Greetings, my friends!

So… not QUITE done with Halloweensie judging yet…, but I’m hoping to have the finalists posted tomorrow or Sunday! I promised to share this book for Perfect Picture Book Friday today, but all the contest entries are still posted for your reading pleasure HERE.

Meanwhile, we can celebrate today by announcing the winner of a copy of ALWAYS SISTERS from the last PPBF before Halloweensie, and that the lucky winner is Kate Grimm! Congratulations, Kate! Please email me with your snail mail address so I can send it along to you!

Also, I have a copy of today’s Perfect Picture Book to give away and all you have to do is leave a comment below between now and Thursday November 16th at 3 PM Eastern to qualify for the random drawing!

So let’s have a look at this bit of picture book perfection! 😊

Title: The Light Within You

Written By: Namita Moolani Mehra

Illustrated By: Kamala Nair

Publisher: Two Lions (fiction, September 26, 2023)

Suitable For Ages: 4-8

Themes/Topics: holidays (Diwali), being yourself, moving, making friends

text copyright Namita Moolani Mehra, 2023, illustration copyright Kamala Nair, 2023, Two Lions

Opening:
“DIYA WAS READY!
She was going to visit her grandma in India
for Diwali – the FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS!

Diya hadn’t seen Nani in a long time. . .
not since they moved from India.“

Brief Synopsis: Diya is excited to be going to India for Diwali, the Festival of Lights and see her beloved grandma, who she hasn’t seen since her family moved from India. 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?

text copyright Namita Moolani Mehra, 2023, illustration copyright Kamala Nair, 2023, Two Lions

Links To Resources: Today we are lucky enough to have a chat with author, Namita Mehra! She will tell a little about her inspiration for the book and some wonderful things you can do along with reading it!

SLH: Thank you for joining us, Namita! What was the inspiration for the book?

NMM: As a mom of Indian origin but who has lived outside of India for two-thirds of my life, I wanted to tell a Diwali story that third-culture/Indian diaspora kids like myself could relate to…and also a story that ALL children can relate to! A lot of Diwali books have focused on the religious story or mythology or simply focus on the fun bits like dressing up and fireworks and stuff….but I wanted to go deeper into the emotions of celebrating a festival for a child who lives away from their country of origin. I wanted to get into the spiritual meaning of this festival and how we can fill our lives with the essence of Diwali not just on one day of the year, but every single day!

SLH: What do you hope readers will take away from your story?

NMM: I hope that young readers will take away that while holidays are fun and filled with joy, there can also be difficult moments that dim our light and that is okay. We can carry multiple emotions and share our feelings with someone we love and trust. Diwali is more than a festival, it’s the light within you– its about celebrating the goodness within us and believing in ourselves and our own inner strength. 

Children can enjoy a laddoo making activity after reading the book (just like the laddoos Diya makes with Nani) – it is an easy no-cook recipe that can be found here https://www.namitamehra.com/the-light-within-you

or they can enjoy diya painting- purchase clay diyas online or at your nearest Indian market and paint them with acrylic paint. Glitter and sequins can be used to stick on and place a colorful tea-light in the diya. It is lovely to say the Diwali affirmation at the back of the book, while lighting your diya!

SLH: Thank you so much for sharing, Namita!

Why I Like This Book: This lovely book explores the idea of finding yourself and being yourself no matter where you are. It is challenging for Diya to move to a new place where everything feels different including herself. A return trip to India reminds her of everything she loves about the place that feels like home, and gives her a chance to see her beloved Nani who she hasn’t seen for a long time and has missed so much. In India everything feels warm and familiar and good. Nani helps Diya to see that she holds that warmth and goodness and all her love and memories inside her and she can shine her light wherever she goes. The book also gives young readers a glimpse of how Diwali is celebrated and includes an Author’s Note about Diwali, a glossary, and a Diwali Affirmation that kids can say on Diwali. The vibrant art is rendered in digital media and glows with warmth and color.

I hope you enjoy it as much as I do 😊

For the complete list of books with resources, please visit Perfect Picture Books.

PPBF folks, please add your titles and post-specific blog links (and any other info you feel like filling out 😊) to the form below so we can all come see what fabulous picture books you’ve chosen to share this week!

Have a wonderful weekend, everyone! 😊