Diwali

by Sital Gorasia Chapman, Darshika Varma (illustrator)

Discover the joy and meaning of the magical festival of Diwali, a very special time for people all around the world.

Sonali and her brother Jay are inviting you to celebrate with them! Join in as they make rangoli patterns, cook up a feast with their nani and nana, and visit all their friends and family with gifts and delicious treats.

Along the way, you’ll learn how Diwali is a fun five-day celebration, all about the victory of light over darkness, good over evil, and knowledge over ignorance.

This bright, engaging, and heart-warming book
  The preparations on Dhanteras The cooking and baking on Kali Chaudas The delicious feast and fireworks on Diwali The special breakfast and gifts on Nutan Varsh The celebration of the bond between brothers and sisters on Bhai Beej

…and the joy and excitement of this spectacular festival are brought to life
  A salt dough diva recipe Instructions to make a rangoli pattern A colorful fact-file A fun quiz to complete together

In this immersive exploration of Diwali, kids join a family as they celebrate this vibrant festival. A simple way to introduce little ones to this important occasion, guided by young children who are celebrating.

Part of the Celebrations & Festivals series, you are invited into a family's celebrations as you explore the magic and excitement of religious and cultural festivals around the world.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Nonfiction, Family

48 pages, Hardcover

Published August 6, 2024

Reviews

[Srivalli Rekha · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 Stars

I’m always happy (and curious) to read children’s books about our festivals. Since Diwali has become quite popular in recent times (Holi is next, though sadly both festivals are also being appropriated).

Anyway, the book is labeled non-fiction as it provides information about the five-day Diwali celebration. There’s a quick summary at the end, along with a quiz, steps to make salt diyas, instructions for rangoli (not the one we make; this is more of a lentil project we did in school), and the recipe for Shrikhand.

The content is simple and easy to read. It is spaced out across the pages and inserted around the illustrations. The narration is a bit dry but works well to provide the details.

The illustrations are vibrant and super cute. Can’t call them magical, but I do love the overall effect. Our skin tones are spot on (even our gods are brown, which gets brownie points). Thank you for the bindis and bangles, too. Little details like how the grandmother tucks her saree pallu when cooking and the red tilak on the dog’s forehead on Bhai beej day are a highlight for me. Not sure how many non-Indians will notice these, though. If I have to nitpick, the vibhuti on lines on the forehead will always be three (and not two).

To summarize, Diwali is a compact little book that provides some insights into the festival. It doesn’t go in-depth about the reasons but mentions them in 3-4 lines each. The focus here is on how families celebrate (this is the North version since, for us, Diwali is not a new year and is only a two-day festival).

Thank you, NetGalley and Quarto Publishing Group – words & pictures, for eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.

#Diwali #NetGalley

***

P.S.: A couple of real-life images at the end taken from the internet (Getty images, credited mentioned on the last page).

[Literary Redhead · Rating 5 out of 5]

The spectacular illustrations and cheerful story explain Diwali, an Hindu holiday called the festival of lights celebrated primarily in India. The artwork glows and gives spirited life to this amazing children's book.

[dreamyescapist · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a treat of a children's book! Very informative, detailed and with great educational potential. If you want to teach your children (and yourself) about a popular and globally wide-spread festival you may not have heard about before, this book will fix it in a very pleasant way. I would definitely use it with my children, as they are fascinated with other cultures and their customs and rituals. I especially appreciated the activities at the end of the book that provide extra fun for time with children. And I'd definitely be looking into how to make some of the treats that were mentioned, as the book made them sound absolutely delicious.

The illustrations are rather basic, though. They are pretty and colourful and will definitely catch a children's eye, but I lacked a bit of a wow effect when looking at them.

Otherwise a very pleasant and lovely book that will give you and your children an opportunity to learn and spend some fun quality time together.

And now excuse me, I am going to make some divas.

Thank you, Netgalley for the arc of this book.

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I learned so much about Diwali from this book!

[Kat · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a cute informational book for kids about Diwali for families who don't celebrate and are trying to teach their kids about the celebration. It's a fantastic book/resource for young kids about the holiday and includes some recipes and things for kids to try.

[LaBibliodeCaro · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a festive, informative children's book to learn about the famous Diwali celebration. It's illustrated in a very bright, colorful and way. The book also offers interactive activities, like recipes as well as arts and craft ideas to recreate the traditions explained in the story. A nice read!

[Mehsi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Het is weer bijna Divali/Diwali en in dit boek volgen we een gezin en alles dat zij doen tijdens dit feest.

