Shachi Kaushik

The joy of the holiday radiates with inviting warmth while introducing the meaning behind it along the way.

Priya has always loved celebrating Diwali in India, but now that her family has moved to the States, nothing is the same. Fireworks, traditional clothing and all of the lights are nowhere to be seen as she goes to school. But when she returns home, her parents have already begun to do the best they can to celebrate the day. And while it doesn't seem to be enough, at first, the celebration blossoms and blooms.

This is a brightly illustrated book, which invites in not only thanks to the lovely illustrations. The first pages draw in as they briefly show how Diwali is celebrated in India...and readers will wish they could see it themselves with the bright fireworks and colors. Then, it switches to Priya's life in the US and more familiar scenes. This shift makes it easy to understand Priya's disappointment, and when things take an unexpected turn, it's hard not to smile right along with her. As the story goes along, the author drops in facts and explanations surrounding the celebration. It ends with plenty of good vibes and a sense of community-warmth, which leaves a smile on the face.

This makes a nice read-aloud, especially in group settings. The text is short enough to keep boredom at bay, while still bringing everything across clearly and understandably. At the end of the book, there's a short explanation of the holiday (for the adults/guardians/caretakers/teachers) and this is followed by a quick glossary for those words/terms which might be unfamiliar to listeners. So, there are more than a few enjoyable aspects surrounding this read. I received a complimentary copy and enjoyed how nicely this flowed.… (meer)