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Diwali books for kids: what it is and how to celebrate

When is Diwali? Sunday 8 November 2026; then Friday 29 October 2027.

Diwali bundle cover
🪔 Diwali bundleFestival pack + 8 activity sheets

A festival pack with the story of Rama and Sita, why each tradition matters, Diwali around the world (Sikh, Jain, Nepal and more), a 12-question quiz with answers, colouring, a clay diya craft, questions to talk about, a family checklist and a memories page, plus a printable sheet for 8 books: Amma, Tell Me About Diwali!, Binny's Diwali, The Best Diwali Ever, One Little Lamp, Diwali (Celebrate the World), First Festivals: Diwali, Peppa's Diwali, Little Glow. Separate PDFs, instant download.

£6.99 Buy the pack + 8 sheets See what's inside →

What is Diwali?

Diwali (Deepavali) is the festival of lights, celebrated by Hindus, Sikhs, Jains and some Buddhists over several days in October or November. Homes are lit with clay lamps (diyas) and fairy lights, families wear new clothes, share sweets, draw rangoli patterns and watch fireworks. Different faiths remember different stories, but all celebrate light winning over darkness.

Who celebrates Diwali, and books for each

Hindu

Hindus celebrate the return of Rama and Sita to Ayodhya after defeating Ravana, when people lit lamps to welcome them home, and pray to Lakshmi, goddess of wealth and good fortune. Families clean the home, light diyas, make rangoli and share sweets.

Sikh

Sikhs celebrate Bandi Chhor Divas ('day of liberation') on the same day: Guru Hargobind was freed from prison and insisted that 52 imprisoned kings be freed with him, each holding a tassel of his cloak. The Golden Temple in Amritsar is lit up and families visit the gurdwara.

Jain

Jains celebrate Diwali as the day Lord Mahavira, their 24th tirthankara, reached moksha (liberation) in 527 BCE. Lamps stand for the light of his knowledge, and many Jains spend the day in quiet prayer and reflection.

Community and school

Many towns, such as Leicester in the UK, hold huge Diwali light switch-ons, and schools mark it with rangoli, diya-making and stories.

Questions to ask while you read

Use these with any of the Diwali books on this page. Pick two or three, and there are no wrong answers.

  1. What is the family in the story getting ready for?
  2. Which part of Diwali would you most like to try, and why?
  3. How do the people in the story show they care about each other?
  4. Is anything in the story like something your family does?
  5. What would you like to ask a friend who celebrates Diwali?

Ways to celebrate Diwali with children

Diwali picture books at a glance

All the Diwali books on this page: Amma, Tell Me About Diwali! (Bhakti Mathur), Binny's Diwali (Thrity Umrigar), The Best Diwali Ever (Sonali Shah), One Little Lamp (Rashmi Sirdeshpande), Diwali (Celebrate the World) (Hannah Eliot), First Festivals: Diwali (Ladybird), Peppa's Diwali (Peppa Pig), Meera Shares Diwali: A Sikh Family Story (Dr Madahar), Let's Learn About Bandi Chhor Divas, Kids! (Gurkiran Sandhu), Mahavira: The Hero of Nonviolence (Manoj Jain), Little Glow (Katie Sahota).

Questions parents ask about Diwali

What is the story of Diwali for kids?

For Hindus, Prince Rama and Princess Sita return home after defeating the demon king Ravana, and people light rows of lamps to show them the way. Sikhs remember Guru Hargobind's release from prison, and Jains remember Lord Mahavira reaching liberation.

How do you say Happy Diwali?

'Happy Diwali' or 'Shubh Deepavali'. Sikh families may say 'Bandi Chhor Divas di lakh lakh vadhaiyan'.

What are good Diwali books for EYFS and KS1?

For ages 1 to 4 try First Festivals: Diwali or Peppa's Diwali; for 4 to 7, Binny's Diwali, The Best Diwali Ever and Amma, Tell Me About Diwali!

Related festivals: Navratri and Dussehra · Guru Nanak Gurpurab · Bonfire Night

All festivals, by month and by faith →

Traditions vary between families, places and communities; ask your child's friends and their families how they celebrate. As an Amazon Associate, Growing Wise earns from qualifying purchases.