LET THERE BE LIGHT

Animal-headed humans learn the true meaning of the Hindu festival of Diwali in this illustrated holiday fable.

Penamakuru’s winsome children’s book unfolds on an unnamed planet that’s much like India except that it’s inhabited by animal-headed humans. There, Aadi Puli and his wife, Adhvika, a tiger-headed couple, invite over the elephant-headed Subbu Gaja; his wife, Sumati; and their bear-headed friend Jambu Ballu to celebrate Diwali, the Hindu Festival of Lights. It features lamps, light strings, prayers, fireworks, and feasting. Unfortunately, the frantic preparations stir tensions. Adhvika is dissatisfied with a bronze diyalamp she ordered and chews out the apologetic, gazelle-headed diya-maker Hima Harin over the phone. The light string falls off the roof, and when a kindly monkey-headed stranger named Bolunath “Bolu” Krishnakant remounts it, Sumati is ungrateful for his efforts. Then Aadi and Subbu go shopping and return home with laddoo sweets and clay diyas, bragging about their success in haggling Shyam Lal, a poor, sheep-headed shopkeeper, down to cheap prices. Appalled by their selfishness, Jambu lectures them on the essence of Diwali, which is to spread light to other people—something they have failed to do that day, he notes, through their lack of compassion. The remorseful Pulis and Gajas then seek out Hima, Bolu, and Shyam to make amends, hoping to recapture a glow of good cheer. Penamakuru’s yarn features a sprightly narrative and lively, well-drawn characters; especially entertaining is Mrs. Bagh, a tigress who gloats over Adhvika’s lackluster decor. He steeps readers in Diwali rituals—the book's Hindi vocabulary is explained in a glossary—and delves into the details of everything from henna hand decorations to traditional dishes. (“Dal bati churma, so yummy Rama Rama! Pass me the korma and spare me the drama,” the revelers sing of two delicacies.) Penamakuru’s limpid, plainspoken writing can be drolly funny or quietly poignant. (Visiting Shyam and his granddaughter in their hut, “Aadi…took a diya out of the boxes he bought, looked at Minnu and asked if she wanted to light it. She jumped in excitement and looked at her grandfather. He smiled in return…‘Let there be light,’ said Aadi.” ) Kuba’s black-and-white and color illustrations impart a Disney-esque visual appeal to the story.

A charming kids’ tale that illuminates the rites of Diwali along with its spiritual import.