PICTURE BOOK REVIEW: The Light Within You by Namita Moolani Mehra, illustrated by Kamala Nair
ABOUT THE BOOK
Diya is excited to be going to India for Diwali, the Festival of Lights. That means she’ll get to spend time with Nani, her beloved grandma, who she hasn’t seen since her family moved from India. Now India is 7,850 miles away…
Once Diya arrives in India, she immediately feels at home with Nani. Together they go shopping at the bazaar and prepare for the festival. As Diya and Nani celebrate Diwali together, Diya’s heart soars. But all too soon, her trip will come to an end. Is there a way for Diya to take some of the light and magic of Diwali with her when she leaves?
ABOUT THE AUTHOR & ILLUSTRATOR
Namita Moolani Mehra is a children’s book author, cookbook author, and food and parenting writer. She wrote the picture book Anni Dreams of Biryani, illustrated by Chaaya Prabhat, and the children’s cookbooks The Magic Spicebox and Superfoods for Superheroes. Namita also runs a social-impact business called Indian Spicebox that helps fund hot meals for underprivileged children in India. Namita was born in a remote village in Nigeria, grew up in the UK and India, studied in Chicago, and worked in New York for over a decade. She currently lives in Singapore with her husband and two children. Learn more at www.namitamehra.com, and follow her on Twitter @namstwit.
REVIEW
The gorgeous cover drew me to this book the moment I saw it. After reading it, I'm glad it did. Not only does the book highlight a holiday that many children (and myself) don't know much about, but it gives a glimpse into what it's like to move far from home and try to establish a life in an unfamiliar place. Diya eagerly anticipates returning to India to visit her Nani for Diwali, the Festival of Lights. Diya's been struggling to find her place at her new school. As she prepares to celebrate Diwali with her Nani, she wishes she could stay in India. Thankfully, Nani finds a way to help Diya return to her new home and find a way to make new friends. The author's note in the back matter gives additional information about Diwali. The inclusion of a glossary helps explain some of the words that are likely to be unfamiliar to readers. Not only are the illustrations lovely with a wide-eyed, appealing Diya (rendered in digital media), but the story is relatable and empathy-encouraging. A winner all the way around.
SAMPLE ILLUSTRATIONS
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