MaiStoryBook Library

MaiStoryBook: Binny’s Diwali + *My Diwali Diya* Craft

by MaiStoryBook

Introducing a story celebrating the Hindu holiday, Diwali ~ featured in the MaiStoryBook Library Collection:

“Binny’s Diwali” by Thrity Umrigar, Illustrated by Nidhi Chanani

*~Click here to purchase your own copy of “Binny’s Diwali” to start on your own reading adventure! (This is an affiliate link~ a small percentage of your purchase will go to MaiStoryBook to help create Reading Resources for your littles)

Book Synopsis and Review

Today is Binny’s day to share her favorite holiday with her class. She’s excited to share about Diwali, but a bit nervous too. After struggling in the beginning to find her words, Binny takes a deep breath, and then shares the magic of Diwali. Learn along with Binny’s classmates as she shows them the glowing clay lamps, called diyas, explains the fireworks of gold, green, and red that burst through the night sky, and shares delicious pedas and jalebis treats.

Introduce little learners to Diwali with this delightful read. Use this story to encourage littles to share about their own special holidays they celebrate, and to help them realize that different families celebrate different holidays, or they can even celebrate the same holidays but in different ways. Filled with colorful, bright illustrations, Binny brings to life the magic of the Festival of Lights. I also appreciate how the book touches on using deep breaths to calm nerves and find courage. Included in the back of the book is the Diwali Story, as well as more information on how to celebrate the Five days of Diwali.

Vocabulary

  • Suede (p. 3) soft, velvet material, feels fuzzy
  • Glimpse (p. 3) a quick look, a peek to see only part of something
  • Exchanged (p. 5) to trade
  • Flickering (p. 18) burning or shining and waving back and forth unsteadily
  • Shimmering (p. 19) shining with a soft glowing light

Themes/ Main Ideas

  • Different families and cultures celebrate different holidays and traditions. Listen and learn about different holidays to appreciate cultural differences.
  • When you are nervous, take deep breaths. Believe in yourself. People want to hear what you have to say.
  • Good and light can triumph over evil and darkness.

Lesson Plan

I had the honor of partnering with the Immigrant History Initiative it bring you an in-depth read aloud lesson plan for *Binny’s Diwali.* The lesson plan contains:

  • Alignment with Common Core Standards
  • Before- During- and After Reading Questions
  • Interactive Activities
  • Information about he author & Illustrator
  • Vocabulary Words
  • Important Themes
  • Lists of Further Resources

BINNY’S DIWALI LESSON PLAN FREE DOWNLOAD

*My Diwali Diya* Craft

Known as the Festival of Lights, Diwali celebrates the triumph of good and light over evil and darkness. I’m always on the lookout for books that encourage the littles to spread kindness and share acts of love and light. This Diwali, encourage your own little learners to spread light and hope. Perhaps they can write a kind note to a family member or friend, share a sweet treat with someone, or offer someone a helping hand. Even the smallest acts of kindness can shine a ray of light on the darkest of days! Check out MaiStoryBook’s bookish craft inspired by *Binny’s Diwali* to encourage your littles to spread light this Diwali and share what they know about this Festival of Light with their Diya crafts.

Materials

Directions

  • Choose a Diya Flap Template: Color version or Black and White Version to Color, with Two different heading options: “ _____’s Diwali” or “How ______ spreads Light”
  • If you choose the black and white version, use coloring utensils to color it in. 
  • Write your name on the blank to personalize the craft.
  • Cut out the Diya Flap 
  • Next, choose a Diya Base Template. There are color or black and white versionswith different response prompts.
  • Diwali Facts: Fill in the blanks with Diwali facts and draw a picture of some Diwali treats (pedasor jalebis from the story), a rangoli design, a diya. For the Facts, here are the answers for the blanks: “Diwali is the Festival of Lights. Diwali is a Hindu holiday that lasts fivedays. It celebrates the victory of goodness and hope.”
  • How to spread light: Share how you spread kindness, hope, goodness and light within your community. Differentiated with lines for writing or picture spaces. 
  • Fill in the templates with your written or picture responses. 
  • Color in if you chose black and white.
  • Cut out the diya base.
  • To attached the flap and the base, place glue on the little triangle on the base that says “glue here.” 
  • Line up the diya flap to cover up your response on the diya base. 
  • Glue down the flap.
  • The flap should lift up to reveal your response on the the diya base.
  • Lower the flap to display your diya.
  • Share / display your diyasto celebrate Diwali and remind each other to spread light, kindness, and hope. 

Enjoy Your *Diwali Diya* Craft

  • Share your Diwali Diya with family and friends and tell them what you know about Diwali, or share with them how you spread light and love.
  • Share your Diwali Diya and ask your family and friends what they know about Diwali, or how they will spread light and hope with their community.
  • Display your Diyas as colorful decorations to celebrate Diwali this year.
  • Display your Diwali Diya to remind you that light defeats darkness, and that good will triumph over evil

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

*~ I hope you are enjoying plenty of reading adventures this fall, Mai Friends! Tag me on Instagram @MaiStoryBookLibrary or FaceBook , find me on TikTok, or contact me via email to share your own *Diwali Diya* Crafts and your own reading adventures! I’d love to hear how you are spreading light, love, and hope!~*

Enjoy More Diverse Interactive Read Aloud Videos Here!

*~Until next time, Happy Reading