One Little Lamp: questions to ask and activities to try
Diwali is coming and Jai's family is celebrating, but Jai notices that not everyone feels the same joy: Izzy the new girl at school seems lonely, and their neighbour Mrs Carter has a sad smile. So Jai sets out to spread a little light.
What age is One Little Lamp for?
One Little Lamp is best for ages 4–8.
One Little Lamp (Rashmi Sirdeshpande and Navya Raju)
- Age
- 4-8
- Best for
- Diwali and kindness to people who feel left out
Only 50pOne Little Lamp activity sheet3 printable pages: questions to talk about, a drawing and writing page, and notes for the grown-up. Instant PDF.
Just want the questions? Get the free question card ↓
Read it in the run-up to Diwali. Talk about who might feel lonely at festival times, and one small kind thing your family could do for them.
Is this book right for your child?
- Age
- 4–8 (Reception to Year 3)
- What they'll enjoy
- Diwali is coming and Jai's family is celebrating, but Jai notices that not everyone feels the same joy: Izzy the new girl at school seems lonely, and their neighbour Mrs Carter has a sad smile. So Jai sets out to spread a little light.
- Helps with
- Diwali and kindness to people who feel left out
- Buy or borrow?
- Borrow it from the library first if you can. If your child asks for it again and again, it’s one worth owning, and the questions and activities on this page work best with the book open next to you.
What it helps with
- Learning about Diwali
- Noticing when others feel sad
- Kindness
- Including new people
Comprehension and discussion questions for One Little Lamp
Pick two or three, not all of them. “I don’t know” is a fine answer, and you can always come back to it another day.
- “How was Jai’s family getting ready for Diwali?”
- “Who did Jai notice was feeling sad or lonely?”
- “What did Jai decide to do?”
- “How did his idea spread?”
- “Who might feel lonely at festival times?”
- “What small thing could you do to bring someone joy?”
For the full list of questions and more, download the PDF below.
Print these questions: free question card for One Little Lamp
All 6 questions for One Little Lamp on one printable page, each marked with the reading skill it practises. Enter your email and download it straight away.
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5-minute activities to try together
Little light of kindness
Draw a diya and write or draw one kind thing you’ll do this week inside its flame.
Welcome card
Make a card for a neighbour or a new child at school wishing them a happy festival.
One Little Lamp activity sheet: printable worksheet and questions
All the questions and activities above on a ready-to-print activity sheet: questions tagged by reading skill with space to answer, a drawing and writing page with a self-check, and notes for the adult with curriculum links and a 20-minute session plan. Pay by card, PayPal or Payhip and download straight away.
- Page 1, talk about it: questions about the story, each tagged with the reading skill it practises, with space to answer or tick
- Page 2, my favourite part: a drawing box, a sentence starter and a “how did I do?” self-check
- Page 3, notes for the adult: curriculum links, a 20-minute session plan, extension activities, and support and challenge ideas
- Read it togetherEnjoy the story first.
- Ask 2 or 3 questionsFrom the list above, while everyone is calm.
- Print the activity sheetAn activity sheet with questions, a drawing page and notes for you.
Diwali bundleDiwali activity pack + 8 activity sheets, this one includedThe 8 books:One Little LampAmma, Tell Me About Diwali!Binny's DiwaliThe Best Diwali EverDiwali (Celebrate the World)First Festivals: DiwaliPeppa's DiwaliLittle Glow£6.99🛒 Shop · £1.25
3 sheets for £1.25One Little Lamp + The Smartest Giant in Town + SuperwormThe 3 books:One Little LampThe Smartest Giant in TownSuperworm£1.25 Pick your own books: build a bundle with this one, up to 15% off →
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Use it as a lesson plan
Children can listen to One Little Lamp, answer questions about it and give a reason for their ideas, and talk about learning about Diwali.
A 20-minute session for ages 4–8 (Reception to Year 3), for a class, a small group or one child at home.
- Warm up (2 minutes). Show the cover and read the title. Ask: “What do you think this story will be about?”
- Read aloud (6 minutes). Read it all the way through. Tip: Read it in the run-up to Diwali. Talk about who might feel lonely at festival times, and one small kind thing your family could do for them.
- Talk about it (4 minutes). Pick two or three of the comprehension and discussion questions above. “How was Jai’s family getting ready for Diwali?” works well to start.
- Activity (6 minutes). Do Little light of kindness. Draw a diya and write or draw one kind thing you’ll do this week inside its flame. Children who finish early can try Welcome card.
- Wrap up (2 minutes). Ask each child for one thing they will remember from the story, and why.
Want to go further? The One Little Lamp activity sheet has these questions with space to answer, a drawing and writing page, and notes for the adult.
If your child liked this, try
The Invisible String (Patrice Karst)
- Best for
- Being apart at drop-off, a sleepover or the start of school
- Age
- 4-7
The Day You Begin (Jacqueline Woodson and Rafael López)
- Best for
- Feeling different, and finding the courage to share your story
- Age
- 5-8
Little Glow (Katie Sahota and Harry Woodgate)
- Best for
- Festivals of light, seen by a shy little flame
- Age
- 3-7
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By the Growing Wise team · Last reviewed: 29 October 2026
Growing Wise offers educational ideas for parents and carers. It is not a substitute for professional medical, developmental or mental-health advice. As an Amazon Associate, Growing Wise earns from qualifying purchases.