Today marks the beginning of Holi, the Indian festival of color, love and springtime. You know, the one with the bright, colorful powder that’s tossed in celebration of good triumphing over evil, fertility and love. (Concepts we can totally get behind!)
Every spring, my family would see that huge waft of color — and hear tons of laughing and music — coming from our old neighbor’s house on Holi. Watching them celebrate was always a highlight of the season for us. Now that we’ve moved away, I’m hoping my kids can keep those memories strong by reading Festival of Colors, a book about Holi for kids by mother-son duo Surishtha Sehgal and Kabir Sehgal, and illustrated by Vashti Harrison.
This book is just full of all the brightness and joy that Holi embodies.
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If you’re looking for an in-depth exploration of the history and meaning behind Holi, this isn’t your book. (Although it does have a quick one-page note from the authors with a bit of background on the day.) Instead, Festival of Colors focuses almost exclusively on what it’s like as a kid to anticipate and celebrate the holiday.
Throughout the book excitement builds as the kids help prepare for the celebration, and every page shows joyful, happy faces.
Related: The fabulous new book that teaches kids empathy while celebrating diversity
An added bonus: it’s helping my youngest learn her colors, as she follows the brother-sister pair in the book plucking irises, marigolds, and hibiscus flowers to make the iconic powder that’s tossed during the festival.
Holi is all about family and friends, so I love that it’s written by a mother and son. You can really sense the joy this holiday brings them. If you aren’t able to make it to a Holi celebration today, we highly recommend checking this book out instead, whether Holi is one of your own family’s traditions, or you just want to expose your kids to some of the wonderful customs and holidays from different cultures.
You can find Festival of Colors by Kabir Sehgal & Surishtha Sehgal, illustrated by Vashti Harrison, at your local library or bookstore, or at our affiliate Amazon.
