New children's book traces Diwali beyond the lights

Aditi Srivastava Modi has released Happy Diwali: A Hindu Festival of Lights to help children understand the five-day festival's rituals, stories and meaning. The book is aimed at families, educators and young readers who want more than the holiday's familiar visual symbols.

Why it matters: - Happy Diwali: A Hindu Festival of Lights aims to give children a clearer understanding of Diwali beyond fireworks, diyas, sweets and new clothes. - The book is designed to help families, librarians and educators explain why the festival's rituals, stories and relationships matter. - The focus is especially relevant for children growing up outside India, where cultural traditions may not be reinforced daily.

What happened: - Author Aditi Srivastava Modi released Happy Diwali: A Hindu Festival of Lights through Su Che Publishing. - The children's book follows Diwali across five days, from Dhanteras through Bhai Dooj. - The book covers preparation, prayer, family, prosperity and renewal. - The story includes Lord Rama's return to Ayodhya and the blessings associated with Goddess Lakshmi.

The details: - Modi says the book is meant to show children that a diya connects to the story of Rama returning to Ayodhya and the idea of light overcoming darkness. - The book is available in paperback and eBook formats. - Paperback ISBN is 979-8-90182-009-4. - eBook ISBN is 979-8-90182-008-7. - The book is distributed globally through Ingram, Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Google Play Books and other book retailers. - More information is available at Aditi Srivastava Modi's books.

Between the lines: - The book continues Modi's broader effort to introduce Indian festivals and cultural traditions to young readers. - Modi's previous books cover Lohri, Holi, Vaisakhi, Rath Yatra and Raksha Bandhan. - The series works to bridge the gap between familiar festival imagery and the deeper meaning behind each celebration. - For many families, the challenge is not celebrating the holiday itself but helping the next generation understand why the traditions exist.

What's next: - Modi is expected to keep expanding her children's catalog around Indian culture and festivals. - Su Che Publishing says it will continue focusing on children's books that celebrate culture, festivals and authentic regional traditions.

The bottom line: - Happy Diwali turns a familiar holiday into a teaching tool for children, centering the festival's history, rituals and values instead of just its lights.