The Best Diwali Ever

August 1, 2023
A South Asian older sister comes to appreciate her little brother. Ariana's 3-year-old brother, Rafi, seems to ruin everything...will he spoil Diwali? Rafi spills flour on the floor while Ariana and her grandmother make sweets, gets messy handprints on Ariana's new clothes, and interrupts the traditional dancers with his silly moves. While the adults explain Rafi's antics away, Ariana focuses on the rangoli contest, which she is determined to win. After she completes her artwork, though, Rafi trips and spills powder all over what Ariana considered her perfect creation. Infuriated, Ariana bursts into tears only to discover that Rafi's mistake was actually just what she needed to take her art--and her maturity--to the next level. The book's gorgeous illustrations and chatty, feisty narratorial voice form a brightly colored canvas for Ariana's realization about the traps of perfectionism. Shah includes helpful details for readers unfamiliar with Diwali, such as an explanation of how Ariana makes rangoli and backmatter with an overview of the holiday. The book wraps up with Ariana and Rafi watching fireworks, which are increasingly eschewed in Diwali celebrations because they cause pollution. Overall, though, this delightful book offers valuable lessons about flexibility and acceptance without ever becoming preachy. (This book was reviewed digitally.) A joyful Diwali celebration laced with messages that are important all year-round. (Picture book. 3-7)

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August 14, 2023
A rangoli contest and an exasperating younger sibling feature prominently in this straightforward tale about Diwali celebrations. Narrator Ariana is excited about the upcoming holiday, especially decorating the house, playing with cousins, and triumphing at the rangoli competition. Three-year-old brother Rafi, who is “always ruining things,” poses the only problem—his participation in sweet-making ends with a flour-coated kitchen floor, and Ariana’s new Diwali outfit becomes covered in his finger paints. For the school rangoli competition, Ariana has spent weeks creating patterns with colored powder, rice, and flowers, a design that gets smudged when Rafi falls backward into it. But the results help Ariana appreciate Rafi, and to muster the spirit of Diwali—fun, family, and light. Shah’s sibling-conflict plot ends gently, while Prabhat’s vivid digital illustrations offer myriad cultural details and expressive faces among the Indian-cued cast. A note on Diwali concludes. Ages 4–6.

September 1, 2023

PreS-Gr 1-A young girl looks forward to all her favorite parts of Diwali in this gorgeous, colorful picture book celebrating the Festival of Lights. Optimistic Ariana lays out her plan to make this the best Diwali celebration ever. She can't wait to make yummy sweets, wear pretty clothes, open presents, and decorate with divas, to name a few. But as the festival gets underway, her three-year-old brother Rafi ruins everything! He makes a mess in the kitchen, joins the dancers at the temple, and-worst of all-falls and smudges Ariana's elaborate rangoli design made of colored powder, rice, and flowers. While many readers will be as frustrated by Rafi's antics as she is at first, Ariana, in the true spirit of the season, finds a way to see the best in the situation. This gentle and relatable plot blends well with the explanation of Diwali and its traditions through the eyes of a child. Prabhat's beautiful, warm palette with fall colors of brown, orange, maroon, and purple enhances the detailed illustrations in every spread. VERDICT Recommended for all libraries, to round out their holiday collections.-Kristy Pasquariello

Copyright 2023 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

September 15, 2023
Grades K-2 Ariana is looking forward to celebrating Diwali, the festival of lights; her little brother, Rafi, however, keeps getting in her way. Ariana anticipates how all the events will take place, but reality does not match her expectations. When she wants to make special Indian treats with her grandmother, Rafi spills flour. Her new outfit looks beautiful--until Rafi gets fingerpaint on her. Even when praying at the temple, her enjoyment of the music and dancing is interrupted when Rafi unexpectedly joins the performers. Ariana's parents respond with love and patience, but Ariana is frustrated. One thing she has been particularly excited about is creating a rangoli (artwork made from colored powder, rice, and flowers) and entering it in her school contest. In his enthusiasm to see, Rafi rolls into and smudges the rangoli. Ariana thinks it is ruined, but the judges admire its unique appearance. Once Ariana is able to change her mindset, she, too, appreciates Rafi's enthusiasm and realizes she would not have as much fun without her younger sibling. Author notes provide more information about how various religious groups observe Diwali.

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