THE HOUSE WITHOUT LIGHTS

An anthropomorphic house learns that you don’t need fancy decorations to feel loved.

House longs to be adorned with twinkling holiday lights like its neighbors. It watched while a nearby house sparkled for Diwali; another had menorah lights in its window during Hanukkah. Christmas is drawing near, and House desperately hopes for lights of its own when young Huda and her family move in. The home fills with the aroma of cardamom-scented rice and the sounds of a family game…but no one decorates. When Christmas arrives, Huda’s parents go to work so that others can celebrate. House is filled with the joyful noises of Huda’s relatives, who have come to visit; though House may not be decorated, it’s still happy: “I’m full of love and hope.” When Huda’s parents return home late that night, Amma tells a sleepy Huda that she can look forward to beautiful lights for their own holiday, Eid. House is delighted at the news. When the weather turns warm, it’s House who is newly adorned with strings of glittering lights as it proudly hosts an Eid celebration inside and out. Making clear that Muslim celebrations are just as festive as holidays such as Christmas and Hanukkah, Faruqi delivers a refreshing twist on Eid tales. Brimming with details, Alam’s welcoming illustrations capture the closeness of this family; scenes of the lit houses shining in the darkness are especially moving. Vocabulary and visual cues suggest that Huda and her family are of South Asian heritage.

Simply charming.