4 Gorgeous Picture Books for Children Celebrating Diwali, the Festival of Lights

As a mother of two, I wanted them to share in the joy of Diwali like I did when I was young. The gorgeous decorations, the picture-perfect food, the friends and family that we’d celebrate with, perhaps over a sparkler or two and the meaning behind it all — I wanted to immerse them in all of this. In true bookworm fashion, there’s nothing better than literature to warm them up, get them excited in the anticipation of the coming days, marked by the triumph of good over evil, aptly titled the festival of lights or simply ‘Diwali’. Diwali, celebrated by millions globally come together over diyas (small clay pot candles), the magical art of rangoli, glittering sweets bathing in coloured sugar and of course red envelopes and miniature deities.

Over a special storytime session with their school friends, I introduced them to Diwali over four of these visually captivating stories. I share these here in the hope that they might spark a young love for the festival for children who’ll be celebrating all over.

THE DIWALI GIFT BY SHWETA CHOPRA AND SHUCHI MEHTA

Three delightful monkeys take centre stage as they delve into the mystery of the Diwali gift that they happen to find. Through their eyes, young readers explore the divine Hindu Gods and the traditions of the…