Surrey Libraries are helping residents to celebrate Diwali with special events and reading recommendations.
The library has planned two celebrations in partnership with Options Community Services, featuring diya painting, Rangoli crafts and colouring, henna, face painting, a Diwali photo booth and light refreshments.
The first took place at the Strawberry Hill branch on Oct. 26. The second is at the Newton branch on Wednesday, Oct. 30, from 3 to 5 p.m. Registration is required; call 604-992-6161 or sign up by email.
A Diwali celebration is also set for Thursday, Oct. 31 in the meeting room at the Semiahmoo branch, 1815 152 St., from 2 to 4 p.m., with diya painting and a Rangoli colouring sheet. All supplies are included.
If you’d like to learn more about Diwali, celebrate what you already know, or just enjoy storytime with the kids in your life, Surrey Libraries also has some book ideas for you.
Here are their suggestions for children.
• Diwali, by Sital Gorasia Chapman: Join Sonali and her family as they celebrate the festival of lights.
• Garland of Lights: A Diwali Story, by Chitra Soundar: A journey through magical moments that make up Diwali, with Soundar’s lyric rhymes and rich, vibant illustrations from Amberin Huq.
• Once Upon a Diwali, by Anita Mishra: Riya loves Diwali for the tasty treats, but not the darkness and loud fireworks. Can Riya be brave and find a way to celebrate without being scared?
• Kadooboo! A Silly South Indian Folktale, by Shruthi Rao: Kabir runs home to share his fresh-from-the-pan treat, but can he remember its name?
• It’s Diwali!, by Kabir Sehgal: This take-off of the counting rhyme One, Two, Buckle My Shoe describes the wonders of Diwali.
• Happy Diwali!, by Sanyukta Mathur: This story follows a little girl from dawn to dusk as she partakes in Diwali traditions.
• Archie Celebrates Diwali, by Mitali Banerjee Ruths: Archie is worried that her school friends won’t like Diwali, her favourite Hindu holiday.
• Deepak’s Diwali, by Divya Karwal: This book is part of the library’s Hindi collection.
• Shubh Diwali!, by Chitra Soundar: One family celebrates the Hindu festival of lights.
• Diwali: Festival of Lights, by Rina Singh: Diwali reminds us that light will always prevail over darkness through the retelling of the legends of Rama, Krishna and Lakshmi in the biggest and brightest of all Indian festivals.
• Let’s Celebrate 5 Days of Diwali!, by Ajanta Chakraborty: Join Maya, Neel and their pet squirrel, Chintu, as they visit their Aunty Eeesha in India to celebrate 5 Days of Diwali.
• Amma, Tell Me About Diwali!, by Bhakti Mathur: This introduction to the traditions and festivities of Diwali includes a glossary.
• Mahavira: The Hero of Nonviolence, by Manoj Jain: This book discusses the life and work of Mahavira, a young prince of India who renounced his throne to become a monk and spiritual teacher.
See surreylibraries.ca to find out where the titles are available.