illustrated by Ari Binus (ages 3-8)

Challah for Shabbat Tonight by Sara Holly Ackerman, illustrated by Alona Millgram (ages 4-8)

Chik Chak Shabbat by Mara Rockliff, illustrated by Kyrsten Brooker (ages 3-8)

On Friday Afternoon by Michal Babay, illustrated by Menahem Halberstadt (ages 4-8)

Once Upon a Shabbos by Jacqueline Jules, illustrated by Katherine Janus Kahn (ages 3-8)

Sam and Charlie (and Sam Too!) Shake Up Shabbat by Leslie Kimmelman, illustrated by Mike Dea (ages 4-8)

Shabbat Is… by A.J. Sass, illustrated by Noa Kelner (ages 3-8)

Slow Down, Shoshi! It’s Shabbat in Uganda by Rabbi Shoshana Nambi, illustrated by Moran Yogev (ages 4-10)

The Sundown Kid: A Southwestern Shabbat by Barbara Bietz, illustrations by John Kanzler (ages 4-10) 

A Synagogue Just Like Home by Alice Blumenthal McGinty, illustrated by Laurel Molk (ages 4-8)

This is My Shabbat by Chris Barash, illustrated by Aviel Basil (ages 4-8) 

Sophisticated Picture Books

Around the World in One Shabbat: Jewish People Celebrate the Sabbath Together written and illustrated by Durga Yael Bernard (ages 7-12)

Joseph and the Sabbath Fish by Eric A. Kimmel, illustrated by Martina Peluso (ages 5-12)

Ping-Pong Shabbat: The True Story of Champion Estee Ackerman by Ann Diament Koffsky, illustrated by Abigail Rajunov (ages 6-12)

Rising by Sidura Ludwig, illustrated by Sophia Vincent Guy (ages 4-12)

Shoshi’s Shabbat by Caryn Yacowitz, illustrated by Kevin Hawkes (ages 5-12)

Soosie, The Horse That Saved Shabbat by Tami Lehman-Wilzig, illustrated by Menahem Halberstadt (ages 5-12)  

Heidi Rabinowitz hosts The Book of Life: A Podcast About Jewish Kidlit, Mostly. She is a synagogue librarian and Past President of the Association of Jewish Libraries. 

Banner photograph courtesy of Pexels