Picture Books to Celebrate Diwali!
Diwali is celebrated in October or November each year. This year, Diwali will be observed on Monday, October 24. However, Diwali begins on October 21 and last for five days. Diwali is the “Festival of Lights” and celebrates the victory of light over darkness. Diwali is a time for families to pray and give thanks. People get ready for Diwali by cleaning their homes, buying new clothes, and painting their hands and feet with henna. During Diwali people give gifts, share sweets, and feast together. You can learn SO much more about the beautiful holiday, Diwali from through picture books! Be sure to save this post for your next trip to the library!
I wanted to highlight a few of these fiction stories and one new release for Diwali books!
This beautifully illustrated, rhyming picture book shares the preparations, excitement and traditions families share for Diwali.
Archie is excited and nervous to share her most favorite holiday, Diwali with her friends at school. As soon as her friends arrive at Archie’s home for Diwali, so does a storm that takes out the power. Archie is worried Diwali is ruined. Archie shares the story of Diwali and how Diwali is about hope, light, and strength and as soon as she finishes her story, the lights come back on for a Diwali miracle!
And last but certainly not least, Diwali in my New Home! A new release (October 2022), but Shachi Kaushik.
Is the story of a little girl named Priya who just moved to the United States. Priya is excited for the Festival of Lights, her favorite holiday, Diwali. But this year Diwali is quiet in her new home. Everything in India was decorated, people wore traditional outfits, made cards, and sang songs and now in the United States no one seemed to even know about Diwali. That did not stop Priya and her family from their traditions. Before long, neighbors grew curious what the delicious smells, the beautiful rangoli, and the lights were for. Priya and her family invited all to join them in celebrating Diwali, and for the first time, Priya’s new home felt like Diwali.
As educators, it is our job to make children like Priya feel at home and by sharing books like the ones featured, we can do just that!
I would LOVE to help you teach your students about the beautiful holiday of Diwali. Here is a link to my FREE 65+ page Nonfiction Reading Activities Resource for Diwali!
If you’re looking for another fun activity to follow one of these fabulous read alouds, you can check out my Virtual Field Trip to India for Diwali! You can grab it here!
