Books that celebrate Diwali

Diwali, or the festival of lights, is celebrated all around the world each October – and there are lots of ways to join in the fun! Here’s our pick of the best children’s books about Diwali.

An illustration from the front cover of Binny's Diwali - a child holding a diya as a light emerges from it and swirls around them
  • Let’s Celebrate! Festival poems from around the world

    illustrated by Shirin Adl 

    2011 5 to 14 years 

    • Around the world
    • Poetry and rhyme

    Everyone loves a celebration and with this lively, multicultural, poetry anthology there is an excuse to celebrate almost all year round

  • The Best Diwali Ever

    by Sonali Shah, illustrated by Chaaya Prabhat 

    2021 2 to 9 years 

    Ariana is super excited for Diwali – she’s looking forward to yummy sweets, playing with her cousins, and wearing a lovely outfit – and staying up late to watch fireworks, of course! A gorgeous and relatable book. 

  • Little Glow

    by Katie Sahota, illustrated by Harry Woodgate 

    2021 2 to 7 years 

    • Disability

    This glimmering, gorgeous book is a gentle story that showcases the amazing celebrations of light across different communities, including Lunar New Year, Diwali, Hanukkah and Ramadan.

  • The Night Before Diwali

    by Swapna Haddow, illustrated by Darshika Varma 

    2025 3 to 5 years 

    • Picture books

    A young boy and his grandmother prepare for the best Diwali ever while the rest of their family are asleep. A beautiful depiction of Diwali traditions with rhyming text and a yummy recipe to try. 

  • Binny’s Diwali

    by Thrity Umrigar, illustrated by Nidhi Chanani 

    2020 4 to 9 years 

    • Picture books

    It’s Diwali and Binny is so excited! She has a snazzy new outfit to wear and lots of beautiful streamers and sweet treats to share with her classmates. A charming picture book celebrating the joy of Diwali, just one of the thousands of religious festivals around the world.

  • Stories for South Asian Super Girls

    by Raj Kaur Khaira, illustrated by Anu Chouhan, Deepikah R Bhardwaj, Kokila Bhattacharya, Meenal Patel, Nazrina Rodjan, Poonam Saini, Raj Kaur, Sandeep Johal, Suman Kaur and Vinny Soor 

    2019 5 to 14 years 

    • Historical
    • Non-fiction

    This beautifully illustrated collection of 50 biographies showcases a huge range of historical and modern-day South Asian women’s stories and achievements. 

  • Anisha, Accidental Detective: Show Stoppers

    by Serena Patel, illustrated by Emma McCann 

    2021 5 to 14 years 

    • Chapter books
    • Funny

    When disaster threatens to ruin the school musical, Anisha is on high alert for things that are not quite right’. Her detective brain will have the mystery solved in no time… with just a few wrong turns along the way. Another entertaining addition to the Accidental Detective series.

  • Tales from India

    by Bali Rai 

    2017 5 to 14 years 

    • Adventure
    • Around the world
    • Myths and legends
    • Short stories

    Discover India’s rich folk-tale heritage and ancient cultures, with this captivating collection of both popular and lesser known, mostly secular Indian folk tales – reworked for a modern audience.

  • India, Incredible India

    by Jasbinder Bilan, illustrated by Nina Chakrabarti 

    2022 5 to 9 years 

    • Around the world
    • Non-fiction

    A vibrantly colourful celebration of India, its people, history and wildlife. A beautiful and fascinating book to dip into and pore over.

  • Goddess: 50 Goddesses, Spirits, Saints and Other Female Figures Who Have Shaped Belief

    by Dr Janina Ramirez, illustrated by Sarah Walsh 

    2022 9 to 14 years 

    • Historical
    • Myths and legends
    • Non-fiction

    Goddesses, spirits, saints and other female figures in world religions, faiths and practices are a fascinating and empowering subject to learn about. In Dr Ramirez’s brilliant book, 9–12 year-olds will be fascinated to learn about 50 key figures from around the world.