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The House Without Lights: A glowing celebration of joy, warmth, and home
In this heartwarming holiday picture book, House misses being decorated for the winter holidays . . . but is delighted to be lit up for Eid instead.
After seeing all of its neighbors' twinkling lights for the winter holidays, House hopes to shine too. When Huda and her family move in, House thinks its time to sparkle has finally come.
But, Diwali, Hanukkah, and Christmas come and go without a shimmer. Quickly, House learns that every family celebrates joy and togetherness in their own way, no matter the season. And a few months later House will see that this new family has its own holiday to shine for.
This book is sure to be a holiday classic, complete with back matter about the holidays mentioned, including the one House lights up for–Eid.
After seeing all of its neighbors' twinkling lights for the winter holidays, House hopes to shine too. When Huda and her family move in, House thinks its time to sparkle has finally come.
But, Diwali, Hanukkah, and Christmas come and go without a shimmer. Quickly, House learns that every family celebrates joy and togetherness in their own way, no matter the season. And a few months later House will see that this new family has its own holiday to shine for.
This book is sure to be a holiday classic, complete with back matter about the holidays mentioned, including the one House lights up for–Eid.
40 pages, Hardcover
Published September 3, 2024
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
September 20, 2024
This story is told from the perspective of House. House is thrilled that little Huda and her family have moved in before the Christmas holiday. House is looking forward to being decorated with bright shiny outdoor lights that will match the other houses in the neighborhood. This picture book very sweetly and very cleverly I think handles the concept that not every family celebrates holiday(s) during the month of December or celebrates in the same ways. House is happy when Huda’s family affixes the lights for Eid al-Fitr. Regardless of when lights are displayed, love radiates from inside all year around.
Included at the back of the book is a very interesting author’s note about how Muslims use the lunar calendar and how the two Eids of the year are dated. In December of 2033 Eid al-Fitr is projected to fall on December 25th! I think this book would be a great teaching tool for young learners. *note to self: If I can work or volunteer to cover shifts of those celebrating a holiday that I may not be observing, I will offer to do it.*
Included at the back of the book is a very interesting author’s note about how Muslims use the lunar calendar and how the two Eids of the year are dated. In December of 2033 Eid al-Fitr is projected to fall on December 25th! I think this book would be a great teaching tool for young learners. *note to self: If I can work or volunteer to cover shifts of those celebrating a holiday that I may not be observing, I will offer to do it.*
July 20, 2024
I am always looking for books that celebrate a variety of holidays for the school library. I will be ordering this one for sure. The author mentions several holidays, but focuses on Eid. This book reminds me of Schools First Day of School, because it is written from the point of view of the house. This would be a great book to use when teaching point of view. Thanks to McMillan Audio and NetGalley for the arc.
October 26, 2024
Heartwarming read that belongs in every preschool classroom.
This endearing story will offer ways to converse about how we do or do not celebrate holidays. Those who grow up celebrating holidays quietly without much obvious festivity will find much reassurance and resonance in this story.
Reem’s loving and thoughtful storytelling is matched with eye catching illustrations that captivate attention.
Highly recommend.
This endearing story will offer ways to converse about how we do or do not celebrate holidays. Those who grow up celebrating holidays quietly without much obvious festivity will find much reassurance and resonance in this story.
Reem’s loving and thoughtful storytelling is matched with eye catching illustrations that captivate attention.
Highly recommend.
September 8, 2024
This picture book has nothing to do with the film Home Alone, but there are some parallels. With stunning illustrations, The House Without Lights recalls the Christmas bedazzlement of Home Alone. Large, decorative and quaint, houses tantalize the eyes like gingerbread and candy. But one dwelling stands empty and dark as if the McCallisters finally remembered to take Kevin. This lonely house longs to be like the others, and a family moves in just in time for Christmas.
As the smell of buttery cardamom fills the air, the sentient house livens with anticipation for the holidays. It tracks the family’s doings for signs that decorating will begin, but only the inner rooms glow with warmth and togetherness. Nothing happens outdoors. House—the main character—experiences a range of emotions as it comes to understand that its new family does not celebrate Christmas. It will have no decorations. Visitors arrive on Christmas day, but only to relieve work-bound parents. Being Muslim, they have thoughtfully agreed to work over the holidays to make it possible for celebrating coworkers to be at home. House is disappointed, but the joy and energy of Huda and her siblings with their relatives fills the vacancy it once felt. As Christmas passes without a string of lights or the full feeling of togetherness, House listens in to the family’s conversation. Christmas, Diwali, and Hanukah aren’t the only holidays in town. There’s also Eid.
