NummyBooks

Divali Rose

Divali Rose
Vashanti Rahaman
Illustr. Jamel Akib

Ages 4-8

Hardcover, 32 pages

11 x 8.8 x 0.5 inches

Boyds Mills Press

ISBN: 978-1590785249

$16.95

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This sweet story of Divali (also Diwali), a holiday celebrated by millions of Hindus worldwide, features Ricki, who lives in Trinidad. His grandfather is eagerly anticipating the blooms on his Divali-colored rosebushes, and Ricki is eager to see what “Divali color” will be. When he accidentally snaps off one of the precious buds, he is faced with a difficult decision. As his grandfather begins blaming the neighbors for the “theft,” Ricki summons the courage to confess his mistake. In the process, the once-suspected neighbors become potential friends.

A theme of cultural origins, pride, and prejudice runs through this simple picture book text. While the grandfather reveres his ancestors, who came to Trinidad from India generations ago, he is suspicious of the “not real Indians” who have just arrived – their new neighbors. In brief, masterfully written dialogue, Rahaman successfully captures some of the nuances of Trinidadian English in his characters’ dialogue. His main character, Ricki, sees (and suggests to his grandfather) how these “new Indians” are courageous in the same way that their Indian ancestors were. This book could spark interesting school classroom as well as home discussions about diversity, suspicion and blame, cultural ancestry, and forgiveness.

Jamel Akib’s painterly pastel illustrations feature expressive close-ups and neighborhood scenes that give the reader a quick trip to Trinidad.

So much to recommend in this book! This warm story includes a one-page discussion at back of Divali, the Festival of Lights, as well as the Trinidad Indians and their particular English dialect.

Adults and children alike love learning about different faiths and traditions.

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Ceci Miller owns CeciBooks, an editorial and book publishing consultancy that empowers authors to write, publish, and market irresistible books that uplift and inspire. Ceci has written, co-authored, and edited books with bestselling authors and experts since 1988. See new and popular book projects. Also . . . Find expert information on writing, publishing, and marketing a book in CeciBooks Chats (Getting Started series is FREE).A graduate of the University of Iowa Writer’s Workshop, Ceci Miller is also the author of two published children’s picture books, and former contributing editor for Darshan, an international magazine. A student of yoga and meditation since 1976, Ceci leads seminars that explore language as a vehicle for personal transformation. Based on her book Sacred Visitations, and the popular book she co-authored with John Lee, Writing from the Body, Ceci’s work (both with CeciBooks authors and in public programs) blends writing, intuitive guidance, and contemplative practices that connect right brain creativity with your true intention.