DIWALI IN MY NEW HOME

A girl finds new ways to celebrate a beloved festival.

Diwali is Priya’s favorite holiday, but things feel different now that she’s no longer in India. It’s quiet, and as she looks out the window, she reminisces about past celebrations of Diwali, which were infused with color and noise. But as her mother gets ready for the festival in their new home, Priya feels her spirits rise. The preparations attract the attention of neighbors, whom Priya and her family welcome into their home to join in the celebrations. From drawing colorful rangolis to cleaning the house to welcome the goddess Lakshmi to lighting the clay lamps, the book offers an easy-to-understand explanation of the festival. The text is simple and unfussy, complemented by illustrations in a similar vein. Though the ending, with Priya’s family celebrating in their new community, is sweet, it feels abrupt; there’s little context about the new neighborhood, and readers aren’t introduced to the guests. The result is a gentle yet pat tale. Priya and her family are Indian; their neighbors vary in terms of ethnicity, ability, and body type. (This book was reviewed digitally.)

A book about Diwali that doesn’t quite crackle.