A Vibrant Celebration of Family and Love on Diwali

In "One Diwali Day", author Dev Kothari tells a heartwarming story of family and love on the occasion of Diwali, one of the most significant festivals in Hinduism. The story centers around Ronak, a young boy who eagerly awaits the arrival of his big sister, Dida, and his attempts to distract himself from his worry. Through a beautiful and vibrant celebration of the festival, Kothari shares the importance of family, religion, and the power of positivity in the face of anxiety.

Key Takeaways:

• The story of "One Diwali Day" is a moving and refreshing take on Diwali, highlighting the importance of family and love during the festival.
• Author Dev Kothari uses literary devices such as repetition and onomatopoeia to create a clean and easy-to-read text that captures the essence of the festival.
• The mixed-media art in the book is vibrant and colorful, featuring items discussed in the text and blurring background objects to redirect focus on the main character.
• The story shares the very real concerns of a young boy who loves his sister and finds comfort through his family and religion.
• The book includes back matter with recipes for making Diwali pedas and instructions for making a Diwali lantern, accompanied by illustrations and easy-to-find ingredients and materials.
• The activities are simple enough for parents to do with their children and won't break the bank.
• The book is a must-have purchase for every library, as stated by reviewer Rachel Zuffa.

Statistics:

• The book "One Diwali Day" was published in September 2025.
• The book has 32 pages and is aimed at readers in the PreS-Gr 2 age range.
• The book costs $18.99 and has an ISBN of 9781536247473.
• The story features a young boy, Ronak, as the main character.
• The book includes a total of 5 recipes and instructions for making a Diwali lantern.

Sources:

• KOTHARI, Dev. One Diwali Day. illus. by Aditi Anand. 32p. (Festivals of the World). Candlewick. Sept. 2025. Tr $18.99. ISBN 9781536247473.