The Hindu holiday of Diwali can seem a magical occasion. Alive with prayer, feasts, and fireworks, it offers opportunity for believers to revel in the triumph of good over evil. Penamakuru’s imaginative book for middle-grade readers takes an otherworldly approach to a fictionalized celebration of this late fall festival. Set in a distant solar system similar to ours on a planet much like Earth, the story follows five pasumans, or anthropomorphic animals—in this case, tigers, elephants, and bears. The creatures gather at the home of the tigers, Adhvika and Aadi, for a Diwali party, with each guest bringing traditional dishes, drinks, and costumes.

The only problem: this year Adhvika and Aadi chose to take their dream vacation right before Diwali, so they are unprepared. When their friends arrive, the tigers ask for their help in the rush to create the perfect scene. This is when things start to go off the rails, with the friends getting so caught up in their plans that they neglect their values. The book’s not crafted as an introduction to Diwali, so readers first exploring the holiday will find minor specifics of the narrative a challenge to keep up with, particularly since the characters are prone to amusing off-topic chatter. But the pressure to make each holiday the best ever will resonate with young people and parents regardless of faith or geographic location, as will the pasumans’ eventual realization that the true meaning of Diwali is what really matters.

Throughout the story, Kuba’s occasional illustrations show the expressive pasumans preparing for the occasion by going shopping, hanging garlands, and drawing festive patterns around their home. At the end of the book, a letter from Jambu the bear explains the history and traditions of Diwali, and a glossary offers helpful definitions of terms. This inventive story invites readers to suspend their disbelief while offering an intriguing introduction to an ancient and beloved celebration.

Takeaway: Charming animal adventure celebrating Diwali.

Comparable Titles: Jatinder Verma’s Prince of Fire, Roshani Chokshi’s Aru Sha and the End of Time.

Production grades
Cover: A-
Design and typography: A
Illustrations: A
Editing: A-
Marketing copy: A-