Festival of Colors: Holi: Databases

Use WorldBook Kids for grades K+ 

This article about Holi contains pictures and can be translated into Spanish and French. Students with a higher reading level or with more interest can access the WorldBook Student option from this page, which contains more detail about the festival.

Students can double-click on words for definitions as well as listen to the read-aloud of the text.

At a slightly higher reading level that the Kids version, WorldBook Student contains all the same features like definitions, translations, and read-aloud. It also provides links to related topics like Feasts & Festivals and Hinduism.

WorldBook Advanced offers a similar variety of articles on Holi and related information like Hinduism and India, while also providing ways to explore topics. The Related Information tab on each article brings up related beliefs & customs, biographies, deities, festivals, places, writings, and more. 

Students can also save articles to the My Research area and even organize this area by project. 

Do a search for Holi to find resources for grades 3+ (the majority of articles are in the 5-7th grade range). Find articles from educational magazines like The Mini Page, The Week Jr, and Robin Age. Or, browse Robin Age and Robin Age Jr. for resources from India in English!

Between the Jr. version and the regular version, Robin Age is appropriate for readers K - 8. Robin Age is also a browseable magazine, meaning students - and teachers - can flip through the pages digitally, instead of just seeing individual articles. Try the 2021 March issue for older readers and for younger readers.  

Search and browse Access World News for original articles on difficult moments in Indian-American history such as:

• the United States v. Bhagat Singh Thind Supreme Court case of 1907 officially ruled Indians were not considered white and therefore ineligible for American citizenship
  • Thind was often referred to as Hindu despite being Sikh
  • Citizenship was revoked despite Thind and other Indian-Americans service to the USA during World War I
  • Read more about Thind here from the National Park Service
• news coverage of the domestic hate group who terrorized Indian-Americans in 1980s New Jersey
  • "Asian Indians Plan Protest March Against Official Apathy" (1987)
  • "Racism in Jersey City: Hindus Under Attack" (1987)
  • "Two Arrested in Attacks on Hindus" (1988)
  • "Asian Indians Reflect..." (2022)
  • "Ignorance Still Fuels Hate..." (2022)
  • "Indian Residents Reflect on Protesting Violence" (2022)
• the controversial portrayal of Hindus in American textbooks
  • "Religion, Textbook Dispute Rekindled" (2007)
  • "Hindu Americans Make Strides in Improving California Textbooks" (2016)
  • "Indian-American Unhappy with Negative Portrayals" (2017)

"Learn all about Holi, the Indian Festival of Colors, in this lush picture book from bestselling mother/son duo Surishtha Sehgal and Kabir Sehgal.

Spring is here, and it’s almost time for Holi, the Indian Festival of Colors. Siblings Mintoo and Chintoo are busy gathering flowers to make into colorful powders to toss during the festival. And when at last the big day comes, they gather with their friends, family, and neighbors for a vibrant celebration of fresh starts, friendship, forgiveness, and, of course, fun!" (Grades PK-2) ; Lexile 290L ; ATOS 1.9)

"Holi – the Hindu Festival of Colors – heralds the coming of spring. This vibrant title explores the ancient history and modern practices of this joyful holiday. Holi’s food, dance, music, and colors will captivate young readers.

Photo labels visually define glossary terms and other important words. Maps highlight the places where the holidays began or are celebrated the most. "How to Say" sidebars introduce cultural words and offer pronunciations. Activity pages invite further learning about holiday traditions (recipes, crafts, etc.)." (Grades 1-3; Lexile 550L; ATOS 2.4)

Award-winning title Holi Colors is a "color concept board book" with "rhyming text describes the colors in terms connected to the natural world—marigold orange, sunset red, peacock blue, tree green—while shining photographs show young children and families participating in a colorful Holi celebration, which includes tossing colored powders." (Grades PK-1; Lexile 390L)

"Celebrate the Hindu festival of colors.

Gauri is excited to splash colors on everyone for Holi. But when she doesn't get her favorite color, Gauri gets mad. Will she find a way to overcome her anger and join in the festivities?" (Grades PK-3; Lexile 560L; ATOS 3.4)

"Mina feels embarrassed by her grandfather's old-fashioned ideas and customs, but when she overhears the most popular girl in school making fun of him, Mina is hurt and seeks revenge." (Grades 4-8)