Diwali Lights Read-Along

July 1, 2018

PreS-This gorgeous board book features photographs of adorable babies and toddlers experiencing the Diwali holiday in wide-eyed wonder, surrounded by the gentle love and affirmation of adults. Babies will love looking at the children's faces, and the bright colors and emotions portrayed will make this a favorite for repeated reading. The informative text emphasizes the love and wonder the children feel while presenting the basics of the celebration. The text does an excellent job balancing universal experiences with culturally specific ones, "My jaan, my life, it's Diwali today. Open your eyes and greet the day. Wear something new, then off to the market-there's so much to see, so much to do! Buy diyas, candles and paper lanterns." This book presents an age-appropriate view of the holiday from morning until night. Back matter includes more information about Diwali. VERDICT A first purchase for board book collections everywhere.-Anna Haase Krueger, Ramsey County Library, MN

Copyright 2018 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

January 1, 2019
Diwali, the festival of lights, is one of the largest Hindu festivals, and it's celebrated all around the world; this nonfiction board book presents its sights, sounds, and celebrations. Each page of brief, often rhyming text is paired with a vivid photograph depicting wide-eyed toddlers and young children of the Indian diaspora, with dark hair and skin of varying shades of brown. These photographs are the best feature of this book. The text, as narrated by an adult to a young child, talks about the various aspects of the Diwali celebration, including new clothes, prayers, henna, sweets, firecrackers. It occasionally reads awkwardly, and readers may have to hunt for rhymes: "Buy diyas, candles / and paper lanterns.// Henna for hands / and rangoli sand." With its focus on very young children, the book shows how Diwali is celebrated rather than why. However, notably absent is the holiday's important community aspect. And although there are multiple mentions of diyas, these beautiful clay lamps that are a highlight of this festival are neither depicted nor explained; neither are such other specialized vocabulary as "jaan" or "rangoli." A short note at the back of the book gives a smidge more information for older children. There are not many board books for very young kids on this topic, and this one is not everything it could have been.The photographs carry this board book even though the presentation and text disappoint. (Board book. 2-4)

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