French district helping teacher Pooja Pabari recommends The Best Diwali Ever or Le plus beau Diwali by Sonali Shah.
The Best Diwali Ever by Sonali Shah is a lovely story that introduces readers to the excitement and traditions of celebrating Diwali. Ariana is excited to make Diwali extra special this year, and win the rangoli competition. But things don’t go according to plan because of Rafi, her clumsy, mischievous little brother. In the end, she realizes that celebrating with family is truly what makes the best Diwali.
Diwali is celebrated each year in October or November by Hindu, Sikh, Jain and some Buddhist communities around the world. Diwali, also known as the festival of lights, is a special time of year that celebrates the triumph of light over darkness and good over evil. The word Diwali comes from a Sanskrit word meaning “rows of lighted lamps.” During this beautiful celebration, homes, shops and public spaces are decorated with colourful lights, candles and traditional oil lamps called diyas. Families celebrate by decorating their homes, creating colourful rangoli patterns, sharing delicious sweets and special meals, exchanging gifts, offering prayers and spending quality time with loved ones. Although traditions may look different from family to family, Diwali is a time of joy, togetherness, gratitude and new beginnings. This year, it will be celebrated on November 8.
As a teacher, I believe it is important for students to learn about different cultures, traditions and celebrations from around the world. Sharing stories about Diwali provides an opportunity for students to develop an understanding and appreciation of the festival, while also helping children who celebrate Diwali feel represented and connected to what they see in the classroom.
Books like The Best Diwali Ever help create meaningful classroom conversations, encourage curiosity and allow students to learn about celebrations that may be different from their own. It is also a wonderful way to build a classroom community where everyone’s traditions and backgrounds are valued and celebrated.
The colourful illustrations and festive theme make this book a lovely addition to any classroom or school library, especially during the Diwali season. It is a great book to share during a read-aloud as a starting point for discussions about cultural traditions, or as part of a classroom celebration of Diwali.
The Best Diwali Ever (Le plus beau Diwali) is available in SD42 libraries in English and French.
- Continue the celebration with the Diwali Virtual Library (click the images to browse).
