cover image Holi Colors

Holi Colors

Rina Singh. Orca, $9.95 (24p) ISBN 978-1-4598-1849-1

“My jaan, my life, my little one./ Let’s play holi. Let’s have fun!” So begins Singh’s tender tribute to the Hindu holiday of Holi, during which participants toss colorful powders on each other. Writing in the voice of a parent addressing a child, Singh uses the occasion to highlight five colors (“Lotus sent the sweetest pink./ Stole it from your cheeks, I think”), accompanied by intimate and appropriately vibrant photographs of Indian children and families throwing gulal powder, painting each other with color, laughing, and hugging. A closing note briefly describes Holi’s underpinnings, wrapping up a joyful hybrid of concept book, holiday title, and portrait of familial love. Up to age 3. (Feb.)