Ik kwam dit prachtige boek tegen bij de bieb en natuurlijk moest hij mee. Ik wist dat het binnenkort weer Divali/Diwali zou zijn, dankzij een review request voor mijn ENG blog, dus ik vond het passend om er wat meer over te lezen. Ik weet al wat natuurlijk want ik heb al eerder een boek gelezen over dit prachtige feest, maar ik wil altijd meer leren. Plus, op deze manier kan ik toch ook deel zijn van het feest. 

In dit boek ontmoeten we het gezin van Sonali en haar broertje Jay. Het is Divali/Diwali en ze hebben veel zin in het feest. Het duurt 5 dagen in totaal en we krijgen te zien wat elke dag meebrengt. Van een grondige schoonmaak tot lekkere hapjes tot familie en verstoppertje tot kadootjes en vuurwerk. Elke dag is er wel wat te beleven en te doen en ik vond het heerlijk en kleurrijk om te lezen, ik heb ook weer nog meer geleerd over het feest, oh en ik wilde meer dan eens het verhaal gewoon in stappen om deel te zijn van dit feest. Goed, ik zal moeten opletten met eten (noten/pinda allergie) maar verder genieten! Het is ook een heerlijk positief boek en ik vond het zo lief hoe Jay en Sonali samen waren, misschien is het alleen maar voor het feest, maar ik vond het heel leuk dat ze zo goed omgingen met elkaar. Heel lief.  

De illustraties waren echt zo prachtig! Ik heb enorm van ze genoten, ze waren kleurrijk en ik vond de karakters erg leuk getekend. Veel details ook. 

Ook leuk vond ik de extras aan het einde van het verhaal. We krijgen een toffe quiz, tips om dingen te maken die bij het feest horen (helaas kan ik het eten dus niet eten want nootjes), extra informatie over het feest, en meer. Echt altijd heel leuk als dit is toegevoegd.

Al met al, ik zou dit boek 100% aanraden! Een prachtig boek over een schitterend feest. 

Recensie ook gepost op https://boekeneiland.nl/

[Annie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Originally posted on my blog Nonstop Reader.

Diwali is a simple, beautifully accessible and colorful introduction to the Hindu festival of lights written by Sital Gorasia Chapman. Due out 6th Aug 2024 from Quarto on their words & pictures imprint, it's 48 pages and will be available in hardcover and ebook formats.

This is such a beautiful and learning rich book about the customs and history of Diwali. The book is a first person account told by young Sonali with her extended family. She shows how they prepare for Diwali, the food and clothing and family traditions, and more. There's a surprising amount of history and lots of good detail written in age-appropriate and accessible language.

The illustrations by Darshika Varma are beautifully detailed and colorful and enhance the read very much. They're full of small bright details which invite readers to pause and take a closer look.

Five stars. This would be a superlative choice for public or classroom library, gift giving, or home use. The author/publisher have included discussion questions, crafts and recipes, and more information for further reading.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.

[Emma Fawn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Arc received by NetGalley
⭐️5 Stars⭐️

I’m blown away by how well this book captured Hindu culture and the beauty of Diwali. This story does and excellent job immersing the reader into the festival through Hindu activities, traditions, foods, the meaning behind Diwali, and just enough playfulness to keep children interested. The family in this story truly felt as though they had come to life.

Beyond the deeply educational story, I was happily surprised to see that the back is filled with more in depth info about Diwali. This included facts, a recipe, DIY activities, and even a short quiz! I loved that it gave children a hands on opportunity to celebrate Diwali, while making the activities simple and easy to follow

I think this book is fantastic for Hindu children as they can learn about their culture, and why Diwali is such a special part of it. It can also make them feel seen, and show them representation of their culture. Lastly, I think this book is really great for anyone who wants to understand a loved ones culture better, no matter the age! I read this for my boyfriend, who is Hindu, and I found that it’s helped me understand Diwali in a more in depth way than any adult book ever has!

Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book.

[Roben · Rating 4 out of 5]

I learned a lot about Diwali by reading this factual book. I knew it was a Hindu festival but did not know that it originated over 2500 years ago or that it lasted five days and included the Hindu new year.
It is a festival of lights. The five days are listed below -
First day - Dhantares. Clean the house and invite Lakshmi in.
Second day - Kali Chaudas
Third day - Diwali. Fireworks! Victory of light over darkness
Fourth day - Nutan Varsh or New Year's Day. Sal Mubarak means Happy New Year.
Fifth day - Bhai Beej means Brothers' Day but it is a time to celebrate the bond between siblings.

