About the Holiday

Diwali or Deepavali is the Hindu Festival of Lights and symbolizes the victory of light over darkness and good over evil as well as the importance of nature in our lives. The festival is celebrated annually over five days in early autumn following the summer harvest and the end of the monsoon season. It coincides with the new moon. The festival is a time for extended families to reunite and for communities to come together through special activities, events, and gatherings. The name Diwali is derived from the Sanskrit words dīpa—which can be defined as “lamp, candle, that which glows, illuminates or knowledge”—and āvali, which means “a row, continuous line, or series.” This year the Festival of Lights runs from October 29 through November 3.

Garland of Lights: A Diwali Story

Written by Chitra Soundar | Illustrated by Amberin Huq

As a family celebrates Diwali, lighting thirteen diyas and engaging in treasured traditions, young readers learn about this holiday that is observed around the world. Through her delightful and heartfelt rhyming couplets, Chitra Soundar invites children to count along as each lamp is lit and added to the others.

Image copyright Amberin Huq, 2024, text copyright Chitra Soundar, 2024. Courtesy of Bloomsbury Children’s Books.

With each page, she touches on the many aspects of Diwali, from giving thanks for good fortune to appreciating the wisdom and guidance of grandparents and other elders in the community to gratitude for the monsoons that provide nourishing rain for the environment and crops. The holiday also fosters harmony between family and friends, welcomes joy and laughter, and is celebrated with sweets, fireworks, hymns, and beautiful artwork. 

Image copyright Amberin Huq, 2024, text copyright Chitra Soundar, 2024. Courtesy of Bloomsbury Children’s Books.

Amberin Huq’s detailed illustrations glow not only with the flames of the diyas but with a love and reverence for Diwali. The excitement and meaning of this Festival of Lights for the family in the story and all those who celebrate is evident in Huq’s lush scenes in which the children’s eyes shine as brightly as the diyas as they happily partake in traditions such as cleaning and decorating the house, creating greeting cards and giving gifts, enjoying mithai, and creating rangoli art on which to place the diyas, among others. Young readers will love finding and counting the diyas on each page as well as the number of family members and friends who gather to celebrate this special holiday.

Following the story, readers will find a more in depth discussion of the holiday as well as a short, illustrated glossary.

Image copyright Amberin Huq, 2024, text copyright Chitra Soundar, 2024. Courtesy of Bloomsbury Children’s Books.

A luminescent book to introduce young children to Diwali, whether they celebrate themselves or have friends or family who do, Garland of Lights: A Diwali Story is highly recommended for home bookshelves and a must for school and public library collections. 

Ages Baby – 5

Bloomsbury Children’s Books, 2024 | ISBN 978-1547616282

About the Author

Chitra Soundar is an Indian-born British writer and storyteller. She grew up surrounded by the myths and stories of India and is inspired by its diverse culture and natural beauty. Chitra has over 40 books in print worldwide and regularly goes into schools to tell stories and conduct workshops. Her books You’re Safe With Me and You’re Snug with Me (with illustrator Poonam Mistry) were both shortlisted for the CILIP Kate Greenway Medal.

About the Illustrator

Amberin Huq graduated from University College Falmouth quite a long time ago! She very much enjoyed living and drawing by the sea and has vowed to do it again some day. Since then she has been creating work for children of all ages. Amberin loves to create atmospheric illustrations, lively characters and has a new-found love of working in black and white. Amberin is the illustrator of several books in the Bloomsbury Readers series.

Get Ready for Diwali Activities

Diya Coloring Page

Kids can have fun decorating their own diya with this Diwali Diya coloring page.

Quick and Easy Diwali Sweet Treats

Kids will also enjoy making and enjoying the sweet tastes of Diwali with these easy recipes from Artsy Craftsy Mom!

You can purchase Garland of Lights: A Diwali Story at these booksellers

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop (to support your local independent bookstore)

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