The Light Within You by Namita Moolani Mehra – touching Diwali story

The Light Within You is a vibrant, touching Diwali story about the bond between a girl and her grandmother. Set against the backdrop of Diwali, it beautifully highlights themes of family, identity, and finding joy both within and with others.

Synopsis

A celebration of family love and the light we share with the world.

Diya is excited to be going to India for Diwali, the Festival of Lights. That means she’ll get to spend time with Nani, her beloved grandma, who she hasn’t seen since her family moved from India. Now India is 7,850 miles away…

Once Diya arrives in India, she immediately feels at home with Nani. Together they go shopping at the bazaar and prepare for the festival. As Diya and Nani celebrate Diwali together, Diya’s heart soars. But all too soon, her trip will come to an end. Is there a way for Diya to take some of the light and magic of Diwali with her when she leaves?

Review

I discovered this book through a blogger I follow, and with Diwali approaching, it seemed like a perfect choice to read with my child. To my delight, it was available on Kindle Unlimited.

The story follows Diya, an Indian-American girl living in the USA who recently moved to a new state and school. Her classmates don’t know much about Diwali or why she’s so excited to visit her grandmother in another country to celebrate the festival. Her grandmother, who is also her best friend, is a source of comfort and joy, making this trip even more special for Diya.

The bond between Diya and her grandmother is heartwarming. Diya shares stories about her new school and the challenges of living far away, while her grandmother provides wisdom and warmth. Their time together, filled with festive activities and heartfelt conversations, was beautifully portrayed.

One of my favorite moments was when her grandmother explained that while Diwali is a festival of lights, the real light comes from within. It’s this inner light that brings brightness and joy, and sharing it with others multiplies the happiness. Her grandmother’s words about love transcending distance and staying in the heart added a meaningful touch.

The illustrations were stunning—vivid and colorful, they truly brought the story to life. While the setting and visuals focused on Diwali, the heart of the story resonated on a deeper level. It explored the emotions of living far from one’s roots, celebrating festivals in a place where they aren’t widely understood, and longing for loved ones left behind. It’s a celebration of heritage and the sense of completeness that comes with reconnecting to one’s roots.

I also appreciated the author’s message at the end, which thoughtfully explained Diwali in a way that’s easy to understand.

Overall, The Light Within You is a vibrant, touching story about the bond between a girl and her grandmother. Set against the backdrop of Diwali, it beautifully highlights themes of family, identity, and finding joy both within and with others.

Book Links

Goodreads | Amazon.in | Amazon.com | Amazon.co.uk

Have you read this book or plan to?
Your favorite Diwali Book or Holiday Read?

Blog | Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | Pinterest | Goodreads | WhatsApp Channel

Just in case you missed,,,

• We’ll Prescribe You a Cat by Syou Ishida – heartwarming Japanese literature
• Standing Strong and Finding Solace in Stories : Weekly Recap (January 15, 2025)
• A Cross Country Christmas (Road Trip Romance #1) by Courtney Walsh – feel-good, cozy, and fun

---