Maya’s Holi by Thrity Umrigar. illus. by Kamala Nair. Scholastic. Jan. 2025. 40p. Tr $18.99. ISBN 9781338875553. 
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.-Heidi Dechief

Happy Holi!: Celebrating the Festival of Colors by Chitra Soundar. illus. by Amberin Huq. Bloomsbury. Feb. 2025. 32p. Tr $18.99. ISBN 9781547617111. ISBN 9781547617111. 
PreS-Gr 1–The same family of four introduced in Soundar and Huq’s Garland of Lights: A Diwali Story shares the delights of Holi with young readers. Rhyming couplets relate the traditions of the annual kickoff to spring. Setting their home and neighborhood to rights, plucking petals from flowers to create colorful dyes, and creating delicious treats, the family works together to usher in the new season. On the evening before the main day of celebration, folks gather sticks for a bonfire, where they sit and share stories. Of special appeal to children, the cheerful illustrations were digitally drawn using bold hues, except for two pages featuring the bonfire, which appears in a surprising and eye-catching black and white. On the day of Rangwali Holi, or Colorful Holi, the dyes are playfully splashed and sprayed on everyone’s clothing, body, and hair in a colorful welcoming gesture to spring. Some family friends are clearly not of southeast Asian origin but also take part in the festivities. Information about the festival and a glossary are included at the tale’s end to enhance reader understanding. VERDICT A charming celebration of a joyful Hindu holiday.-Maryann H. Owen

[Read: 4 Books To Introduce Holi to The Littlest Readers]

It’s Holi! by Sanyukta Mathur. illus. by ­Courtney Pippin-Mathur. Holt. Feb. 2024. 40p. Tr $18.99. ISBN 9781250903037. ISBN 9781250903037. 
PreS-K–A family prepares for their Holi celebration by dressing in white, making delicious treats, and assembling water balloons and colored powders. One little family member confesses that although he loves colors, he is afraid of getting the powders in his eyes. A pair of swim goggles frees him to enjoy the festivities with enthusiasm. Thick outlines and vivid colors create a cheerful, celebratory vibe. The narration consists of no more than one or two sentences per page and makes use of a few Hindi words. Back matter includes an introduction to Holi, a glossary, a recipe, and instructions for making Holi powders. VERDICT A helpful preschool read-aloud to introduce the holiday, or to soothe kids who get nervous when group play has the potential for mess and chaos.-Rachel Owens