Review by Booklist Review
Diwali is the festival of lights that is celebrated all over India and the diaspora. As the author and illustrator note, the traditions are shaped by time and place. In My Diwali Light, Devi and her family are in an urban, Western setting, and they open their apartment doors to all who want to stop by. In Devi's home, both parents, Nani (her grandmother), and a couple of pets participate in the preparation of the food and decorations that will make the evening party special. Throughout the celebration, Nani reminds Devi of the significance of their traditions: sweet foods to remind people to speak sweetly to each other, rangoli patterns on the floor to signify community, and, of course, the ubiquitous metaphor of the light. Cheerful mixed-media illustrations provide texture and movement to this vibrant account of a close-knit family and community. My Diwali Light should be part of all sets of books about traditions and cultures.
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by School Library Journal Review
K-Gr 3--Many picture books about Diwali have recently been published; what sets this one apart is its mixture of both traditional and new ways to celebrate the holiday in a secular nation. Diwali is Devi's favorite time of year because that means there will be sweets, new clothes, jewelry, bindis, marigolds, diyas, rangoli, lights, and sparklers--but most of all, her family will be hosting a big party. The book has good pacing, starting from the ways in which Devi's family prepares for Diwali. Devi cleans her room and makes food with Nani, Papa, and Mama. Then, they commemorate by gathering and conducting a puja. The story presents both the celebration of Diwali and also the cleansing, prayers, and offerings involved. Mirchandani equates Diwali with collectivity, showing that the joy of the holiday can be shared with family and friends inside and outside of the culture. The illustrations are collage-style, which is fun and colorful for children, but may be a bit simplistic. Kelkar pieces together actual fabric patterns, but the intricacy of clothing like sarees and salwar kameez, and jewelry like tikkas and naths, are lost in these illustrations. Back matter includes notes from both Mirchandani and Kelkar, where they share their personal connections to the holiday. VERDICT The authenticity and flow of the narrative makes this a great addition to a South Asian collection. Fans of Jyoti Rajan Gopal's American Desi, also illustrated by Kelkar, will enjoy this book.--Paige Pagan
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Review by Kirkus Book Review
An Indian American girl and her family prepare to celebrate a beloved holiday. For Devi, Diwali is one of the best times of the year. She loves the colors, decorations, and food; Diwali is her "time to shine." But as her family notes, before she can celebrate, she has to clean her room in preparation for the arrival of the goddess Lakshmi. After Devi is done, she watches her Nani (grandmother) and her father make puris and besan ladoos for the whole family to enjoy during the holiday. She's particularly excited that she gets to try on all of the new clothes Nani brought for her from India for the days of celebration. Everyone celebrates Diwali in different ways, Devi notes, and she explains that she and her family "wrap up our ladoos in fancy boxes and deliver them to people we love" before throwing a party in their apartment. Neighbors stop by, curious about the festivities, and the family invites them to join in. Mirchandani's simple, elegant text explains the holiday, vividly bringing to life a family that loves coming together to share traditions, while Kelkar's bold use of color (particularly shades of purple, blue, and green) makes the illustrations pop. Characters--diverse in skin tone--are cartoonish, placed against backdrops that use attractive textures and patterns. (This book was reviewed digitally.) A warm, heartfelt ode to Diwali and the joys of family. (author's and illustrator's notes) (Picture book. 4-8) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
