Book Review of Happy Songkran Day! The Thai New Year Celebration
The Children’s Book Review
Happy Songkran Day! The Thai New Year Celebration
Written and Illustrated by Dow Phumiruk
Ages: 3+ | 32 Pages
Publisher: Viking Books for Young Readers (2026) | ISBN: 9781984836014
What to Expect: Thai New Year Celebration, Holidays Around the World, and New Beginnings.
A young Thai American girl learns the art of slowing down just in time to fully embrace the joy, tradition, and forgiveness at the heart of Songkran, the Thai New Year celebrated every April 13th.
Tida has been counting down to Songkran Day all year long. The festivities ahead are everything she loves: cooking a special meal with family, visiting the temple, and—best of all—the legendary nationwide water celebration. However, she must work to contain her excitement long enough to get through each meaningful activity before the water festivities finally arrive. Of course, her excitement and eagerness keep getting in the way, causing a few dilemmas. With her family’s gentle guidance, Tida discovers that the spirit of forgiveness in the new year might be exactly what she needs most. Her story is a gentle reminder that the best moments are worth savoring, not rushing—and that a little water and forgiveness can wash away just about anything.
The emotional core of Dow Phumiruk’s story is sure to resonate with any child who has ever had to wait for the very best part of a day—the pacing mirrors Tida’s own journey: building, building, building toward a joyful, hard-earned release. Thai words are thoughtfully placed throughout the text, offering young readers a natural and welcoming entry into the language and culture without ever feeling like a vocabulary lesson.
Phumiruk’s illustrations, crafted using Photoshop and colored pencil, bring warmth and vibrancy to every page. The artwork carries a handmade tenderness that feels entirely in keeping with the story’s celebration of family and tradition. Readers lucky enough to have smelled jasmine, savored sizzling satay, or shrieked through a water fight will find those sensory memories rushing back — and those discovering these joys for the first time will want to seek them out.
Happy Songkran Day! is a sweet and splashy introduction to the Thai New Year — and yes, that pun is fully intended. It is a natural fit for preschool and kindergarten classrooms, multicultural storytime collections, and any family looking to broaden their celebration of holidays around the world.
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About the Author-Illustrator
Dow Phumiruk is a retired pediatrician who now works as a children’s book author and illustrator. Her numerous picture books include the award-winning Counting on Katherine by Helaine Becker and Maya Lin by Jean Walker-Harvey. She was born in Bangkok, Thailand, and now lives in Colorado with her husband and three daughters.
For more information, visit https://artbydow.myportfolio.com/
