Customer Reviews

Premlata and the Festival of Lights

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This is a lovely story of a small girl's strength and weaknesses and her ability to overcome those weaknesses in order to care for those she loves. As always, Ms. Godden's storytelling and descriptive language are magical. Premlata's poverty is difficult and uncomfortable for privileged Western children, but an important part of the book's power. Premlata will be an annual read for my daughter and me during the holidays--it is a great companion to the Christmas story!

The story is about a young Indian girl who through the boldness of her heart undertakes a brave adventure on behalf of her struggling family. She encounters her own weaknesses and strengths, as well as those of others around her. Her character is delicately developed and you will simply fall in love with Premlata. The customs and cultural environment of her world are beautifully described for child and adult. It is a fanciful small story which appealed greatly to both my 9 year old daughter and me.

I bought this book years ago, well before my daughter was born. I loved it in my pre-mommy days, as a person who had traveled in, and loved India. And now, with a daughter who's nearly the same age as Premlata, who was born in a village in India, it takes special significance.

On the surface, this is an adorable story of a little girl living in a village in India. She tough and goes after what she wants and improves the lives of everyone around her in the process. In that, it's a great girl-power book.

And then it's also a lovely, gentle introduction to India. Life in India can be hard for many people. And this book gently introduces that fact. But despite being difficult, life is also full of joy and hard work and respect. And this book treats the characters with a great deal of respect. Premlata and her family are the kind of people that I want to know. And they're the kind of people that I *have* met in India.

We'll read this one again and again...