The Divali Story

A big book of this wonderful story is welcome especially as it has an excellent text. The illustrations are a little disappointing as the characters all look the same – with the exception of a picture of Ravana disguised as an old man. The artist’s decision to make Rama blue, in the style of religious representations of Hindu gods, may provide opportunities for discussion, but is this necessary when there is already such a wealth of material to explore in the story? Still, this is worth having for Year 3 upwards I think. There are useful paragraphs on celebrating Divali and the Ramayana at the end, along with a recipe for coconut barfi, an Indian sweet.