The Best Diwali Ever: questions to ask and activities to try
Ariana has big plans to make this Diwali extra special, and she is DEFINITELY going to win the rangoli competition. Everything would go perfectly, if it weren't for Rafi, her clumsy little brother. A funny story about Diwali and siblings.
What age is The Best Diwali Ever for?
The Best Diwali Ever is best for ages 4–7.
The Best Diwali Ever (Sonali Shah and Chaaya Prabhat)
- Age
- 4-7
- Best for
- Diwali, siblings and plans going wrong
Only 50pThe Best Diwali Ever 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 together and enjoy Rafi’s mischief. Talk about how Ariana felt when things went wrong, and what makes a celebration special besides winning.
Is this book right for your child?
- Age
- 4–7 (Reception to Year 2)
- What they'll enjoy
- Ariana has big plans to make this Diwali extra special, and she is DEFINITELY going to win the rangoli competition. Everything would go perfectly, if it weren't for Rafi, her clumsy little brother. A funny story about Diwali and siblings.
- Helps with
- Diwali, siblings and plans going wrong
- 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
- Sibling frustration
- Coping when plans go wrong
- What really matters at a celebration
Comprehension and discussion questions for The Best Diwali Ever
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.
- “What did Ariana want to win?”
- “What did Rafi keep doing?”
- “How did Ariana feel about her little brother?”
- “What made Diwali special in the end?”
- “Has a brother, sister or friend ever spoiled your plans? What happened?”
- “What makes a celebration the best ever for you?”
For the full list of questions and more, download the PDF below.
Print these questions: free question card for The Best Diwali Ever
All 6 questions for The Best Diwali Ever 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
Rangoli pattern
Make a rangoli pattern with coloured rice, lentils, chalk or paper shapes. Work on one pattern together, like a team.
Plan B
Think of a plan that went wrong. Together, think of two other ways it could still have been fun.
The Best Diwali Ever 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.
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Use it as a lesson plan
Children can listen to The Best Diwali Ever, answer questions about it and give a reason for their ideas, and talk about learning about Diwali.
A 20-minute session for ages 4–7 (Reception to Year 2), 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 together and enjoy Rafi’s mischief. Talk about how Ariana felt when things went wrong, and what makes a celebration special besides winning.
- Talk about it (4 minutes). Pick two or three of the comprehension and discussion questions above. “What did Ariana want to win?” works well to start.
- Activity (6 minutes). Do Rangoli pattern. Make a rangoli pattern with coloured rice, lentils, chalk or paper shapes. Work on one pattern together, like a team. Children who finish early can try Plan B.
- Wrap up (2 minutes). Ask each child for one thing they will remember from the story, and why.
Want to go further? The The Best Diwali Ever 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
Peace at Last (Jill Murphy)
- Best for
- Bedtime, and staying patient when things keep going wrong
- Age
- 2-5
The Bad Seed (Jory John and Pete Oswald)
- Best for
- Changing how you behave, and knowing you can always try again
- Age
- 4-8
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.