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Diwali

Best children’s books about Diwali 

The Hindu festival of lights is an engaging and colourful topic, which you can bring to life with this hand-picked selection of Diwali stories for children. This list of the best books about Diwali for primary school children features richly-illustrated picturebooks alongside fact-packed non-fiction and activity books.

If you are looking for story books about Diwali showing children enjoying the festivities, try Binny’s Diwali or The Best Diwali Ever, in which young Ariana makes plans to for extra special Diwali celebrations, with yummy sweets, divas around the house, pretty clothes, fireworks and a rangoli competition. We also recommend Christopher Corr’s excellent picturebook retelling of the story of Rama and Sita. For information books for children about Diwali, try Ladybird’s lift-the-flap First Festivals: Diwali or the photo-based information book Celebrate With Me: Diwali.

Add sparkle to your Diwali topic with our list of recommended children’s books about Diwali….

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Fact books about Diwali

Kabir Sehgal,Surishtha Sehgal
 & Archana Sreenivasan
Non-fiction Picturebook

This is a good book for teaching the vocabulary around Diwali, as each double page focuses on a word – showing its pronunciation and meaning. It is written around a count-up and countdown and so is also good for teaching numbers and rhyme. The culture and traditions of Diwali presented include  food, family traditions, decorations or community celebrations. On the very last page there is a useful summary of what Diwali is about and the origins of it. This is a really good book for younger children as the illustrations put across the colour and celebrations of the festival well.

Madeline Tyler
Non-fiction
Come and celebrate some of the world's biggest festivals with us! We will take you on a step-by-step journey through each celebration, teaching you all about the stories and traditions we follow, as well as all the tasty food we eat. So, come and celebrate with us!
Swapna Haddow
 & Aditi Kakade Beaufrand
Non-fiction
All About Diwali: Things to Make and Do is the perfect celebration gift! Diwali is one of India's most significant holidays.This beautiful activity book book is filled with crafts and recipes, fun activities and facts about the Diwali celebrations observed by over ONE BILLION people across faiths.Read all about why Diwali is named the festival of lights and discover the stories behind it.The perfect activity book, children can:Create magical lanternsMake a diyaPut together diwali fan decorationsPaint rangoli patternsMake a diwali paper rocketRecipes include:Potato currySpiced rice with peasMilk pedaCoconut burfiAlmond halwaThis is the ULTIMATE book of Diwali fun!
Ladybird
 & Aditi Kakade Beaufrand
Non-fiction Picturebook
Discover the celebration of Diwali with this bright, interactive lift-the-flap book.Lift the flaps to reveal the rangoli pattern, look inside the temple and light the diyas!Featuring simple text, gorgeous illustrations and satisfying lift-the-flaps, this book explores common Diwali traditions and helps young children understand the importance of this special holiday.The First Festivals series invites children to explore the world's culture from the comfort of their home, encourages the development of hand-eye coordination and is recommended for children aged 2 and over.
Hannah Eliot
 & Archana Sreenivasan
Non-fiction
Learn all about the traditions of Diwali with this third book in the delightful board book series Celebrate the World, which highlights special occasions and holidays across the globe.Each autumn we gather with our friends and family and light our brightest lanterns. It’s time for Diwali, the festival of lights! In this lovely board book with illustrations from Archana Sreenivasan, readers learn that the five days of Diwali are a time to pray for a bountiful season, celebrate the special bonds between siblings, and rejoice in the victory of light over darkness and good over evil.

Story books about Diwali

Malachy Doyle
 & Christopher Corr
Picturebook
The perfect picture book to introduce children aged 6+ to Rama and Sita and the story of Diwali, with text by award-winning author Malachy Doyle and stunning, colourful illustrations from Christopher Corr.Rama and Sita live happily in the forest – until Sita is kidnapped by the demon king, Ravana. Can Rama and the monkey king Hanuman follow the trail she has laid for them and save Sita, or will she be lost forever? Whether you're looking for a Diwali gift or a simple introduction to the Diwali story to share with your children, this beautiful book, now reissued in a larger picture book format, is ideal.
Jatinder Verma
 & Nilesh Mistry
Chapter book
Who can defeat the demon king of Lanka and return light to the world? Only Rama, the Prince of Fire, and his friends can save the day in this gripping illustrated chapter book. A faithful but fresh adaptation of the Ramayana, India's unforgettable epic, Prince of Fire is both the perfect introduction to and retelling of the story of Diwali, the Hindu festival of lights. From cover to cover, nonstop action, courageous heroes and a dastardly villain will keep boys and girls alike on the edge of their seats.
Thrity Umrigar
 & Nidhi Chanani
A beautiful celebration of Diwali for young children.Binny is excited to talk to her class about her favourite holiday. But she struggles to find the words.Taking a deep breath, she tells them about the fireworks, the delicious pedras and jalebis, and the clay lamps called diyas ... there are so many wonders to see!Her favourite holiday is the Hindu festival of lights called Diwali, and now that they know all about it, all her friends love it too!This brilliant picture book is a wonderful introduction to Diwali for little ones, wrapped within a story of sharing and acceptanceWith beautiful illustrations by Nidhi Chanani that bring the story of Diwali alive!Includes a spread on the story of Diwali and how it is celebrated
Sonali Shah
 & Chaaya Prabhat
Picturebook
Peek into the magic of Diwali in this heart-warming picture book about Diwali, siblings and how very special this celebration can be. This year, Ariana has plans to make Diwali an extra special celebration, with yummy sweets, divas around the house, pretty clothes, fireworks and... the rangoli competition, of course. "This year, I am DEFINITELY going to win the rangoli competition." Everything would go perfectly to plan if it weren't for Rafi, her annoying little brother, always up to mischief...and always being clumsy! Will he ruin Diwali too? Includes a non-fiction spread at the back about Diwali and how it is celebrated around the world and in different religions Touches on what it's like to be a big sister or brother, the annoying parts and the extra special parts Written by Sonali Shah, ambassador for the British Asian Trust and BBC broadcaster Bright and rich colours on every page truly bring the magic of Diwali to life

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