Harshita Jerath (pronounced HER-she-ta) is a children's book author who draws inspiration from her memories of growing up in India and the colorful world around her. She is the author of picture books, "The Leaping Laddoo" (Albert Whitman & Co, 2022) and "Cooler Than Lemonade" (Sourcebooks Jabberwocky, 2023). Her upcoming book, "A Sweet Diwali" (2024), is inspired by her childhood friendship with her dachshund dog, Dollar. She currently lives with her family in Scottsdale, Arizona.

Geeta Ladi is a children's book illustrator born and raised in Mumbai. As a child, she poured through storybooks, absorbing the rich illustrations and creating new imaginative worlds from them. India's multicultural diversity has influenced her style, as her colorful work aims to share it's unique energy with children all over the world. Geeta has combined her artistic knowledge with her personal experience of working with children in Indian schools. Geeta's hobbies are watching movies with her husband, playing with her energetic dog, and photography.

"For readers unaware of this festival of lights, the book is both a leveled reader and a serviceable introduction to the celebration." --School Library Journal

Publisher: Bound to Stay Bound Books

Pub date: 2024-10-08

Length: 32 pages