MY LITTLE BOOK OF HOLI

These board books are a colourful collection of picture cards which speak volumes in every page. My Little Book of Holi begins with making of colours with natural ingredients and children rushing to the market to buy them (illustrations: a boy on the wheelchair and gullak), the preparations for Holika Dahan with the pile of wood and water balloons and pichkari being kept ready: this builds up curiosity for the Puffin-size readers who would want to happily move on to the next page. The traditional festival food for Holi also finds mention which educates the young readers to the essential component of community eating and celebration in all festivals of India. With the advent of spring and splashing of colours the author navigates to the story behind this festival through shadow puppetry. The last two pages are like a little workbook for the enthusiastic readers to turn back the pages and locate the objects given. The illustrations deserve a special mention here for their sensitive portrayal of diverse groups of people across all age groups, and the inclusion of pets in the celebrations. The introduction of the young readers to the story of Prahlada, King Hiranayakashipu and Holika through shadow puppets is warmly appreciated. The pictographic presentation of the preparations prior to this festival including the making of traditional delights like the gujiya and malpua all help in creating a canvas called Holi in the reader’s mind which she shall replay as winter gives way to spring.