Celebrate Diwali with the best Diwali Books for Kids! This hand-picked collection shares the various traditions of the festival of lights.
It’s festival season, it’s time to share with you the best Diwali Books for Kids! This book collection has grown over the years to be able to share with you the various traditions observed during the festival of lights with kids.
Here are my top picks of Diwali children’s books for how to explain Diwali to a child to go along with our popular Diwali crafts for kids!
Disclosure: This post contain Amazon Affiliate links. All opinions expressed are my own.
Top Picks of Diwali Books for Kids
You’re in luck! The volume of adorable Diwali books for kids have grown quite a bit in the past few years, since I had my oldest daughter 18 years ago. I remember searching and searching for just one book to explain Diwali to kids at school, and now there are so many options!
This Diwali book list shares a collection of unique stories, each carrying on the traditions that have existed in many Hindu families over the years. A wonderful way to explore this festival of lights.
Diwali Picture Books for Kids
Let’s Celebrate 5 Days of Diwali! by Ajanta Chakraborty
Shubh Diwali! by Chitra Soundar (Listen to Read Aloud)
The Light Within You by Namita Moolani Mehra
Binny’s Diwali by Thrity Umrigar (Listen to the Read Aloud)
Diwali (Celebrate the World) by Hannah Eliot (Listen to Read Aloud)
Diwali: A Festival of Lights (Little Golden Book) by Anita Yasuda
Ganesha’s Sweet Tooth by Sanjay Patel/Emily Haynes (Listen to Read Aloud)
My Diwali: Lights of Virtue by Priya Kumari & Komal Garg
Hurray for Diwali by Anita Thapan
It’s Diwali! by Kabir & Surishtha Sehgal (Listen to Read Aloud)
Reena and the Diwali Star by Ushma Multani
My Diwali Light by Raakhee Mirchandani
Lots of Lights by Kavita Sahai
Diwali in My New Home by Shachi Kaushik
Archie Celebrates Diwali by Mitali Banerjee Ruths (Listen to Read Aloud)
The Best Diwali Ever by Sonali Shah
Happy Diwali! by Sanyukta Mathur
Raaga’s Song: A Diwali Story by Navina Chhabria
A Sweet Diwali by Harshita Jerath
Garland Of Lights: A Diwali Story by Chitra Soundar
Diwali by Sital Gorasia Chapman
Our Diwali by Aditi Singh
Simba’s First Diwali by H R
Amma, Tell Me About Diwali! by Bhakti Mathur (Listen to Read Aloud)
Once Upon a Diwali (Holidays in Our Home) by Anita Mishra
Rani Saves Diwali by Anita Badhwar
The Diwali Gift by Shweta Chopra and Shuchi Mehta (Listen to Read Aloud)
Let’s Celebrate Diwali by Anjali Joshi (Listen to the Read Aloud)
Lighting a Lamp: A Diwali Story by Jonny Zucker (Listen to Read Aloud)
Rama and Sita: The Story of Diwali Books for Children
These books focus on the story of Diwali that focus around the Hindu Gods Rama and Sita. I’ve shared a kid friendly video below too to watch and learn more about The Story of Diwali. 
Rama & Sita: The Story Of Diwali by Malachy Doyle (Listen to Read Aloud)
Prince of Fire: The Story of Diwali by Jatinder Nath Verma
The Story of Diwali: Rama & Sita by Jay Anika
Diwali Books for Toddlers
Start early with your toddlers and babies learning about Diwali.
Baby’s First Diwali (Baby’s First Holidays)
Peppa Pig: Peppa’s Diwali (Listen to Read Aloud)
The Dinosaurs Diwali Adventure 
by Jay Anika
My Divine Friends Board Book by Manasa Gautam and Aarthi Uma
My favorite baby book about Hinduism is My Divine Friends Board Book by Manasa Gautam and Aarthi Uma. It’s a touch and feel book about Hindu Gods. The illustrations are worthy of framing, it’s that good.
Diwali Non-Fiction Books
There’s something quite magical about the festival of lights and seeing it in person. I’ll never forget the first time we experience it in India as a family with my inlaws in their home and neighborhood.
Here are some non-fiction books with real images of families celebrating Diwali, which is also known as Deepawali.
You can learn more about What is Diwali here.
Holidays Around the World: Celebrate Diwali: With Sweets, Lights, and Fireworks by National Geographic
Diwali: Festival of Lights (Orca Origins) by Rina Singh 
It’s Diwali! (Bumba Books ® ― It’s a Holiday!) by Richard Sebra
Diwali (Holidays and Festivals) by Acorn
Read Aloud Diwali Books
As you look at each of the books, I went ahead and found a Read Aloud of the story on youtube for you as well. It’s always fun to hear others read stories to our child, especially when you’re learning about holidays that happens around the world.
Support the Diwali authors by selecting your favorite to purchase at your local bookstore or through our links to Amazon by clicking on the image or link. We want to support them to continue to see more diverse books for our children to explore their world through books.
My personal favorite book to teach kids about Diwali is Shubh Diwali! 
We’ve selected this book for our Virtual Book Club for Kids featured book of the week. You can check out more activity ideas below and on our Book Club Site and Virtual Book Club for Kids Facebook Group.
Book Extension Ideas for Diwali Activities
There are so many fun ways to extend these books with activities for your child. Here are several Diwali Activities to do to learn more about the traditions during the festival of lights.
You’ll find diyas, rangolis, and even pretend play Indian sweet to do with your child.
Rangoli Craft Idea for Kids for Diwali
8 Easy Diwali Craft Ideas for Kids
Flower Rangoli Craft for Diwali
Pretend Play Diwali Sweets with Cardamom Playdough
Making Indian Samosas with Kids
Diya Craft with Playdough and Beads
Which Diwali craft or activity will you try first? Tell us in the comments below or share on social media and tag us!
Diwali Activity Books for Kids
One special Diwali gift to give to a child is one of these Diwali Activity books! A fun way to learn about the holiday and make a keepsake for their Diwali.
Here are a few of my favorites:
Little First Stickers Diwali by Holly Bathie
Shlokas and Mantras – Activity Book For Kids by Wonder House Books
My Diwali Coloring Book by Moksha Publishing
Diwali 50 Activity Book: Storytime, Dance-along, Craft, Recipes, Puzzles, Word games, Coloring & More! by Ajanta Chakraborty and Vivek Kumar
Origami for Diwali by Robyn Hardyman
The Story Of Rama & Sita Coloring Book by Jay Anika
You can also try these 8 Easy Diwali Crafts Ideas for Kids!
How to explain Diwali to a child
These Diwali books walk you through the traditions of families across the globe as they learn from family members. It’s so essential to teach kids to respect differences in others.
Let’s work together to help our children understand and respect different faiths. Perhaps take time this festival season to read to your child’s class or friend circle a Diwali book.
Here’s how we started talking about Diwali with my daughters when they were young with their preschool classes.
Click now to learn more about how to teach: What is Diwali
Wishing you a very special Diwali! Enjoy the festival season with these adorable Diwali Books for all ages!
Amazing ideas for Diwali!
Akila
learnwithchotu