On that day, House twinkles and shines and the whole family is together.
A separate word has to be said about the opening spread. Wow. Just wow. And that opening line! Kissy fingers. I wish it had been possible to tell the whole story in the form of the first spread. It’s stunning.
As the smell of buttery cardamom fills the air, the sentient house livens with anticipation for the holidays. It tracks the family’s doings for signs that decorating will begin, but only the inner rooms glow with warmth and togetherness. Nothing happens outdoors. House—the main character—experiences a range of emotions as it comes to understand that its new family does not celebrate Christmas. It will have no decorations. Visitors arrive on Christmas day, but only to relieve work-bound parents. Being Muslim, they have thoughtfully agreed to work over the holidays to make it possible for celebrating coworkers to be at home. House is disappointed, but the joy and energy of Huda and her siblings with their relatives fills the vacancy it once felt. As Christmas passes without a string of lights or the full feeling of togetherness, House listens in to the family’s conversation. Christmas, Diwali, and Hanukah aren’t the only holidays in town. There’s also Eid.
On that day, House twinkles and shines and the whole family is together.
A separate word has to be said about the opening spread. Wow. Just wow. And that opening line! Kissy fingers. I wish it had been possible to tell the whole story in the form of the first spread. It’s stunning.
October 20, 2024
In THE HOUSE WITHOUT LIGHTS, a lone house in a neighborhood sits unadorned in the dark of winter, longing to be decorated with lights like the rest of the surrounding homes. When Huda’s family moves in, the house is initially disappointed when the family doesn’t decorate right away. Even without lights, soon the house finds itself filled with warmth and light from the inside as the new family and their visiting relatives gather for food and fun. When spring comes, the house finally has its time to shine when the family decorates to celebrate Eid. Told from the perspective of the house, the accompanying illustrations show the emotions of the house and capture the warmth and caring of the family living inside.
The book is the perfect way to help young readers understand that different families celebrate a variety of holidays with diverse traditions. Since light is a shared thread in many holidays widely celebrated in the United States, using it as a focus for the story helps to make the book readily relatable for many readers. The book also provides an engaging introduction to Eid for readers who may be unfamiliar with the Muslim holiday. Wonderful reading for the holiday season and beyond!
The book is the perfect way to help young readers understand that different families celebrate a variety of holidays with diverse traditions. Since light is a shared thread in many holidays widely celebrated in the United States, using it as a focus for the story helps to make the book readily relatable for many readers. The book also provides an engaging introduction to Eid for readers who may be unfamiliar with the Muslim holiday. Wonderful reading for the holiday season and beyond!
July 11, 2024
The House Without Lights written by Reem Faruqi and narrated by Nazia Chaudhry, is a story written from the point of view of a house, who does not understand why they do not have lights like other houses. When a new family moved into the home house is excited to show off their lights to celebrate Christmas or Hanukkah, but instead they learn that their new family does not celebrate these holidays. Instead they celebrate Eid. House isn’t sure what to think about this at first but they soon realize that
“Even though I don’t have lights outside today, I am full of love and hope.” Then when Eid does come, they are proud to share their lights with the houses nearby, to welcome family and friends, and to celebrate together.
I love this book! I think this might be a wonderful book for a child who might not understand why different families celebrate different holidays or in different ways. I did not see myself tearing up at this book, but I did. Thank You to NetGalley, and to author, publisher, and narrator of this book for an ALC in exchange for an honest review.
“Even though I don’t have lights outside today, I am full of love and hope.” Then when Eid does come, they are proud to share their lights with the houses nearby, to welcome family and friends, and to celebrate together.
I love this book! I think this might be a wonderful book for a child who might not understand why different families celebrate different holidays or in different ways. I did not see myself tearing up at this book, but I did. Thank You to NetGalley, and to author, publisher, and narrator of this book for an ALC in exchange for an honest review.
July 2, 2024
I received an ARC of this book for my honest opinion.
What a lovely book! It reminded me of The Little House book by Burton but with a religious take. Much like Burton’s book, House in this book was very expressive and lovely in its illustrations as it waited to be lit up like the other homes in the neighborhood. I also loved that not only were other religious holidays were mentioned but it gently makes the point that when others have their religious holidays at different times of the year, it enables those currently celebrating can more easily to take off work. Overall, a lovely book about different families celebrating throughout the year, without or without Christmas lights.
