4 Stars 

Celebrating Diwali is a non-fiction book explaining the festival for little ones. The book is divided into short chapters with equally short paragraphs. The information is compact and to the point. A bit too brief at times, but since it’s written for kids with little or no knowledge about the festival, it works. 

The book also talks about where Diwali is celebrated, the cultural significance, activities to do on each day during the festive period, and so on. There’s a glossary at the end, but before that, there’s an entire section dedicated to DIY. 

I love this part. From making colored rice for rangoli to the recipe for no-bake chocolate laddoos, this section is a treat for kids to get into the festive mood. 

The illustrations are small in my copy and not on every page. They are nice and vibrant, but the wow factor was missing. I’d have liked illustrations with a more personal appeal (some of these reminded me of my social studies textbooks). 

The author has included the celebrations from different parts of India and even our neighbor, Nepal. It’s good to see the focus on different versions instead of just one. 

A couple of things I’d like to add are- 

To Summarize, Celebrating Diwali is a pocket-sized version for those who wish to know more about this wonderful festival of lights. 

I received an ARC from NetGalley, Callisto Media, and Rockridge Press and am voluntarily leaving a review.