My Bollywood Dream by Avani Dwivedi

Published by Candlewick

The Light Within You by Namita Moolani Mehra, illustrated by Kamala Nair

Published by Two Lions

Summary: Two kids share their experiences in India. In My Bollywood Dream, a girl who dreams of being a filmmaker enjoys an evening at a Mumbai cinema with her family. As they drive to the theater, she imagines turning what she sees in the city streets into Bollywood-style film scenes. Everyone enjoys the movie, and during the final number, the entire audience gets out of their seats to sing and dance. The last page shows the narrator as an adult behind the camera. Includes an author’s note about her own Bollywood experiences.

In The Light Within You, Diya is back in India for a visit from her new home in the United States. She’s excited to see her grandmother, Nani, and to celebrate Diwali, a holiday that the kids in her new school know nothing about. Diya enjoys the festive preparations with Nani, with whom she is able to share some of her struggles with her new life. Nani reminds her that Diwali is about light and encourages Diya to discover her inner light to shine at her new school. The last page shows Diya sharing Indian souvenirs with her new classmates. Includes an author’s note with additional information about Diwali, a glossary, and Diya’s Diwali affirmation, a poem that celebrates the inner light. Both books 40 pages; ages 4-8.

Pros: Both books will make readers want to visit India, with their descriptive text and especially the colorful illustrations that celebrate Bollywood and Diwali. Each one is empowering in its own way, focusing on the protagonist’s gifts and encouraging her to share them with others.

Cons: It felt like Diya might still have some struggles ahead of her.