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The Best Diwali Books for Kids
There’s something truly magical about Diwali — twinkling diyas everywhere, the smell of sweets in the air, and that warm, festive buzz that fills every home!
And while we’re busy decorating, cooking, and celebrating, it’s also the perfect time to curl up with our kids and read stories that capture the sparkle of this season.
In this post, I’ve rounded up some of the most beautiful Diwali books for kids — Board Books, Picture Books, and Activity Books.
Whether your child is discovering Diwali for the first time or already waiting to burst their first phuljhari, these books will add a little extra glow to your celebrations!
BOARD BOOKS – Diwali Books for Kids
My Little Book of Lakshmi by Penguin India
Recommended Age – 0-5 years
The story is simple and engaging, and the illustrations are so charming that my little one couldn’t take their eyes off the pages. I also appreciated the fun facts and seek-and-find activities. This series is a wonderful way to introduce kids to Hindu mythology.
Baby’s First Diwali (Baby’s First Holidays) by DK
Recommended Age – 0-2 years
I recently read Baby’s First Diwali with my little one, and it’s such a bright, happy introduction to the festival! The colorful pictures instantly grab attention, and the short, simple sentences make it perfect for toddlers.
My Little Book of Diwali by Ashwitha Jayakumar, illustrated by Swarnavo Datta
Recommended Age – 3 years and up
A delightful introduction to the Festival of Lights, perfect for young readers. With simple language and vibrant illustrations, it beautifully captures the sights, sounds, and traditions of Diwali — from lighting diyas to sharing sweets.
Diwali (Celebrate the World) by Hannah Eliot, Archana Sreenivasan (Illustrator)
Recommended Age – 2-5 years
A beautifully illustrated board book that introduces young readers to the five days of Diwali. It captures the warmth of family gatherings, the sparkle of diyas, and the joy of celebrating light’s victory over darkness.
Busy Diwali (Busy Books) by Campbell Books, Darshika Varma (Illustrator)
Recommended Age – 1-5 years
This is an interactive board book that perfectly captures the excitement of the festival for little readers. With its push, pull, and slide tabs, children can light diyas, create rangoli, and watch fireworks come alive on each page.
My First Shloka Book Lakshmi by Chitwan Mittal Ma
Recommended Age – 1-5 years
A beautiful introduction to the goddess of wealth and prosperity for young readers. It presents a beloved Sanskrit shloka in a clear, engaging format — complete with transliteration, simple translation, and word meanings that make learning easy.
Diwali: Love and Light by Darshika Varma (An Our Neighborhood Series Board Book for Toddlers Celebrating Hindu Culture)
Recommended Age – 0-3 years
A heartwarming board book that beautifully captures the joy and togetherness of the Festival of Lights. It shows a Hindu family celebrating Diwali with diyas, fireworks, and festive feasts.
Let’s Celebrate Diwali by Mudpuppy, Sita Singha, illustrated by Nina Ghataora
Recommended Age – 2-4 years
With its delightful rhymes and colorful artwork, the book beautifully captures the sights, sounds, and flavors of Diwali — from glowing diyas and sparkling fireworks to festive treats like samosas and kaju katli.
PICTURE BOOKS
Binny’s Diwali by Thrity Umrigar, illustrated by Nidhi Chanani
Recommended Age – 4-8 years
Themes: Cultural Pride, Public Speaking, Diwali Traditions, Confidence, School Community
A young girl prepares to share her favorite holiday with her class—but nerves get the best of her at first. As she takes a deep breath and begins to speak, Binny finds her voice through the vibrant memories of fireworks, sweets, and glowing diyas.
Her joy becomes contagious as her classmates are drawn into the colors, tastes, and wonder of Diwali.
My Diwali Light by Raakhee Mirchandani, illustrated by Supriya Kelkar
Recommended Age – 4-8 years
My Diwali Light tells the story of Devi, a young girl who joyfully celebrates Diwali with her family and neighbors. Readers are invited into her world as she decorates diyas with her nani, makes mithai and rangoli with her papa, and enjoys samosas and laughter with loved ones.
