Review by Booklist Review
All over the world, members of the Sikh community celebrate the abundance of spring and the birth of their spiritual leader, Guru Nanak, on a holiday called Vaisakhi. In this lush, colorful story, a girl reminisces about being back in her village in India, where "the best day of all was Vaisakhi." When the harvest has been good, people come together to sing, dance, eat, and give thanks. A vibrant watercolor palette renders the festivities of this day in great detail as the protagonist takes readers on a nostalgic journey from resplendence in India to gray homesickness of a new place devoid of all those distant wonders. The family piles into its car and drives to the gurdwara to celebrate Vaisakhi with its new community in the diaspora. The child realizes that all the cultural traditions have been recreated in this new home, where there are friends to be made, parathas to be shared, and sweet pistachio kulfi to be relished. A heartfelt story of home, tradition, and continuity. Recipes for three kinds of lassi provide an added treat.
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
A kaleidoscope of events and perceptions swirl around a young protagonist on Vaisahki, the Sikh spring harvest festival, in this telling that occurs partially in memory. The narrator first recalls awakening in a field to the nudging of a goat and the sounds of peacocks calling. Arriving to the village on "the best day of all," the child remembers "everyone joining, dancing together" to celebrate harvest as well as preparing foods and listening to "stories of hope and renewal and heroes." But now, living in a big city where small flowers, not harvest, represent spring ("No green fields. No pet goats"), the narrator wonders how the family will celebrate. Kaur's dense, jewel-like watercolor illustrations expand moments beyond Jeet Singh's bustling text, leaning into group scenes and linking celebrations: "new friends and shared memories, with old foods and new games." Characters are portrayed with various skin tones. An author's note and recipe conclude. Ages 4--8. (Mar.)
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Review by School Library Journal Review
Gr 1--3--A girl describes the Vaisakhi celebration of her home, from the sights and sounds to the tastes and memories filled with loved ones. When the girl moves, she is upset, but her parents show her how even if things change, traditions and celebrations can carry on. Singh has created an excellent story showcasing holiday not often represented in picture books. The text is easy to see and read, bringing life to the Vaisakhi festival; while there is a good amount of Punjabi vocabulary used to tell the story, the meaning of the words can be identified through context clues, and even if not fully understood, do not detract from the overall message. Kaur's gorgeous illustrations also bring the holiday to life and help provide a window into Vaisakhi, as well as some more context for Punjabi words. Readers will find themselves discovering something new every time they read. Singh and Kaur have created a wonderful story that shares how traditions and celebrations are portable, no matter where we are. VERDICT An excellent window into Sikh culture and a great lesson on how traditions can carry on even if you move.--Margaret Kennelly
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Review by Horn Book Review
A young Sikh girl celebrates the spring festival of Vaisakhi surrounded by her loving family, furry friends, and community. She wakes up to the morning sun and a few nudges from her pet goat and joins the festive crowd making its way to gurudwara where her Punjabi village prepares a communal feast and worships together. Her grandmother regales her with stories of family, farming, and the religious teachings of Sikh gurus that strengthen her faith. When the girl's family moves to a city in a new country, she carries memories of celebrating Vaisakhi and of her grandmother. At the local gurudwara, she and her parents join others in prayer and help in the kitchen. When a friendly face invites her to play, the girl begins to feel part of her new community. Beautiful watercolor illustrations present a tapestry of village life in a kaleidoscope of rich colors and patterns in this joyful story of celebrating Sikh culture and carrying on traditions. An author's note and a lassi recipe are appended. Sadaf SiddiqueMay/June 2025 p.73 (c) Copyright The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Kirkus Book Review
After a Punjabi family moves from their village to a big city, its youngest member worries that the upcoming Vaisakhi celebration won't be the same. The unnamed child, who narrates, loved the harvest festival; it was an opportunity to dance, feast, exchange stories, and bond with relatives. But the family's new home feels worlds away from their old one: "No green fields. No pet goats. No Nani's breakfast paronthas." (Though the author doesn't state where they've moved to, images of cardinals and Canada geese suggest a North American setting.) As the holiday approaches, the youngster wonders: "How will we celebrate here in our new home?" To the protagonist's surprise, the local gurdwara, or Sikh place of worship, hosts a Vaisakhi celebration featuring music and foods that echo the youngster's memories of home. Things aren't exactly the same; the child longs for Punjab, with its "fields filled with yellow flowers," and the aloo paronthas at the gurdwara are "delicious but not as good as Nani's." Still, the youngster feels hopeful about a new life full of joy and laughter. This tender story encapsulates the conflicting emotions that often accompany a move; Singh encourages readers to embrace change while acknowledging the inevitable feelings of grief. Though the hectic illustrations sometimes make it difficult to discern details, they capture the loving chaos of the protagonist's old and new lives. An empathetic tale that speaks to the complex feelings inherent to undergoing big change. (author's note)(Picture book. 4-8) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
