A colourful cultural book? With an actual plot? And instructions on the back on how to make and fly a kite? I’m loving this. I love a crafty book, I love a book that has a lighthearted plot and fun, bright art. This hits a lot of marks for me because this is the kind of book I would quite happily give one of my godkids to read.

Kai Po Che: Mini’s Perfect Kite is a heartwarming tale that follows Mini as she dreams of flying her first kite during the vibrant Makar Sankranti festival. Though her older brother insists she’s too little to join, she determines otherwise. With determination, and a spark of creativity, she designs a kite of her own. Even though her creation may not be as polished as the others soaring int he sky, she’s proud of her creation as it flies amongst the other diamonds. But when a rival kite threatens to cut her brother’s kite string, it’s Mini who steps up, showing not just courage but the importance of family and teamwork.

This beautifully written story is brought to life with vivid illustrations and engaging characters, making it an enjoyable read for children and adults, alike. Themes of sibling bonds and cultural traditions shine in this story, while introducing readers to STEAM concepts.

Back matter includes additional information on the Makar Sankranti festival - offering a glimpse into its rich cultural significance. Back matter also explores the magical science of flying a kite, and the math concepts found in the design and flight of kites.

Perfect for classrooms or home libraries, this story will inspire readers to embrace their own creativity and craft their own kites to fly! Thank you to Gnome Road Publishing for an ARC of this beautiful book.

This book will fly off the shelves when released by Gnome Road Publishing in 2025. The main character Mini, fully invested in being an integral part of the Makar Sankranti, the Indian festival of kites. Mini is a lovable artistic girl who does not let disappointment keep her from chasing her dreams. Gupta's book is a work of art from the cover to the endpapers. The text has heart that speaks to all kids who strive to reach their goals of any kind. Readers will see that efforts do not need to be perfect in order to be effective and fun.

I highly recommend Gupta's book for homes, classrooms, as well as for school and public library story times. A great many kids will rejoice when they see themselves on the pages of KAI PO CHE. Others will glean a sparkly diamond understanding of the Indian cultural event.

Kai Po Che is a beautifully rendered children's book sharing a tradition from Indian culture, an Indian kite festival. A brother and sister work together, showing some sibling banter and depicting growth and companionship. The artwork is stunning. In the back of the book, the story is elevated by showing the science of kites and some interesting facts about them.

I thought that this story was excellent and it highlights Sankranti - the Indian festival of kites

The story is well written, it is easy to read and follow and really enjoyable, I loved the flow to the story and the characters were great..

I thought that the illustrations in the book were great - they were bright, vibrant and really captured the essence of the story.

This book would be a great addition to the library of any Primary School to help the children learn about the customs and traditions of other cultures.

It is 5 stars from me for this one - very highly recommended!

Mini’s older brother has told her that kite flying is not for girls. Mini, being a strong and determined girl wants to prove him wrong. That she does and she ends her kite flying in triumph when she cuts the string of another kite, who has taken out other kites in the sky.
I love that Mini is learning that girls should not be strapped with societal norms that girls are not allowed or able to engage in boys activities. She showed great determination and in the end, she won the ultimate prize. Her dignity and respect from her older brother and others. Go girls, the sky is the limit. Keep dreaming
The illustrations were also deep in color and beautiful. The book flowed easily and would be a wonderful addition to any library

I actually really liked this book! There was a well-written plot that moved at a good pace. This allowed the emotions of the story and the central ideas to shine through, to their full potential. Essentially, in this story Mini learns how to fly a kite with the help of her older brother, and then she demonstrates kindness by giving her brother a gift to thank him for his help. It's was a very smart idea for the author to make the main character so smart and kind, so that young readers that can draw inspiration from her, and mirror her in their own lives.
Additionally, the illustrations accurately captured the characters' emotions, and the beauty of the Festival of Kites. It's very clear to the readers the wonder of the Festival and Mini's emotions surrounding it and the events that are happening in the book. Even further, the story was so fun! I learned a little bit about this holiday that I didn't know about before reading this book. This book will be perfect for kids everywhere, either to relate to this celebration, or to learn about something they aren't very familiar with.
Bravo!