Divali, the festival of lights, is a celebration rich in history, culture, and spiritual significance. While the glowing diyas, sumptuous feasts, and colourful rangoli are the most visible symbols of the celebration, the essence of Divali goes much deeper, symbolizing the triumph of light over darkness and good over evil.

Introducing children to the richness of this festival becomes an enlightening journey in itself. Through the enchanting world of literature, young minds can embark on a journey that unravels the tales, traditions, and teachings of Divali.

Dive into this curated list of children’s books that beautifully encapsulate the essence of this luminous festival.

TOMATOES FOR NEELA

Padma Lakshmi, bestselling author and host of Bravo’s Top Chef and Hulu’s Taste the Nation, teams up with Caldecott Honor-winning illustrator Juana Martinez-Neal in this book which celebrates food and family.
Neela loves cooking with her amma and writing down the recipes in her notebook. It makes her feel closer to her paati who lives far away in India. On Saturdays, Neela and Amma go to the green market and today they are buying tomatoes to make Paati’s famous sauce. But first, Neela needs to learn about all the different kinds of tomatoes they can pick from. And as Neela and Amma cook together, they find a way for Paati to share in both the love and the flavors of the day.

Padma Lakshmi takes young readers on an intergenerational journey full of delicious flavors and fun food facts that celebrates a family’s treasured recipes. And Caldecott Honor-winning illustrator Juana Martinez-Neal brings this circle of women to life with vivid detail and warmth. Tomatoes for Neela lovingly affirms how we can connect to other cultures, as well as to our own, through food.

A GARDEN IN MY HANDS

This touching picture book celebrates the custom of applying henna for special occasions through a mother and daughter who share family memories and stories.
The sweet smell of henna, and stories we carry, fill us with pride of a faraway home.
There’s a wedding tomorrow! And one little girl sits patiently while her mother tenderly applies intricate, delicate henna designs on her hands. As she does, she shares family stories–about weddings, monsoons, and ancestors long gone. The little girl must be careful to protect her hands as the henna dries–one smudge could ruin a story! After a whole night of anticipation, when the flakes are washed away, what will they reveal?
Lyrical text pairs with vibrant illustrations for this poignant picture book that blooms with heart, connects us to our roots, and sweetly reminds us of the the garden of love we curate with those closest to us.

NAMASTE IS A GREETING

Discover namaste’s many meanings in a simple, lyrical text, paired with a charmingly detailed visual narrative about a little girl’s kindness.

Namaste calms your heart when things aren’t going right.
Namaste is saying “You matter.”
What is namaste? It’s found in a smile, a friendship, a celebration. It exists in silence; it can be said when you’re happy or when you’re feeling low. For one small girl in a bustling city, namaste (“I bow to you”) is all around her as she and her mother navigate a busy marketplace—and when she returns with a little plant and chooses to give it to an elderly neighbor, it can be seen in the caring bond between them. In a sweet, universal text, debut author Suma Subramaniam shines a light on a word with significance far beyond yoga class, while artist Sandhya Prabhat makes the concept of mindfulness come alive in delightful illustrations likely to draw children in again and again.

MOM, TELL ME ABOUT DIWALI

This little book presents the most important facts about Diwali. The book highlights main traditions and activities, it’s perfect both for little Indian citizens and those living outside of India. Very informative and simple, the book will help you to explain everything related to Diwali and prepare your child for celebration.

SHUBH DIWALI!

The festival of lights is here―time to celebrate the New Year!

Diwali has arrived! Rangoli art decorates the floor, and strings of flowers hang around the doors. Now it’s time to ring the bells, light the lamps, and welcome the New Year with family and friends. A sweet introduction to the Hindu festival of lights.

BINNY’S DIWALI

Binny woke up happy but nervous. It was her day to share about Diwali, the Festival of Lights!Binny is excited to talk to her class about her favorite holiday. But she struggles to find the words.Taking a deep breath, she tells her classmates about the fireworks that burst like stars in the night sky, leaving streaks of gold and red and green. She shares with them delicious pedas and jalebis. And she shows them clay lamps, called diyas, which look so pretty all the children ooh and aah.Featuring a heartwarming story by Thrity Umrigar, enchanting illustrations by Nidhi Chanani, and detailed information about the Hindu festival of lights, Binny’s Diwali is a holiday treat.

LET’S CELEBRATE 5 DAYS OF DIWALI! (Maya & Neel’s India Adventure Series, Book 1) 
You know about the 12 Days of Christmas. But do you know about the 5 days of Diwali, India’s Festival of Lights?

Go on an adventure with Maya, Neel and their cute little partner, Chintu the squirrel, as they learn all about this famous Indian festival of lights including Dhanteras, Diwali sweets, Rangoli drawings, fireworks and the special sibling bond of Bhai Dooj.

Maya & Neel’s India Adventures 10+ Book Series is written with the mission to RAISE MULTICULTURAL KIDS! We are Indie authors and 1st generation Indian immigrants, who have dedicated the past decade to spreading multiculturalism through our local dance & culture company as well through this book series whose extreme popularity has taken even us by surprise. You can follow our cultural journey on social media at Bollywood Groove and Culture Groove. To all our little and grownup readers: Thank You for supporting our work & mission!