FICTION

Maya’s Holi

by Thrity Umrigar (text) & illus. by ­Kamala Nair
Scholastic. Jan. 2025. 40p. Tr $18.99. ISBN 9781338875553.
COPY ISBN
K-Gr 3–A colorful story about the celebration of Holi. Maya is excited to be in India visiting her grandparents during the festival of Holi. She gets to “play Holi” for the first time by throwing colorful chalk and colorful water on her cousins and neighbors. Readers are treated to Indian names of food, clothing, and expressions. Nair’s bright illustrations match the happy celebration with sparkling stars glistening in the colorful chalk clouds. Maya’s excitement provides its own energy to the story as she leaps out of the bed in the morning and shouts “Let’s go, let’s go, let’s GO” when her cousins arrive after breakfast. Back matter includes an explanation of the holiday and a recipe for mango lassi.
VERDICT A fresh and lively book that both entertains and teaches about this special holiday.
Reviewed by Heidi Dechief , Dec 01, 2024

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