MY VESAK

Kumari’s picture book teaches young readers about a global Buddhist holiday.

This primer offers an introduction to Buddhism, the religious festival of Vesak, and the life story of the Buddha—a prince born in current Nepal more than 2,500 years ago. Originally named Siddhartha, the boy eventually eschewed all privileges in order to devote himself to exploring the meaning of life; his better-known name, the Buddha, means “The Enlightened One.” The text offers a walk through the religion he founded and its most important celebration, Vesak, a worldwide, monthlong holiday that takes place in the spring. The book explains that start dates in different countries vary according to the lunar calendar, and that the event honors the Buddha’s birth, enlightenment, and death. There are engaging details here, regarding such things as the Buddhist flag and its meaning, temple offerings, and the symbology of the lotus. Dubey’s illustrations offer sweetly designed watercolors, which effectively break up the informative text blocks. They also highlight subtle differences in various international celebrations and showcase beautiful decorations in Myanmar, South Korea, Singapore, and India, among other countries. Also included is a mantra recited on Vesak, and additional information in the back matter.

A celebration and appreciation of Buddhism that may resonate with a wide audience.