Review Detail

‘Binny’s Diwali’ by Thrity Umrigar, illustrated by Nidhi Chanani, is a beautiful book that explores the holiday of Diwali and how a little girl shares her holiday with her school friends.

Binny is nervous, but excited to talk about Diwali at school. She doesn’t know quite what to say, but she knows what she loves about it. She loves the Indian outfit her parents have laid out for her, the different foods she gets to eat, such as jalebis and pedas, and the way the holiday serves as a festival of lights to chase away the darkness. She is proud that the holiday of Diwali marks the victory of goodness and light. The kids help make the streamers Binny has brought to school brighter with glitter, and she tells them about the sparklers her father lit in the yard. They discuss how the holiday lasts five days and how the holiday is magical for children.

Mr. Boomer, Binny’s teacher, encourages her the whole time they’re talking about Diwali, and Binny ends her day happy with what she shared. It’s especially nice how the story of the holiday and what is supposed to happen on each day of it are shared at the end of the book. The authors’ notes are also special in that they talk about why the holiday of Diwali is special to both the author and the illustrator.

It was interesting to note similarities with other holidays, such as Chanukah, which also serves as the Festival of Lights for Jewish people. Readers will surely enjoy learning about Diwali and making connections with other cultures, holidays, religions, and ideas. There is always something new to learn, if one is only willing to take the time to consider.