lens
Bringing joyful stories of rituals and refugees to a new generation of readers
Distinguished University Professor and novelist Thrity Umrigar recently wrote two children’s books that celebrate India’s culture through the eyes of young immigrants in the United States.
Umrigar, PhD, a professor in the Department of English at Case Western Reserve, grew up in India and came to the United States in her early 20s. The new books offer a joyful counterweight for children during what Umrigar calls an age of dehumanizing immigrants.
Binny’s Diwali (Scholastic Press) highlights Diwali, one of the biggest festivals on earth, said Umrigar, as Binny describes to classmates the fireworks, sweets and revels of the festival of lights, celebrated by Hindus, Jains and Sikhs. The illustrations are by Nidhi Chanani.