Celebrate Holi With Me! (From The Toddler Diaries)

This book is an incredible resource to introduce Holi to kids and lends itself to lots of differentiation as needed, based on the age group it is being read to. I came across this book and then realized, the author lives very close to where I run an after-school math and reading program - Kumon Math and Reading Center of Foothill Ranch. I contacted Shoumi to see if she would be interested in coming to read the book to our kids around Holi time and she was on board, without any hesitation! With the book, I thought of adding performing arts integration and invited a local Kathak teacher/friend - Smita Alves of Bhakti Bhav Dance Studio to collaborate with Shoumi.Well, the magic was just beginning. The book lent itself to being performed to a center filled with moms, dads and their little darlings, some as young as 2! We all had a great time listening to the story as it gave us plenty to imagine and perform to.Get the book, preview it and share it with all! You will only spread the colors of happiness and generate clouds of curiosity!

A beautiful book to introduce the festival of Holi to toddlers and preschoolers (and their parents too...). I love the clarity with which the symbolism as well as the acts of celebration are described. Even better, there's enough in there to hold a 2-yr old's attention, as well as little details that she will appreciate only when she is older. Right now, my toddler points out 'this is Riya' throughout the book, understands that it's something to do about throwing colour around, and is especially fond of the page where little Riya is putting colour on her mother's face. This coming Holi would be a good time for us too to start celebrating this at home. Shoumi, we're looking forward to more of the books in this series !

Review from my 9 year old:This a very nice book. It tells you in a very "flowing way" about why Holi is a festival. Some books are very boring and just have a bunch of facts, but in this book the words flow together and make the book very interesting. This book invites you in and makes you think you are playing Holi with Riya. For example, the first sentence says "If we haven't met before, let's get introduced already....".I really loved the book because of the way how the words rhyme. The illustrations in the book are also very colorful just the way Holi is.Review from my 2 year old -It was a lovely experience reading this book to my 2 year old. The best part about it are the rhyming words. It makes reading so much fun, especially for little ones. And needless to say, the colors attract the attention of the little one. The content is very well portrayed. It explains the traditional aspect of Holi and right away links it to modern context. So this book has everything - the "flowing style" as my older one said, the colors, and then content that is just not a bunch of facts but a nicely weaved story that is contextualized in modern life. Must have for your rack. Something that you can retrieve year after year and refresh your kids' memories of the festival before the festival actually arrives.Shoumi, would be waiting for Diwali next!

A vibrant book for the little ones. I'm constantly looking for children's books that describe the myriad Indian festivals and cultures and this book does not disappoint. Easy rhymes, wonderful illustrations, informative and full of color! My children are already awaiting Riya's next adventure.

This was an awesome book to read with my girls and introduce them to other cultures. They loved the journey the traditions of Holi, the food and the colors and couldn't wait the try out the colored powders we bought with the book.

Thank you so much Shoumi for this book. My 8 year old loved it, more so cause the little girl looks like her, you look like her. She now wants to become a writer. You've inspired her. As we live in the US, I hardly teach her anything about India, and this gave her a glimpse into a culture that is hers but not so much because we dont' live there. Thanks for inspiring her and for educating her.

Got this wonderful book for my kids (6 & 4). They enjoyed the first book (celebrate Durga puja) and totally loved the continuity of the character Riya how she learns abt Holi, its story and how it is celebrated. The illustrations are just wonderful. Just a great book in time for Holi

This is such a great book which explains the significance of Holi in such a colorful, fun way!! My boys were totally enthralled by the history of Holi:)Beautifully illustrated and very well written!!!