Ricki is looking forward to Divali, the Hindu 'Festival of Lights'. He's also waiting for two special rosebuds to bloom. The buds are on the bush that his grandfather had planted in the front yard. His grandfather promises that the roses will be the colour of Divali. But Ricki can't imagine what colour that might be. One morning, on his way to school, Ricki bends one of the rosebuds to get a closer look and accidentally snaps it off. When his grandfather believes the new neighbours have stolen his rosebud, Ricki must summon the courage to confess what he has done.Set in Trinidad, Vashanti Rahaman's moving story, richly illustrated by Jamel Akib, reflects the meaning of a festival that is celebrated by approximately one billion Hindus worldwide.

 

This book was recognised by the Americas Award.

There are 32 pages in this book. This is a picture book. A picture book uses pictures and text to tell the story. The number of words varies from zero ('wordless') to around 1k over 32 pages. Picture books are typically aimed at young readers (age 3-6) but can also be aimed at older children (7+). This book was published 2008 by Boyds Mills Press .

Vashanti Rahaman is the author of "O Christmas Tree "(Boyds Mills Press), illustrated by Frane Lessac. Born in Dominica, West Indies, she now lives in Rolla, Missouri. Jamel Akib is the illustrator of Monsoon and Bringing Asha Home , both written by Uma Krishnaswami. Raised in Malaysia, he now resides in England, where he was born.