Archie Celebrates Diwali by Mitali Banerjee Ruths, illustrated by Parwinder Singh
Recommended Age – 4-8 years
Themes: Diwali traditions, resilience, cultural pride, friendship, celebration
The story of a young girl who is excited to share her favorite holiday with her school friends at her family’s annual Diwali party.
Archie helps prepare decorations and food, looking forward to a perfect evening—until an unexpected thunderstorm knocks out the power and soaks the lights.
Just when things seem ruined, Archie learns that the true spirit of Diwali—light, joy, and togetherness—shines brightest from within.
Garland of Lighs: A Diwali Story by Chitra Soundar
Recommended Age – 0-5 years
Garland of Lights – A Diwali Story blends festive storytelling with early learning. As a family celebrates Diwali by lighting diyas, enjoying sweets, and sharing traditions, children count along with the glowing lamps.
Shubh Diwali! by Chitra Soundar, Illustrated by Charlene Chua
Recommended Age – 3-8 years
This is a delightful rhyming picture book that captures the excitement and sparkle of India’s Festival of Lights. The story follows a family as they prepare for and celebrate Diwali — making rangoli, lighting diyas, wearing new clothes, and sharing gifts and sweets. The rhymes flow naturally, making it a fun read-aloud without feeling overly explanatory.
The Light Within You by Namita Moolani Mehra, Illustrated by Kamala Nair
Recommended Age – 4-8 years
Diya is travelling from the U.S. to India to celebrate Diwali with her beloved Nani. From shopping in the bustling bazaar to lighting diyas together, Diya reconnects with her roots and finds joy in traditions she’s missed.
It’s Diwali by Kabir Sehgal, Surishtha Sehgal, Illustrated by Archana Sreenivasan
Recommended Age – 4-8 years
A rhythmic picture book that brings the Festival of Lights to life through the familiar tune of “One, Two, Buckle My Shoe.” Children can count along as they explore Diwali traditions — from painting mehndi and enjoying jalebis to watching dazzling fireworks. With pronunciation guides and cultural notes on each page, this book is both engaging and educational.
The Best Diwali Ever by Sonali Shah, illustrated by Chhaya Prabhat
Recommended Age – 4-6 years
This picture book captures the joy of Diwali and the warmth of sibling relationships. The story follows Ariana, who eagerly prepares for the festival — from making sweets and lighting diyas to creating colorful rangoli — while trying to keep her mischievous little brother, Rafi, from causing chaos.
Also available as a Board Book.
Diwali in My New Home by Shachi Kaushik, Illustrated by Aishwarya Tandon
Recommended Age – 5-7 years
A touching picture book that beautifully captures the experience of celebrating traditions far from home. When Priya moves to the United States, she misses the familiar Diwali festivities of India — until she decides to share the festival’s light and joy with her new neighbors.
A Sweet Diwali (Step into Reading) by Harshita Jerath, Illustrated by Geeta Ladi
Recommended Age – 4-6 years
A Sweet Diwali is a cheerful and easy-to-read story that perfectly introduces young readers to the joy and traditions of the Festival of Lights. It follows Raina and her adorable dog, Lion, as they prepare for Diwali.
With simple sentences, rhythmic text, and colorful illustrations, this Step 2 reader is ideal for children ages 4–6 who are beginning to read independently.
Raaga’s Song: A Diwali Story by Navina Chhabria
Recommended Age – 4-8 years
A beautifully written picture book that blends the magic of Diwali with an inspiring tale of self-confidence and courage. As Raaga prepares to sing at the Diwali mela, her grandfather’s retelling of Lord Rama’s victory over Ravana becomes a powerful metaphor for facing her own fears.
The story sensitively explores themes of colorism, self-worth, and inner strength, while celebrating family bonds and cultural pride.
