Holi is more than colours, water balloons and sweets. Holi books help children understand the meaning, history and traditions behind this vibrant festival. If you are looking for age-appropriate Holi books for kids, here are five bright reads that blend storytelling with cultural learning. From picture books for early readers to fact-filled guides for older children, this Holi book list covers ages 4 to 9+. These titles explain the legend of Prahlad, regional traditions, and the spirit of togetherness in a simple, engaging way.
Top 5 bright reads for Holi
1. Holi Hai! by Chitra Soundar (Age 4+)
A lively picture book that follows siblings as they prepare for Holi. Through playful storytelling, children see how families celebrate with colours, sweets and joy. Ideal for early readers who enjoy relatable family moments.
2. Amma, Tell Me About Holi! by Bhakti Mathur (Age 4+)
Part of the Amma Tell Me series, this book retells the legend of Prahlad and Holika through a warm grandparent-child conversation. It introduces the festival’s moral message in a gentle, age-appropriate way.
3. Holi, the Festival of Colors (Shalu) by Nick Sharma (Age 5+)
This story follows young Shalu as she learns about sharing, kindness and celebration during Holi. The book keeps the focus on values while explaining traditions in simple language.
4. Why do we celebrate HOLI by Anitha Rathod (Age 7+)
This book is about a young girl, Preeti, who learns the story behind Holi from her Grandmother and celebrates the festival with her friends & family.
5. Let’s Celebrate Holi! by Vivek Kumar, Ajanta Chakraborty & Janelle Diller (Age 8+)
A detailed introduction to Holi that covers the legend of Prahlad, traditional rituals, music, dance and festive foods. This book offers deeper cultural context for older readers ready to explore the festival beyond the basics.
6Also, get to know all about various festivals including holi and more with The Junior Age’s Festivals of India Flashcards!
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