Ganesh Chaturthi books for kids: what it is and how to celebrate
When is Ganesh Chaturthi? around Saturday 4 September 2027. Dates marked “around” depend on the moon and local calendars.
Ganesh Chaturthi celebrates the birth of Ganesha, the elephant-headed Hindu god of wisdom and new beginnings, who is said to remove obstacles. Families bring home a clay statue of Ganesha, offer prayers and sweets (especially modak) for one to ten days, then carry the statue in a joyful procession to be immersed in water.
Who celebrates Ganesh Chaturthi, and books for each
Hindu
Families clean and decorate the home, welcome a Ganesha statue, sing aartis, offer modak and flowers, and visit friends' homes to see their Ganesha. The festival ends with a music-filled procession to a river, lake or the sea.
📖 Free guideGanesha's Sweet Tooth
Sanjay Patel and Emily Haynes
a funny retelling of how Ganesha broke his tusk eating a sweet
Questions to ask → View on Amazon ↗
📖 Free guideAmma, Tell Me About Ganesha!
Bhakti Mathur
rhyming stories about Ganesha from a mother to her son
Questions to ask → View on Amazon ↗
Questions to ask while you read
Use these with any of the Ganesh Chaturthi books on this page. Pick two or three, and there are no wrong answers.
- What is the family in the story getting ready for?
- Which part of Ganesh Chaturthi would you most like to try, and why?
- How do the people in the story show they care about each other?
- Is anything in the story like something your family does?
- What would you like to ask a friend who celebrates Ganesh Chaturthi?
Ways to celebrate Ganesh Chaturthi with children
- Make a small Ganesha from clay or play dough and talk about new beginnings.
- Cook (or buy) modak or ladoo together and share them with neighbours.
- Ask your child what 'obstacle' they'd like help with this year, and draw it.
- Make a paper garland of marigolds to decorate a shelf.
Ganesh Chaturthi picture books at a glance
All the Ganesh Chaturthi books on this page: Ganesha's Sweet Tooth (Sanjay Patel and Emily Haynes), Amma, Tell Me About Ganesha! (Bhakti Mathur).
Questions parents ask about Ganesh Chaturthi
Why does Ganesha have an elephant head?
In the most-told story, the goddess Parvati made Ganesha to guard her door. Shiva, not knowing who he was, cut off his head, then replaced it with an elephant's head to bring him back to life. It's a good story about mistakes and making things right.
Why are Ganesha statues put in water at the end?
The immersion (visarjan) says goodbye to Ganesha until next year and reminds people that everything changes. Many families now use small clay statues that dissolve safely, or immerse them in a bucket at home.
Related festivals: Diwali · Navratri and Dussehra · Holi
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.