Here Comes Holi: The Festival of Colors
Kindergarten-Grade 3-In this story within a story, a mother tells her child and several of the child's friends the ancient tale behind the Hindu celebration of Holi. This faithful if prosaic retelling recounts how the evil King Hirnakasyapu tried to kill his son Prahlad because he had acknowledged God Vishnu rather than the king as "the strongest in the whole world." Ultimately, it was not the prince who died, but his father and his aunt, after whom the festival is named. Notes about Holi and a glossary round out the work; it is unfortunate that this information was not worked into the text. The dull format features undistinguished, impressionistic illustrations, generally pastel watercolors on textured paper, that cover the entire left page of each spread. Only libraries serving large Asian Indian populations will want to consider this title.Diane S. Marton, Arlington County Library, VACopyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.