The Festival of Lights: A Lift-the-Flap Diwali Celebration by Namita Moolani Mehra, illustrated by Darshika Varma
Recommended Age – 3-7 years
The Festival of Lights is a gloriously illustrated story that follows Aneesa and her family as they prepare for and celebrate Diwali, day by day. From cleaning the house and shopping at the bazaar to cooking delicious treats, creating rangoli, and lighting diyas, each page captures the warmth and excitement of the festival.
With 144 flaps to lift, children can discover hidden details and fascinating facts about Diwali traditions, making it an engaging, hands-on experience.
Once Upon a Diwali (Holidays in Our Home) by Anita Mishra, illustrated by Diah Chakraborty
Recommended Age – 5-9 years
A charming bedtime story that introduces children to the origins and traditions of Diwali. Through Riya’s eyes, readers explore the five-day festival — from decorating homes and preparing treats to visiting friends and family and enjoying fireworks — while learning that courage can help overcome fears.
The Diwali Gift by Shweta Chopra and Shuchi Mehta, illustrated by Anna Koan
Recommended Age – 2-5 Years
The story follows three curious monkeys — Suno, Dekho, and Jano — as they explore the festival’s traditions, including gift-giving, sweets, and rituals involving Ganesh and Lakshmi.
Counting to Diwali by S C Baheti, illustrated by Rohan Dahotre
Recommended Age – 4-6 years
Counting to Diwali is a bright and engaging way for children to learn both Hindi numbers and the joy of Diwali. The book highlights ten key aspects of the festival — from diyas and rangoli to sweets and fireworks — while teaching counting from one to ten in Hindi.
Divali Rose by Vashanti Rahaman, illustrated by Jamel Akib
Recommended Age – 2-6 years
Set in Trinidad, it follows young Ricki, who eagerly awaits the blooming of two special rosebuds promised by his grandfather to reflect the colors of Diwali. When a mishap leads to a misunderstanding with neighbors, Ricki must find the courage to confess the truth, learning about responsibility and integrity along the way.
Let’s Celebrate Diwali by Anjali Joshi, illustrated by Tim Palin
Recommended Age – 4-8 years
The book introduces young readers to the many ways Diwali is celebrated around the world. Following Harini and her multicultural classroom, children learn about Hindu, Sikh, Jain, and Buddhist Diwali traditions.
The 52 Princes: The Untold Diwali Story of Bandhi Chhor Divas by Sunny Osahn
Recommended Age – 4-8 years
The 52 Princes is a compelling retelling of a pivotal event in Sikh history, where Guru Hargobind Ji frees 52 Hindu princes — celebrated as Bandi Chhor Divas during Diwali.
Through the curious eyes of siblings Simran and Bani, young readers learn the significance of selflessness, compassion, and standing up for others. While some editions may have illustration issues, the narrative itself is strong.
Amma, Tell me about Diwali! by Bhakti Mathur, illustrations by Maulshree Somani
Recommended Age – 2-8 years
An informative picture book that introduces young readers to the stories, traditions, and meanings behind Diwali. Following brothers Klaka and Kiki, children explore festive activities like lighting diyas, bursting firecrackers, buying new clothes, and asking their Amma questions about the holiday.
The book beautifully weaves in the tales of Prince Rama’s homecoming and Goddess Lakshmi.
Lilu’s Rangoli by Devika Joglekar
Recommended Age – 3-9 years
Lilu’s Rangoli is a delightful picture book that introduces children to the beautiful Indian art of rangoli, an essential part of Diwali celebrations. When Lilu receives a rangoli book as a gift, she and her younger brother Kuku set out to create their own colorful designs using sand and flowers. Told in playful rhyme, this story encourages creativity, problem-solving, and sibling teamwork.
