Holi Hai!
What’s inside...
Soundar's book provides an excellent introduction to the Hindu festival of Holi, highlighting its significance and incorporating a touching story about love and forgiveness. The narrative follows Gauri, who is eager to celebrate by splashing colors but becomes upset when she doesn't get her favorite color. Throughout the story, Gauri learns to manage her emotions and ultimately joins in the joyous festivities, making it a perfect read for both personal reflection and family sharing.
Discussion points
What colors did you see in the book 'Holi Hai!' and how did they make you feel?
Holi is a festival of colors, what does celebrating with colors symbolize to you?
How do you think the characters felt during the Holi celebrations?
Can you think of other occasions where we celebrate with colors or decorations?
What new thing did you learn about Holi and its traditions from this book?
Tip: Role play these questions
While discussing the book, show enthusiasm and curiosity about the festival of Holi, helping your child connect emotionally with the story.
Use the illustrations in the book to point out various elements of the Holi celebration to make the conversation visually stimulating.
Relate the theme of Holi to your child’s experiences with colors, such as drawing or playing with colored toys, to make the conversation relevant.
Encourage your child to describe their favorite part of the book, and share your favorite part as well to foster a mutual exchange of thoughts.
Consider creating a small, hands-on Holi celebration with safe, washable colors to bring the story to life and deepen the impact of the learning experience.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Embracing Cultural Diversity
Explanation: The book 'Holi Hai!' revolves around a vibrant celebration of the Holi festival, a popular Hindu festival known for its spirited display of colors and unity. It introduces children to different cultural practices and the significance of embracing and respecting them.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to appreciate and participate in various cultural events in their community, promoting inclusiveness and respect for diverse traditions.
Example Lesson: Importance of Forgiveness
Explanation: Through the playful interactions of characters during the Holi festival, where they smear color on each other, the story illustrates the theme of forgiveness, as any small mischiefs are laughed off and forgiven easily.
Real-World Application: This lesson teaches children to let go of minor grievances in their daily interactions with friends and family, fostering a forgiving and cheerful demeanor.
Example Lesson: Joy of Sharing
Explanation: As characters in 'Holi Hai!' share colors, sweets, and moments of joy, the book portrays the importance of sharing in enhancing communal harmony and happiness.
Real-World Application: Children are encouraged to share their possessions and joys with others, which can lead to better friendship bonds and a happier community.
Example Lesson: Value of Friendship
Explanation: The interactions among the characters during the festival highlight the strength and comfort of friendships. It shows how friends can come together to enjoy and celebrate life’s moments.
Real-World Application: This can remind children to cherish and invest in their friendships, encouraging them to participate actively in their friends' lives and celebrations.