Diwali Lights. Rina Singh. Victoria, BC: Orca, August, 2018. 24 pp., boardbook., pdf & epub, $9.95 (pbk.). ISBN 978-1-4598-1908-5 (pbk.), ISBN 978-1-4598-1909-2 (pdf), ISBN 978-1-4598-1910-8 (epub). Preschool / Ages 2-4. Review by Inderjit Deogun. *** /4 Reviewed from Advance Reading Copy.

In her board book, Diwali Lights, Rina Singh returns to introduce young readers to the Hindu festival of Diwali which celebrates the victory of good over evil and light over darkness.

      Singh presents Diwali as a day full of bustling activity encouraging children to "open your eyes and greet the day". In fact, Singh has the day unfold one step at a time, illustrating all the fun events youngsters can expect to participate in.

Buy diyas, candles
and paper lanterns.

Boxes of sweets
and a silver trinket
just for you.

Light diyas
in endless rows,
firecrackers,
shiny sparklers—
the whole world
glows.

      Accompanying each activity is a photograph depicting children of Indian heritage filled with excitement, joy and wonder. Singh brings the vibrancy of the festival of lights to the page by incorporating bright colours in every spread.

      Diwali Lights is the perfect companion to Singh's first board book, Holi Colors.

Recommended.

Inderjit Deogun is a freelance editor/writer in Toronto, ON.

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