Other Books in the Series:
Lilu makes Diyas
Lilu’s Lantern
Lilu Makes Laddoos
Our Diwali: Humaari Diwali – A Bilingual Hindi English Story Celebrating the Meaning and Diversity of Deepavali by Aditi Wardhan Singh, Illustrated by Suja Dinesh
Recommended Age – 5-8 years
The story follows Taran, who initially only wants to enjoy fireworks, but through his family and friends, he learns why Deepavali is much more than just celebrations—it’s about togetherness, gratitude, and light triumphing over darkness.
The book showcases how Diwali is celebrated in different ways across India and among various faiths. The bilingual Hindi-English format—with translations and transliterations—makes it an excellent resource for families teaching or learning the Hindi language. The back of the book includes bonus facts and activities.
Sparkles of Joy: A Children’s Book that Celebrates Diversity and Inclusion by Aditi Wardhan Singh
Recommended Age – 4-8 years
The book Celebrates Diversity and Inclusion beautifully, bringing together the magic of Diwali, Christmas, and Hanukkah in a heartwarming story about friendship and cultural understanding. When Caleb, a new neighbor, joins Riya’s Diwali-themed playdate, the group of friends learns how celebrations from around the world can shine even brighter when shared.
‘Twas the Night Before Diwali by Zenia Wadhwani, illustrated by Manon Lariviere
Recommended Age – 4-10 years
T’was the Night Before Diwali is a delightful twist on the beloved holiday classic “T’was the Night Before Christmas.” Set on the eve of Diwali, piles of jalebis, chum chums, and gulab jamuns create a festive scene. A surprise visitor, the mischievous mithai monster, sneaks in to make the night even more memorable! Written in lyrical verse, this charming picture book perfectly captures the spirit of Diwali.
One Diwali Day: Festivals of the World by Dev Kothari, illustrated by Aditi Anand
Recommended Age – 4-6 years
A tender story that captures the warmth and wonder of celebrating Diwali through the eyes of a young boy named Ronak. As Ronak eagerly helps his family prepare for the festival of lights, his excitement is shadowed by one worry: will his sister make it home in time to celebrate? When she finally arrives, the celebration feels complete, reminding that the true light of Diwali comes from the people we love.
The Mithai Box Is Not Empty by Namrata Agarwal, illustrated by Parvati Pillai
Recommended Age – 4-8 years
A story about generosity, family, and the joy of sharing sweets. When Ria offers her favorite motichoor ladoos to everyone, she worries there won’t be any left for her—but her grandmother’s thoughtful surprise teaches her that kindness and self-care can go hand in hand.
My Diwali: Lights of Virtue by Priya Kumari & Komal Garg, illustrated by Abhilasha Khatri
Recommended Age – 4-8 years
The book tells the story of siblings Leela and Aadi as they discover the deeper meaning behind the five days of Diwali. When Aadi bravely stands up against something wrong, their parents share stories that explain how Diwali celebrates the victory of good over evil and the power of virtue.
Through their conversations, Leela and Aadi learn that the real light of Diwali shines within us — in our courage, honesty, and kindness. It’s a thoughtful story that connects mythological tales to everyday lessons for children.
Hurray for Diwali by Anita Thapan – Read Aloud
Recommended Age – 4-8 years
Hurray for Diwali is a cheerful story about a family celebrating Diwali together, with Mom, Dad, and the kids preparing for the festival while relatives visit from Mumbai. The book captures the excitement of decorating the home, lighting diyas, and enjoying festive foods, showing how traditions bring everyone together.
Reena and the Diwali Star by Ushma Multani, illustrated by Ann Gagliano
Recommended Age – 4-8 years
Reena and the Diwali Star brings the traditions and spirit of Diwali to life through Reena’s journey from Boston to Mumbai. Along the way, she learns about kindness, responsibility, and giving back to her community, all while enjoying festive activities and making a special new dessert. The book also includes interactive activities and a dessert recipe.
Lots of Lights by Kavita Sahai
Recommended Age – 2-5 years
A fun and simple introduction to Diwali, explaining the significance of each day of the festival in a way young children can easily understand. It’s perfect for helping kids connect with their culture while keeping the story fresh and relatable.
