Festival of Colors

PreS-Gr 2–This board book adaptation captures the beautiful illustrations and evocative descriptions of the original. Young readers are introduced to the Hindu Spring festival of Holi through the eyes of two young siblings, Chintoo and Mintoo. The siblings collect the colorful flowers of hibiscus, orchids, marigolds, and irises that they then dry and press into powders. When their powders are ready and they go off with their family toward the celebration, there are vibrant bursts of powder and shouts of “Holi, Hai.” The colors used are vivid throughout but they especially pop after the bright powder is thrown. The short sentences and repetition will make this appealing to young readers. The use of color within the text also highlights the words used, creating deeper associations between that color and its spelling. It’s also wonderful that the illustrations depict the various shades of brown skin tones of the siblings and others, highlighting that different races that can exist among family members and within a community. An author’s note gives further information.