The Many Colors of Harpreet Singh — Summary, Themes & Review

Plot summary: The Many Colors of Harpreet Singh by Supriya Kelkar, illustrated by Alea Marley, follows a young Sikh boy who uses the color of his patka to match his mood — yellow when he feels sunny, red when he’s brave, pink when he’s happy. When his family moves from Massachusetts to a small town in Iowa, Harpreet feels invisible and only wants to wear white. Then a girl named Abby smiles at him in the snow, and Harpreet starts to find the colors of belonging in a new place. A picture book about emotions, Sikh identity, and friendship for ages 3+.

As Sikh parents, finding children’s books that authentically represent our faith and culture can be challenging. “The Many Colors of Harpreet Singh” by Supriya Kelkar, beautifully illustrated by Alea Marley, is a gem that fills this gap perfectly.

A Story Close to Home

Harpreet Singh is a joyful young Sikh boy who wears his patka with immense pride. What makes this story special is how Harpreet uses the different colors of his patka to express his emotions - each color representing a different mood or feeling. This creative approach makes the story both relatable and engaging for young readers.

When Harpreet’s family moves from Massachusetts to a small, snowy town in Iowa, the whole world turns gray. Harpreet stops wearing his bright patkas and chooses white — the color of disappearing. The story’s quiet turning point comes when a classmate named Abby smiles at him in the snow, and slowly the colors return. Children who have moved, started a new school, or felt invisible will see themselves in this.

What Each Patka Color Means in the Story

In the book, Harpreet wears a different colored patka to match what he’s feeling. The color-to-emotion mapping is the heart of the story and gives children a vocabulary for feelings they can’t always name:

Color	What it stands for
Yellow	Joy and sunshine — Harpreet’s everyday happy color
Pink	Celebrations and special occasions
Red	Courage and bravery — for moments he needs to feel strong
Blue	Confidence — for big days like the first day at a new school
Gray	Sadness and uncertainty
White	At first, wanting to be invisible after the move — by the end of the book, a joyful reminder of the snow where he met his friend Abby

For parents and educators, this colour-emotion map is the most useful tool the book offers. Children who struggle to name what they feel can point to a colour and start the conversation from there.

Authentic Sikh Representation

One of the most remarkable aspects of this book is its authentic portrayal of Sikh identity. Both author Supriya Kelkar and illustrator Alea Marley have done exceptional work in representing Sikh culture with respect and accuracy. The illustrations perfectly capture the details of a Sikh boy’s appearance - from his joora (top bun) to his colorful patkas.

For young Sikh boys who wear patkas to school and may sometimes feel different, this book offers powerful representation. Seeing Harpreet wear his patka with pride and express himself confidently can be incredibly affirming for our children.

Educational and Emotional Value

The book successfully teaches children about being proud of their Sikh identity, particularly the significance of keeping hair uncut (one of the five Ks of Sikhism) and wearing a patka (turban). The story handles these concepts in an age-appropriate way that young children can easily understand.

What truly sets this book apart is its emotional depth. Children will connect with Harpreet’s feelings about moving, making friends, and finding where they belong. The clever use of colors to represent emotions provides an excellent tool for parents and teachers to discuss feelings with children.

Perfect for Young Readers

Designed for ages 3 and up, this 26-page picture book is ideal for children from JK to Grade 3. The simple yet meaningful text makes it perfect for both independent reading (for older children in the range) and read-aloud sessions with younger ones. The story flows beautifully and maintains children’s attention throughout.

Outstanding Illustrations

Alea Marley’s illustrations deserve special praise. Every page is visually stunning, with artwork that authentically represents Sikh families while being highly engaging for children. The diversity shown in the characters - including Harpreet’s new friends from different backgrounds - reflects the multicultural reality many of our children experience.

A Special Bonus

The book includes a thoughtful note from Dr. Simran Jeet Singh at the end, which explains Sikh religion and the significance of the turban in terms that young children can understand. This addition makes the book an excellent educational resource for both Sikh and non-Sikh families.

Discussion Questions for Sikh Families

Read these to your child after finishing the book — pick whichever fit their age and mood:

• What colour patka did Harpreet wear when he was happy? What about when he was sad?
• Why do you think Harpreet wanted to wear white when his family moved?
• Have you ever felt like Harpreet — like you wanted to be invisible? When?
• What does your patka or dastaar mean to you?
• Kesh (uncut hair) is one of the Five Kakars. Why do you think hair is important in our faith?
• How did Abby make Harpreet feel better? Have you ever helped someone feel less alone?
• If you could pick a colour for how you feel today, what would it be? Why?

Final Thoughts

“The Many Colors of Harpreet Singh” is more than just a children’s book - it’s a celebration of Sikh identity that will make our children feel seen, valued, and proud of who they are. In a world where representation matters more than ever, this book stands as a beacon of authentic storytelling.

The combination of beautiful storytelling, stunning illustrations, and meaningful cultural representation makes this a must-have for every Sikh family’s library. It’s also an excellent resource for schools and libraries looking to diversify their collections with authentic multicultural stories.

Highly recommended for: Sikh families, multicultural collections, discussions about identity and belonging, and anyone looking for a beautifully told story about friendship and self-acceptance.

This book is readily available for purchase and built to withstand repeated readings - which it will surely get, as children will want to return to Harpreet’s colorful world again and again.

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Related Resources

• Ajooni the Kaurageous — Another empowering picture book featuring a brave Sikh girl
• Why Sikhi Matters More Than Ever — A guide for parents on helping children navigate identity and belonging