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Showing posts from November, 2007

Diwali: A Festival of Lights and Fun

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Diwali: Kushiyon Ka Tyohaar Diwali: A Festival of Lights and Fun Written by Manisha Kumar & Monica Kumar Illustrated by Sona & Jacob This bilingual book on Diwali is from Meera Masi, a Bay Area based cross-cultural publishing house with a mission to pass on the heritage of India to immigrant children, through books and other products on Indian languages and culture. A warm introduction on the essence of Diwali on the opening page sets the stage for the ensuing colors and rhymes that bring to life Diwali for our children. "We all love Diwali, it's so much fun. The festival of lights has now begun." Simple verses like the above alternating with brightly hued pictures, both, of a family celebration is what this book is about. All the fundamentals of the festival are laid out. The act of wearing new clothes, cleaning and decorating our houses, greeting families and friends, making rangoli , offering puja , lighting diyas , bursting crackers and of course eating