Overall, Diwali celebrates the victory of light over darkness, good over evil, and knowledge over ignorance. I would say the book depicts a mostly American version of celebrating with small hints of how it might be celebrated in other parts of the world.
Instructions are included to make a salt dough diva (lamp) and design your own rangoli plus there is a
recipe for shrikhand which is a yogurt based dessert.
And there is a small quiz at the end to see if you were paying attention! I got 9 out of 10. Not too bad.

[Kathryn · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is pleasant if not my favorite Diwali picture book. For me, the story proper is too much a list (a very cheerful and sweet one, granted) of activities that a family does throughout the Diwali celebration. However, bonus points for the excellent back matter which includes lots of good info about Diwali, including:
*the meaning of the word (Dwiali comes from the Sanskrit "deepavali" which means "row of lights")
*lunar vs solar calendars
*make a salt dough diva
*explain the five days of Diwali
*Design your own Rangoli
*Recipe for Shrikhand
* differences that can appear in Diwali celebrations (for example, honoring the goddess of wealth, Lakshmi; in North India, celebrating the return home of Rama and Sita after defeating the demon king Ravana; in Bengal, the goddess Kali, destroyer of evil, is worshiped; in South India, celebrating Lord Kirishna's defeat of the demon Narakasura. Yet, "All traditions have one thing in common, Diwali celebrates the victory of light over darkness, good over evil, knowledge over ignorance."
*a quiz, with photographs of people celebrating Diwali.

[Barbara Band · Rating 5 out of 5]

Diwali is a charming picture book that beautifully introduces young readers to the joy and meaning of the Hindu festival of Diwali. Author, Sital Gorasia Chapman, weaves together the traditions, stories and delights of the festival by exploring how families prepare for and celebrate Diwali — from decorating their homes with lights and rangoli, to sharing delicious food and sweets, to learning about the story of Rama and Sita that lies at the heart of the festival. There’s a lovely sense of community and warmth throughout, and the inclusion of simple recipes invites children and families to join in the festivities themselves. Darshika Varma’s illustrations, full of colour and detail, perfectly complement the text; they capture the excitement and togetherness of the festival, helping readers appreciate its cultural richness. Ideal for sharing at home or in the classroom and school library, Diwali is both informative and joyful, a wonderful way to help children understand and celebrate one of the world’s most important festivals.

[Sophie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley and Quarto Publishing Group - words & pictures for providing me with a copy of the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Diwali is a children's picture book that follows Sonali and her younger brother Jay as they celebrate the Hindu festival of Diwal, surrounded by friends and family.

This book was wonderful! The illustrations were so cute and had enough detail to be capturing whilst not being overwhelming. The story was fun and I learnt some things about Diwali, even as someone far outside of this book's target audience.

I loved the fact we had a little story first, followed by a non-fiction section at the back, and little-kid version of Sophie would've LOVED that little quiz at the end.

This was really a wonderful experience and is very educational whilst be easy to follow and fun. I would definitely recommend.

[Jan · Rating 5 out of 5]

We join the family who prepares for and celebrates the five day family centered celebration of lights known in Hindi as Diwali. We see the brilliantly colored clothing, fireworks and diva lights, and presents. At the end there are activities and recipes.
The illustrations by Darshika Varma are great fun, brilliantly colorful, imaginative, and delightful.
Perfect for reading alone or WITH someone of any age including ESL, and great for gifting to everyone, especially to a school or your local public library!
I requested and received a free temporary e-book on Adobe Digital Editions from Quarto Publishing Group – words & pictures | words & pictures via NetGalley. Thank you!
#Diwali #NetGalley Pub Date Aug 06 2024

[Tharen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Diwali follows Sonali and her little brother Jay as they celebrate Diwali. It shows specific days, customs as well as clothing of the holiday. It shows specifics that could incite great questions from children as they learn or share in the experience. It also provides supplemental material and recipes at the end of the book. It even has a quiz included!

The illustrations are great, bright and cheery, adding to the book as a whole.

It is a fantastic addition to any children’ book collection! It would be especially great for the age appropriate classroom, to help introduce other cultures and customs to young children.

Disclosure: I received a digital copy from NetGalley for my honest review.

[Sadie-Jane Huff · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book 138 of 300 ~ 2024

🌟🌟🌟🌟

I have read and enjoyed various children’s books on Diwali or Deepavali, yet each time I learn something new.

