Here Comes Holi: The Festival of Colors [Hardcover]

Meenal Atul Pandya (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 6 and up | Grade Level: 1 and up

Holi, one of the most colorful festivals celebrated through out India to welcome spring, is associated with many stories and tales. The story of Prahlad is, however, the most closely linked mythological story about Holi.

Here Comes Holi: The Festival of Colors is the story of a young prince Prahlad and his evil father King Hirnakasypu. The story as told to a boy in modern India, brings out the fun and festivity of Holi with its mythical significance.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

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, VA
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.

About the Author

Meenal Pandya has written several books including Here Comes Diwali and Pick a Pretty Indian Name for Your Baby. Her writings have appeared in many prestigious magazines and journals around the world.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 6 and up
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: MeeRa Publications (March 1, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0963553941
• ISBN-13: 978-0963553942
• Product Dimensions: 11.1 x 10.9 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,035,555 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #4 in Books > Children's Books > Religions > Hinduism

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A most engaging and enjoyable storybook, June 10, 2003

By 

Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Here Comes Holi: The Festival of Colors (Hardcover)

Written and illustrated by Meenal Pandya, Here Comes Holi: The Festival Of Colors retells the ancient East Indian folklore story about the young Prince Prahlad who dared to stand against his powerful and evil father King Hirnakasypu. This struggle of good and evil is associated with the annual festival of Holi that is celebrated throughout India today to welcome the spring. Vibrant color illustrations fully enhance this timeless adventure. Ideal for inclusion in school and community library multicultural picture book and folklore collections, Here Comes Holi: The Festival Of Colors is specially commended as being a most engaging and enjoyable storybook for young people everywhere.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Here Comes Holi; The Festival of Colors is a Wonderful Child's Book, July 22, 2007

By 

Diana Rohini LaVigne "Online Editor, Indianl... (San Francisco, CA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Here Comes Holi: The Festival of Colors (Hardcover)

Title: Here Comes Holi; The Festival of Colors
Author: Meenal Pandya
Publisher: MeeRa Publications
ISBN: 0-9635539-3-3
Review By: Diana Rohini LaVigne, Indian Life & Style Magazine

Here Comes Holi is a modern-day story telling of an ancient and important story. Children and adults alike will enjoy reading this colorful and easy-to-read book and get a deeper understanding of one of Hindus most celebrated holidays in the calendar year.

The colors, the illustrations and the well-worded text come together to form a beautiful introduction for children to learn more about Holi. Towards the back of the book, the author has put a quick-reference glossary and a short piece on how Holi is celebrated. These two parts are a beautiful addition to the story. `Here Comes Holi'
gives the spirit of the festival and is a great book for any child's bookshelf.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Good story on Prahlad, February 26, 2009

By 

S. Gupta - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Here Comes Holi: The Festival of Colors (Hardcover)

I ordered this book expecting a simple story on the playfulness of Holi for kids...the colours of Gulaal, splash of Pichkari , and the fun of singing songs. I was disappointed because it went in great detail describing the Prahlad Holika story, the cover page is quite misleading in that way. Not sure if there is a need to have books on the Prahlad story especially when there are other titles for childrens books available on that subject. Sadly, I had to return it.