Book Reviewed: Celebrating Diwali: History, Traditions, and Activities – A Holiday Book for Kids by Anjali Joshi

The festival of lights explained to kids This book is written for Hindu children to help them understand and enjoy the spirit of the holy festival of Diwali. This is important not only for Hindus living outside India but also for kids growing up in India. Hindu children and their parents are badly in touch with their culture that stands for four thousand years of Vedic Dharma. The author teaches the young readers with a brief introduction to the history and beliefs behind the celebration of the festival of lights, but certain descriptions are confounding. In some pages the term “South Asia” is used, and at other places the term “India” is used. Diwali was celebrated long before the neighboring countries were even born, hence uniform use of “India” is more appropriate. Some of the illustrations in this book reminds me of the character “Apu” from the sitcom Simpsons, an Indian store owner whom colorists rendered in a deep dark brown tone. His character/illustrations were particularly problematic that incorporated inherent racism. It was just a normal representation of blackness that white people promote. I wished the author, and the illustrator could have been more conscious about their work.