Book Title: My Little Book of Onam
Author: Pratyusha L. Kameswar and Swarnamo Datta
Publisher: Puffin India
Number of Pages: 24
ISBN: 9377302900
Date Published: Aug. 17, 2026
Book Review
Pratyusha L.Kameshwar’s My Little Book of Onam introduces Kerala’s ten-day harvest festival through a short, friendly board-book format. The writing follows a clear, page-by-page structure: children meet the story of King Mahabali and Vamana, then move through familiar Onam sights such as pookalam flower carpets, boat races, traditional dresses, dances, and the grand sadya served on banana leaves. The language is simple enough for children aged three and above, making the book easy to read aloud while still giving parents room to add their own memories and explanations.
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Swarnavo Datta’s illustrations bring much of the festival’s energy to the pages. Bright colours, busy celebrations, and warm family scenes help young readers feel the joy of Onam rather than merely learn facts about it. The visuals work especially well for pointing and naming—flowers, food, boats, and clothes—though the brief text may leave older children wanting more detail about the legend behind the festival.
Even so, the book succeeds as a cheerful first introduction to Onam, celebrating community, food, ritual, and the happiness of coming together.
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About the Author
Swarnavo Datta leads a double life as a corporate trainer by day and an illustrator by night. While his professional world revolves around helping adults understand subjects such as Business Acumen and Design Thinking, his creative side finds joy in drawing wonderfully whimsical, often delightfully silly things.
Having spent his childhood surrounded by mango trees and bougainvillea in Bengal, Swarnavo now calls Bengaluru home, where traffic jams are an occasional part of everyday life. He likes to imagine that a pencil and a pocket-sized sketchbook are always within reach, ready to turn a red light into an opportunity for a little creativity.
Away from work and illustration, he enjoys experimenting in the kitchen, tending to his potted lemon tree, and collecting picture books—often more than his shelves can accommodate.
