Diwali in My New Home

July 15, 2022
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. (information about Diwali, glossary) (Picture book. 4-8)

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October 28, 2022

PreS-Gr 2-This charming picture book deftly introduces the various rituals of Diwali in an appropriate way for young readers, while touching only briefly upon the religious aspects of the festival. The book opens with a view of Priya, a smiling South Asian American girl, holding up a colorful beaded fabric. Although there are few words on the page, which is perfect for beginners, the illustrated background of her bedroom has plenty of visual cues about Priya's identity that close readers will notice and enjoy. For instance, there is a South Asian doll on Priya's bed, a Taj Mahal poster on her wall, and her traditional dress hangs from her closet door. Readers will also enjoy the sly nod to Priya's new American lifestyle-her name in rainbow sticker decals, a floral backpack on the floor, sneakers discarded, and bedroom slippers on her feet. This opening image sets the stage for the story: Priya's confusion about her new bicultural identity and, for the first time, having to live away from India for Diwali, while trying to maintain that connection. Throughout the story, the author introduces a diverse cast of characters into what becomes a blended Indian-American celebration that highlights the way difference doesn't have to be less or more, just different. Back matter includes a glossary and an author's note describing the holiday. VERDICT An excellent recommendation for a class read-aloud, with frequent pauses or second reading to analyze the detailed pictures.-Evelyn Khoo Schwartz

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