Picture book introduces kids to Hindu holiday Diwali

Diwali in My New Home

Written by Shachi Kaushik and illustrated by Aishwarya Tandon

Beaming Books, 2022

Priya has moved to America from India. Today is Diwali, a favorite Hindu holiday. She is excited as she thinks about the celebration.

But she is saddened to look out the window and see no decorations. She remembers how her school in India celebrated the holiday. The halls were decorated. Everyone wore traditional outfits, made cards, and sang songs. Here, no one seems to know about the holiday.

She goes home and smells cardamom, an Indian spice, and warm ghee, butter. Her mother is baking.

“It smells like Diwali,” she says.

She helps her mother clean house. She remembers her grandmother saying, “Goddess Lakshmi always visits a clean and decorated house.”

She sits on the front steps making a flower as a rangoli with colorful sand. A rangoli is supposed to bring luck and happiness.

Neighbors come by and compliment her work. They also comment on the delicious aromas coming from the house.

Later, Priya and her father decorate the house with lights. Again, neighbors come by and ask if they are decorating early for Christmas. Priya explains it is for Diwali, the festival of lights. Papa invites them to come back later to celebrate with them.

Priya and her parents change into traditional costumes. They say prayers, and light clay lamps, the diyas, and incense sticks in front of figurines of Hindu deities.

The neighbors come and celebrate with them. Priya is happy again, and thinks, “It feels like Diwali.”

The children play with sparklers outdoors. Fireworks are Priya’s favorite part of the celebration.

“This Diwali isn’t the same as in India,” Priya thinks, “but it’s Diwali in my new home.”

At the back of the book, there are two pages giving information about the Diwali holiday. There is also a glossary defining words used in the book.

The illustrations by Aishwarya Tandon are colorful and bright. They will draw children into the story.

“Diwali in My New Home,” introduces American children to the popular Hindu holiday Diwali. Diwali happens in October or November on the night of a full moon. It is celebrated on the third day of the five-day festival.

On this day, Lord Rama, his wife Sita, and his brother Lakshman came back to his kingdom Ayodhya after spending 14 years in exile. Diwali celebrates the victory of light over darkness, good over evil, and hope over despair.  

In America, Indian organizations host events for Diwali. Most cities have these events.

About the Author

Shachi Kaushik is a children’s media enthusiast, writer, and storyteller. Raised in India, she currently lives in Vancouver with her husband. This is her debut picture book.  

About the Illustrator

Aishwarya Tandon is an illustrator and cartoonist. She holds a bachelor of science and an honors degree in animation and multimedia from the Birla Institute of Technology. Aishwarya lives in India.