Kirkus Review
It's Diwali, the Hindu festival of lights! This book begins when a mother wakes up her child on Diwali morning to help with preparations for this popular holiday. In the following pages, two children engage in traditional activities like cleaning the house, stringing lights up along the eaves outside, and hanging lanterns inside the house. Some of the activities are adjusted for a Western setting: For example, the family draws rangoli on their walk using what appears to be sidewalk chalk instead of the colorful powders traditionally used in India, an adjustment that will be familiar to Hindu families living in the United States. After they're done cleaning and decorating, the whole family works together to cook dishes like puris and channa masala. After changing into their traditional finery, the family greets their guests, whose skin tones, hair textures, and chosen greetings imply that they come from a variety of linguistic and ethnic backgrounds. The night ends with storytelling, gifts, and sparklers, and a good time is had by all. This book's greatest strength is its recognition of the fact that Hindu families of various backgrounds celebrate Diwali in different ways, clarifying that the activities in the story are only a sample of traditions that families practice during this holiday. The pictures are bright and cheery, and the language is clear and easy to read. (This book was reviewed digitally.) A buoyant introduction to Diwali that acknowledges the diversity of Hindu traditions. (Picture book. 2-5) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Booklist Review
Diwali is the Hindu festival of lights that is widely celebrated in India and among the Hindu diaspora. As explained in the back matter, it is "the celebration of good triumphing over evil, knowledge over ignorance, and light over darkness." This book provides a basic description of how a family might start their day preparing for this special day and, eventually, sharing it with friends and neighbors. Crisp, colorful watercolor illustrations add substance to the text, depicting all members of the family cleaning the house, hanging up the lights, painting rangoli on the sidewalk, and cooking traditional foods. After that, it's time to dress up and welcome guests. No celebration is complete without presents, and Diwali is no exception. This should be included among sets of books about all manner of cultural and religious celebrations. Recipes for sweet and savory treats at the end are a nice bonus.
