Happy Diwali!

by Sanyukta Mathur, Courtney Pippin-Mathur, Courtney Pippin-Mathur (Illustrator)

Overview

A radiant picture book celebration of Diwali, the Hindu festival of lights. For readers who enjoy the Celebrate the World board books.

This joyful family story follows a little girl from dawn to dusk as she draws rangolis to welcome guests, prepares food with her family including pani puri and chana masala, dresses up in colorful clothing, participates in the puja, and lights the diyas in honor of Diwali: the Hindu festival of lights. Excitement, history, and traditions abound in this vibrant celebration of Diwali, complete with a glossary, and delicious recipes for mango lassi, sukhe aloo, and puri.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781250257468
Publisher:	Henry Holt and Co. (BYR)
Publication date:	11/16/2021
Pages:	40
Product dimensions:	10.10(w) x 8.10(h) x 0.50(d)
Lexile:	AD510L (what's this?)
Age Range:	4 - 8 Years

About the Author

Sanyukta Mathur is a social scientist and studies how to improve the health and well-being of young people around the world. She is the author of Happy Diwali! She lives in Maryland with her family.

Courtney Pippin-Mathur is the author-illustrator of Maya Was Grumpy and Dragons Rule, Princesses Drool!, which Booklist praised as “a delight from start to finish, and its empowering conclusion is a welcome bonus.” She lives in Alexandria, Virginia. She is hugely grateful to be part of a diverse and welcoming family who work hard to bring their traditions to the United States and to pass them to new generations.

Courtney Pippin-Mathur is the author-illustrator of Maya Was Grumpy and Dragons Rule, Princesses Drool!, which Booklist praised as “a delight from start to finish, and its empowering conclusion is a welcome bonus.” She lives in Alexandria, Virginia. She is hugely grateful to be part of a diverse and welcoming family who work hard to bring their traditions to the United States and to pass them to new generations.

Editorial Reviews

"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. A buoyant introduction to Diwali that acknowledges the diversity of Hindu traditions." —Kirkus Reviews

From the Publisher

2021-07-14
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)

Kirkus Reviews