Leela’s Diwali Celebration by Gowri Nat, illustrated by Vikrant Singh – Read Aloud
Recommended Age – 4-8 years
This is the story of a little girl who travels from Seattle to Chennai to celebrate Diwali with her grandparents. Though Leela misses her friends back home, she soon finds joy in discovering India’s traditions, culture, and the true meaning behind the festival of lights.
Rani Saves Diwali by Anita Badhwar
Recommended Age – 2-5 years
Rani Saves Diwali is a sweet and simple story about Princess Rani, who steps up to save the day when the palace decorator can’t finish the Diwali decorations. Using her creativity and determination, Rani comes up with a clever plan to make sure the celebration goes on as planned.
EARLY READERS
Diwali with Yasmin by Saadia Faruqi, illustrated by Debby Rahmalia
Recommended Age – 5-8 years
Royal Diwali Artist (Queen Bee) by Priti Birla Maheshwari, illustrated by Rea Zhai
Recommended Age – 5-8 years
Queen Bee: Royal Diwali Artist follows Beena, affectionately known as Queen Bee, as she excitedly prepares for Diwali. She wants her rangoli to be absolutely perfect, but things don’t go as planned. Through her mistakes, Beena learns that Diwali isn’t about perfection, but about joy, creativity, and celebrating with loved ones.
BOOKS ON RAMAYANA
Junior Kumbhakarna by Arundhati Venkatesh
Recommended Age – 2-5 years
Junior Kumbhakarna is a playful retelling of the Ramayana story about the mighty giant who sleeps for six months straight. Every night, little Kukku asks his father to tell this tale—and soon drifts into a dream where he joins the chaos as everyone tries to wake Kumbhakarna.
With its humorous storytelling and vivid illustrations, this book turns a mythological episode into a fun bedtime adventure that kids will love.
Multilingual- Also available in Hindi, Malayalam, Kannada, Telugu, Gujarati, Tamil, Bengali, and Marathi.
Rama and the Demon King: An Ancient Tale from India by Jessica Souhami
Recommended Age – 2-4 years
Rama and the Demon King beautifully retells the ancient story of Rama’s courage and devotion as he rescues Sita from the fearsome demon king, Ravana. The book keeps the story simple while sharing the deeper message of good triumphing over evil.
Rama and Sita: The Story of Diwali by Malachy Doyle, illustrated by Christopher Corr
This is a simple and engaging retelling of the classic tale of Rama rescuing Sita from the demon king Ravana. The story captures the spirit of Diwali — the victory of light over darkness and good over evil.
Seeking Sita: The First Diwali by Tejal Toprani Misra, illustrated by Heather Clevenger
Recommended Age – 6-8 years
Seeking Sita tells the story of Sita’s courage and strength as she returns to Ayodhya after being taken by the evil King Ravan — an event that marks the very first Diwali. As the daughter of the Earth and the reincarnation of Goddess Laxmi, Sita’s story reminds readers that bravery can be both gentle and powerful.
NON-FICTION DIWALI BOOKS
Celebrating Diwali: History, Traditions, and Activities A HOLIDAY BOOK FOR KIDS by Anjali Joshi
Celebrating Diwali is a wonderful non-fiction book that helps children understand the meaning and traditions of Diwali. It explains the history and customs behind the festival while sharing hands-on activities like making ladoos, crafting diyas, and creating paper garlands. The book also includes fun facts, colorful illustrations, and even teaches how to say “Happy Diwali” in different Indian languages.
You can check if your local library carries these titles or purchase them using the links I’ve shared — a simple step toward diversifying your family’s bookshelf.
You can make your Diwali reading even more special by listening to some of these stories through their read-aloud videos. Where available, I’ve included links so you and your kids can follow along and enjoy the stories together.
ALSO READ>>> PICTURE BOOKS ABOUT INDIA – THE ULTIMATE LIST
