A new picture book from Simran Jeet Singh, A Vaisakhi to Remember celebrates community and heritage as a young girl looks for points of connection in a new country through the joyous Sikh spring harvest holiday of Vaisakhi.
In our village, the best day of all was Vaisakhi, the spring harvest festival . . .
When a Sikh family moves from their village in India to a faraway city on the other side of the world, a girl yearns for her grandmother's hugs, her goat Ramu, and the lush fields filled with yellow flowers and wheat. How will they celebrate Vaisakhi in her new and unfamiliar surroundings?
But the girl soon discovers soothing touchstones—a special outfit, a trip to gurdwara, delicious food, and new friends—that make gathering for Vaisakhi still the best day of all.
With gorgeous, intricate illustrations by debut children’s book illustrator Japneet Kaur, this touching story from Simran Jeet Singh shows us that while life changes, home is where we build community and carry traditions forward.
Praise for A Vaisakhi to Remember by Simran Jeet Singh; Illustrated by Japneet Kaur:
"Kaur’s dense, jewel-like watercolor illustrations expand moments beyond Jeet Singh’s bustling text, leaning into group scenes and linking celebrations." —Publishers Weekly
"A heartfelt story of home, tradition, and continuity." —Booklist
“This tender story encapsulates the conflicting emotions that often accompany a move. An empathetic tale that speaks to the complex feelings inherent to undergoing big change.” —Kirkus Reviews
"A beautiful picture book about a family’s honoring the evolution of traditions." —The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books
“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.” — The Horn Book
Dr. Simran Jeet Singh is the author of the national bestseller, The Light We Give: How Sikh Wisdom Can Transform Your Life (Riverhead) and two children’s books, Fauja Singh Keeps Going and A Vaisakhi to Remember (both Kokila). An assistant professor of interreligious histories at Union Theological Seminary, he is also senior advisor for the Aspen Institute’s Religion & Society Program, host of the PRX podcast Wisdom & Practice, a contributor to TIME, and a columnist for Religion News Service. He lives in New York City with his family.
View titles by Simran Jeet Singh
A new picture book from Simran Jeet Singh, A Vaisakhi to Remember celebrates community and heritage as a young girl looks for points of connection in a new country through the joyous Sikh spring harvest holiday of Vaisakhi.
In our village, the best day of all was Vaisakhi, the spring harvest festival . . .
When a Sikh family moves from their village in India to a faraway city on the other side of the world, a girl yearns for her grandmother's hugs, her goat Ramu, and the lush fields filled with yellow flowers and wheat. How will they celebrate Vaisakhi in her new and unfamiliar surroundings?
But the girl soon discovers soothing touchstones—a special outfit, a trip to gurdwara, delicious food, and new friends—that make gathering for Vaisakhi still the best day of all.
With gorgeous, intricate illustrations by debut children’s book illustrator Japneet Kaur, this touching story from Simran Jeet Singh shows us that while life changes, home is where we build community and carry traditions forward.
Praise
Praise for A Vaisakhi to Remember by Simran Jeet Singh; Illustrated by Japneet Kaur:
"Kaur’s dense, jewel-like watercolor illustrations expand moments beyond Jeet Singh’s bustling text, leaning into group scenes and linking celebrations." —Publishers Weekly
"A heartfelt story of home, tradition, and continuity." —Booklist
“This tender story encapsulates the conflicting emotions that often accompany a move. An empathetic tale that speaks to the complex feelings inherent to undergoing big change.” —Kirkus Reviews
"A beautiful picture book about a family’s honoring the evolution of traditions." —The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books
“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.” — The Horn Book
Dr. Simran Jeet Singh is the author of the national bestseller, The Light We Give: How Sikh Wisdom Can Transform Your Life (Riverhead) and two children’s books, Fauja Singh Keeps Going and A Vaisakhi to Remember (both Kokila). An assistant professor of interreligious histories at Union Theological Seminary, he is also senior advisor for the Aspen Institute’s Religion & Society Program, host of the PRX podcast Wisdom & Practice, a contributor to TIME, and a columnist for Religion News Service. He lives in New York City with his family.
View titles by Simran Jeet Singh
