Shubh Diwali! – Book Review

Book Review
Shubh Diwali!
Written by Chitra Soundar
Illustrated by Charlene Chua
Published September 2019

Son's Review
(Age: 4 and 1/2)
What it's about:
Like, it's about celebrating at night and getting ready at day and no time to rest because it's Shubh Diwali time.

What is interesting to learn:
It's interesting to learn about Rangoli art. Because I've never seen Rangoli art. I've seen the pattern in books.

On celebrating with the family in the book:
I would like to celebrate with this family because of giving presents, yummy food, and staying up late, and going outside late at night, and wearing new clothes - but fancy!

On what looks fun:
How Grandpa's taking pictures of his food.

On sharing your celebrations with the book family:
I would like to celebrate Christmas. I would like to bake cookies and I would like to make yummy treats and I would like to make good food. And I would also like to cut down a Christmas tree and put it where we put Christmas trees.

On similarities to his holidays:
With like gifts, yummy food, and candles. And fireworks and games. And chocolate and presents and cake!

On the best part of the book:
Where they're giving away stuff because I kind of like giving away stuff and I kind of don't like giving away stuff. I like it because then I can get new things, but I don't like it 'cuz then I don't have that stuff anymore.

Mom's Review
A young girl takes readers through the preparation and practices surrounding her family's Diwali celebrations. This is a rhyming book, and if you've been reading this blog, you know that rhymes will make or break a picture book for me. Well, Chitra Soundar executes them perfectly! There's just enough rhythm to make the read-aloud fun, but somehow it's not so overpowering that I am forced to sing/rap Shubh Diwali!

I like that T and I learned about Diwali through a story instead of an informational text. It was more fun and it held his interest. T loved pointing out the different things that the family was doing, and he especially enjoyed the family dog's antics (getting tangled in a mango leaf bunting and playing cards with the moms and grandma late at night). We were both interested to see the Rangoli art and read about it; we've seen the rice flour art in other books and the patterns the grandmother makes are familiar to us.

Our experience of Diwali is twofold. We attend our museum's annual Diwali Day and we've celebrated a friend's Diwali-themed birthday. Even so, we have known next to nothing about the holiday. I am embarrassed by my ignorance. Shubh Diwali! has helped with this. As the daughter of the family shares her activities, she also explains why she does them, at a very basic level ("We wear new clothes to mark the cheer," "Rangoli art dispels the gloom," and "Time for stories about our gods. Who fought evil against all odds.") Back matter goes into much more detail.

Shubh Diwali! is an ideal fit for T. He can identify with holiday prep, recognize the Rangoli art patterns, and compare his celebrations with the little girl's. He and I both have a better understanding of Diwali (me from the back matter). We have a happy story to read. And we have a fun game to play while reading a cute picture book: spot the doggie's funny antics!

A few things to consider, in case you are seeking them out:
• Chitra Soundar is an Indian-born author. Charlene Chua grew up in Singapore.
• Charlene Chua's illustrations show cartoon-like characters, focusing on what appears to be an Indian-American family who shares the holiday with an interracial family (Indian mom, white dad) and gives Diwali gifts to various neighbors who appear Asian, black, and white. The message is clear: this book is intended for diverse readers.
• The grandfather is taking photos of dinner with his phone, giving the impression of a foodstagrammer.
• Back matter elaborates on the differences in Diwali practices of Hindus in northern and southern India, Sikhs, Jains, and Buddhists. An outline names and explains the five days of Diwali. A glossary defines a few terms and guides pronunciation.

Why we chose this book:
We attend Diwali Day at our local museum each year, but don't actually know much more than it being a festival of lights. In an attempt to remedy our ignorance, we read Shubh Diwali! A review copy was provided by Albert Whitman & Company in exchange for an honest review.