A YEAR OF KITES

For almost 3,000 years, humans have flown kites in cultures across the globe.

Beginning in January and continuing throughout the year with the repeated phrase opener “Kites fly high,” each spread features a child from a different part of the world, highlighting the seasonal, cultural, and historical significance of kite-flying in that region. Bajaj’s buoyant text is peppered with fascinating historical facts. The introduction of a fictional character on each spread makes the work even more accessible to a young audience: In Gujarat, India, during the festival of Uttarayan, Asha launches her kite from a balcony, using its sharp string to cut other kites down. In Maui, Hawaiʻi, King Kamehameha once flew 100 kites all at once to honor the God of the Harvest. Ren’s digital illustrations depict doe-eyed cartoon youngsters and families flying intricate and colorful kites of all shapes and sizes amid vibrant ink wash landscapes. Characters are diverse in skin tone and clothing. Informative backmatter offers more context on the history of kites, a glossary, and a DIY kite tutorial, but blank world maps on the endpapers are a missed opportunity to geographically pinpoint the book’s featured locations.

A high-flying and illuminating celebration of kites, culture, and connection.