Diwali is the multi-day “Festival of Lights” that takes place yearly during the New Moon in the Hindu month of Kartik (usually October or November on the Gregorian calendar). This year, Diwali will take place—depending on how its celebrated household to household—from October 19th-23rd, with the main celebration centering on Tuesday, October 21st.
“Around one billion people worldwide and across the U.S. will celebrate Diwali this week,” writes Chandelis Duster for NPR, adding that the “Festival of Lights,” is one of India’s most revered holidays. “Diwali originated in India more than 2,500 years ago. The annual festival, which expands to the Indian diaspora, is usually observed for five days or even as short as one day, depending on where a person lives or how the person celebrates.”
In honor of Diwali, which “celebrates the victory of light over darkness,” Spokane Public Library recommends the following books featuring Diwali or Hindu legends and myths.
Children
Shubh Diwali! by Chitra Soundar, illustrated by Charlene Chua
Archie Celebrates Diwali by Mitali Banerjee Ruths, illustrated by Parwinder Singh
Diwali in my New Home by Shachi Kaushik, illustrated by Aishwarya Tandon
Aru Shah and the End of Time: The Graphic Novel, adapted by Joe Caramagna, illustrated by Anu Chouhan, lettering by Stef Purenins, based on the novel by Roshani Chokshi
Adult
Goddess of the River by Vaishnavi Patel
The Legend of Meneka by Kritika H. Rao
A Holly Jolly Diwali by Sonya Lalli
The Sea of Elephants by Shastri Akella
