WHAT DOES A MITHAI MONSTER WANT FOR DIWALI?

Just in time for the Diwali season, a new, colourful and playful book makes its way on to the children’s literary scene.

’Twas the Night Before Diwali, written by Zenia Wadhwani and illustrated by Manon Larivière, is a South Asian take on the famous Christmas poem written in 1823, with a magical character of its very own – this one likes mithai (Indian sweets) instead of cookies!

Resonating with the times and speaking to the future, this debut story gives children of diverse backgrounds the opportunity to see themselves reflected in the books they read.

“We are living through such challenging and changing times, and I felt I just had to do this project now, not only for me, but for my daughter,” said Wadhwani, a long-time advocate for literacy and emerging writers, and now first-time author. “There’s such a lack of diversity in children’s literature, and while it’s getting better, there’s a long way to go. It’s important for me to find and read enriching books to my daughter that include people from different cultures celebrating their traditions. It invites other children to experience stories as windows, inviting them into a new culture.”

“Wadhwani’s nimble rhythm and Larivière’s spirited illustrations present ’Twas the Night Before Diwali as a poetically and visually rich invitation to come inside, join the fun, and savour the sweetness of it all,” said Gurbir Jolly, Associate Professor, Children, Childhood and Youth Studies, York University. “This children’s book can easily stand alone as a treasured celebratory text, but the extended pleasure of immersing yourself in this work involves savouring its many nuances.”

The 32-page story is a self-published passion project that was originally inspired nine years ago when Wadhwani was pregnant and staring at a large tray of mithai on Diwali. After taking a playful photo, pretending she was about to devour it all, she came up with the Mithai Monster character who makes its debut in this book.

This is Wadhwani’s first children’s book. She has previously co-edited three anthologies. Bolo! Bolo! Second-Generation South Asian Voices; Desilicious: Sexy. Subversive. South Asian; and Once Upon a Time in Bollywood: The Global Swing in Indian Cinema.

Wadhwani has spent most of her career in the non-profit sector and more recently in the area of corporate citizenship, specializing in community engagement, stakeholder relations and diversity and inclusion. She lives in Toronto.

More info at www.mithaimonster.com.

The book is available on Amazon.ca for $9.99 at  www.amazon.ca /Night-Before-Diwali-Zenia-Wadhwani/dp/B08KH3QZ27.

Diwali falls on November 14 this year.