A Vaisakhi to Remember

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.)