This one, especially so. So, if you wish to teach your kids more about your culture or teach others about it, this is a wonderful first pick.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

#book138of300 #amreading #netgalley #tbrpile #instareads #readstagram #reading #bookreview #bookreviewer #booklover #booksAreLife #booksForTheWin #thisbookfairyisreading #bookstagram #bookstagrammer #bookstagramfeature #bookshelf #booksofinstagram #bookish #bookworm #goodreads #booklovers #theSGbookfairyReads #theSGtrekkiereads #bookaholic #bookaddict #bookchallenge2024 #reviews #lovebooks #booknerds

[Jakki (BizzyBookNook) · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was beautiful. I loved learning about Diwali and the five nights of celebrations. I love learning about other cultures and getting to learn about them with my children and this book Is the perfect means to do so. The instructions in the back showing how to do the Rangoli and Salt Dough Diva are super neat. The recipe looks so good and the quiz was a lot of fun to do with my kids to see how much they paid attention. Beautiful illustration and a beautiful story make this one, one that I want to add to our personal collection!

[Vanessa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Diwali by Sital Gorasia Chapman was a wonderful book. Diwali is a very special time for people all around the world and celebrates the victory of light over darkness, good over evil, and knowledge over ignorance. Diwali captures the magic of the celebration by exploring how Sonali and her family mark the festival of light. This book had very bright illustrations throughout that made it a joy to read and share it with my nephew. Plus it was great to learn about the Diwali and what this means..........

Big Thank you, NetGalley and Quarto Publishing Group for my ARC

[Danielle Mccoy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a copy of this eBook from netGalley for a honest review.

This book is a wonderful introduction into the Hindu holiday of Diwali. I learned a lot about these 5 days of celebration in this book. It's a great way to open kids eyes to this beautiful holiday and religion. Not only is the story great, the pictures colorful and engaging but there are recipes and activities to get into the Diwali spirit.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for kindly providing me with an e-ARC copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

A colourful and fun book for children to learn about the festival of Diwali. It would be perfect for families, but also for schools to teach about celebrations from other countries.

It was very informative, and kept things light and focused on the children's perspective, making it entertaining.

[Andreea · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars

I received a digital copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

This was brightly coloured book to introduce the little ones to the festival of diwali and what it means and how it's celebrated. It is a gorgeous book, and it's fun while also being informative.

I love the little part at the end with how to do the crafts featured in the story and some of the recipes.

[Shanna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another solid entry in this series offering informational stories for children about festivals around the world. I enjoyed learning about Diwali. Unfortunately, I only knew a little about it from “The Office” years ago. This helped me broaden my knowledge and I liked the illustrations. This is an engaging series for elementary students or anyone who wants to know more about different holidays! Come learn about Diwali!

Mia’s Year of Books: Day 222

[Jill · Rating 5 out of 5]

I know that this is a book meant for children but it is a great starting point if, like me, you knew nothing about this holiday. I learned a lot from this book. I loved that there were recipes and instructions at the end of the book so that you could make some of the things mentioned. The illustrations were so pretty, all of the colors were beautiful.

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very informative and methodically goes through what a family does each day of Diwali. Bright illustrations and good endnotes explaining different parts of the celebration and tradition! A ton of information clearly summarized and easy to absorb for children. Great for older kids, hard to read at storytime for younger ones.

[pit · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's a story of how Diwali is held in India. The writer explains in a neat sequence of event each day. It was easy to read and imagine due to the colourful illustration. Around almost the end of the book, there are more informations on Diwali and some recipes to try! Overall, I really enjoy the book and gain new insights of Diwali celebration.

[Madison LibraryBookFamily · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a comprehensive introduction to Diwali. This is a holiday I learn more about every year. It is a celebration of light in dark times. Families spend time together, eat delicious food, and serve each other. This book is a gorgeous addition to a home or classroom library.

[Norshakila Makmon · Rating 5 out of 5]

super in depth info about diwali than your usual kids diwali books.

[Andréa]

Note: I received a digital review copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley.

[Sierra Reyelts · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful and informative book!

[Natisha · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a beautifully illustrated book that explains Diwali, its significance and traditions simply for the younger generation to understand. This is the perfect story to share with younger children as well as their friends who are not of Indian descent so that they can understand the true beauty of the festival. I love that it also has simple recipes and guides as well as a quiz to help the reader truly feel and understand the spirit of the occasion