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It’s a perfect day for flying kites
as Farmer Falgu and his daughter, Eila, make their way to the fairgrounds for
the annual kite festival.
Father and daughter load their ox
cart with a spool of thread, four kites, some lunch, and a box of odds and
ends; Eila sits behind Farmer Falgu on the cart and holds up her large green
kite. The wind blows gently at first, but with a sudden “WHOOOSH!” it carries
Eila’s kite away. Farmer Falgu reassures his disappointed daughter, suggesting
that she choose another kite to fly. Along the way, Eila and her father meet
Ahmed the balloon seller and then Pushpa the fortuneteller, who are also on
their way to the fair. “WHOOOSH!” goes the wind each time, carrying each of
their kites away as well. Despite the strong wind, however, Farmer Falgu is
confident that they will have kites to fly at the festival, and with a little
ingenuity they eventually have “the best in the sky!” Soundar’s straightforward
narrative and Nair’s bright, cheerful illustrations are accompanied by artful
typography that conveys emotions and movement. A note about the International Kite
Festival in Rajasthan, India, at the end of the book will provide readers with
context for this story.
Captures the spirit and vibrancy of
this fun North Indian festival. (Picture book. 3-6)
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