What a lovely book! It reminded me of The Little House book by Burton but with a religious take. Much like Burton’s book, House in this book was very expressive and lovely in its illustrations as it waited to be lit up like the other homes in the neighborhood. I also loved that not only were other religious holidays were mentioned but it gently makes the point that when others have their religious holidays at different times of the year, it enables those currently celebrating can more easily to take off work. Overall, a lovely book about different families celebrating throughout the year, without or without Christmas lights.
September 28, 2024
Told from the perspective of the house, we see that it is xmas and there are lights on all the other houses in the neighborhood. but this hose doesn't have lights. as the story goes on we see that the family is Muslim, and although they may not have lights the house is filled with cozy warmth, love and family. Then the holiday changes and Eid happens. Now the house is the one with lights and celebration. A wonderful read for preschool or K grade to talk about different families, holidays and show that we may celebrate different days, we all still have love and family in celebration in common.
The illustrations are lovely and glow which helps give the book even more of a cozy, fuzzy feeling
The illustrations are lovely and glow which helps give the book even more of a cozy, fuzzy feeling
September 30, 2024
The House Without Lights by Reem Faruqi is educational story. It’s a story about a house that wants to have lights for Christmas as well as the other houses. When the new family moved in, the house hoped it wouldn’t have to wait anymore for lights for Christmas but it didn't happen because the family celebrates different holidays. The main idea of the book is celebrating togetherness and learning different families celebrate different holidays and traditions. I chose this book because it shows togetherness and different cultures and traditions. This book is good for students Pre k- 3 grade level. I would read this book in the classroom during the read aloud session.
June 17, 2024
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC audiobook for The House Without Lights by Reem Faruqui.
I enjoyed the narration of this book. You can imagine all of the houses on the street all lit up for the various holidays. The main character in this book is the actual house that feels bare and wants to be all lit up. A family moves into the house but does not celebrate the main holidays that the other houses do. This house will celebrate Eid with lots of family and food.
Thank you for the advance audiobook. I loved the celebration of this holiday
I enjoyed the narration of this book. You can imagine all of the houses on the street all lit up for the various holidays. The main character in this book is the actual house that feels bare and wants to be all lit up. A family moves into the house but does not celebrate the main holidays that the other houses do. This house will celebrate Eid with lots of family and food.
Thank you for the advance audiobook. I loved the celebration of this holiday
July 19, 2024
The House Without Lights is a tale about a house that is excited to learn that a new family has arrived, especially since it's the holidays. House can't wait to the decorated with lights to celebrate either Christmas or Hanukkah. House is sad to learn that the house will not be decorated. House does become excited when the decorating occurs at another time, because the family decorates for Eid. This book would be a great introduction about the celebration of Eid or showing children the similarity in celebrations practiced by various religions.
November 14, 2024
This house feels sad as every other house in the neighborhood has been decorated with outdoor lights to celebrate a holiday. It has remained dark. Then a family moves in and House gets excited about lights. Sadly, they don't decorate but they do fill the house with love and joy. House learns that they celebrate a different holiday and when Eid comes, lights are hung all over. A lovely way to explain celebrations for different faiths. I appreciate that the parents work on Christmas Day so colleagues can be with their families and the favor is returned on Eid.
July 1, 2024
A beautiful look at the different holidays and how they have things in common and bring people together. As told by one house on the block who watches it all.
Great narration by Nazia Chaudhry and the music was nice.
I look forward to buying this one for our library!
4 stars
I received this audiobook from the publisher Macmillan Audio | Macmillan Young Listeners for a fair and honest review.
Great narration by Nazia Chaudhry and the music was nice.
I look forward to buying this one for our library!
4 stars
I received this audiobook from the publisher Macmillan Audio | Macmillan Young Listeners for a fair and honest review.
October 24, 2024
Muslim Eid celebration.
House wonders why it's new owners aren't decorating for Christmas. Finds out that the family doesn't celebrate, but supports it's neighbors by working on Christmas. Eventually the house gets lit up on Eid.
Sweet story for kids who don't celebrate Christmas in a community full of Christmas decorations.
House wonders why it's new owners aren't decorating for Christmas. Finds out that the family doesn't celebrate, but supports it's neighbors by working on Christmas. Eventually the house gets lit up on Eid.
Sweet story for kids who don't celebrate Christmas in a community full of Christmas decorations.
September 5, 2024
what an absolute delight. the illustrations are beautiful, but the story and premise are just an excellent addition to the holiday season shelves.
September 13, 2024
Unique, joyful, and stunning.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews