"An enhancing musical background soundtrack complements Chaudhry's welcoming narration, hoping, promising, reveling."—School Library Journal
The House Without Lights features music and special effects. Listen along and enjoy the fun!
In this heartwarming holiday audiobook, 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 audiobook is sure to be a holiday classic, complete with back matter about the holidays mentioned, including the one House lights up for: Eid.
A Macmillan Audio production from Henry Holt & Company.
The House Without Lights
A glowing celebration of joy, warmth, and home
1 of 1 copy available
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Creators
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Publisher
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Release date
September 3, 2024 -
Formats
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OverDrive Listen audiobook
- ISBN: 9781250362216
- File size: 3360 KB
- Duration: 00:06:59
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Languages
- English
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Reviews
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Starred review from July 29, 2024
Faruqi gives a longing voice to an unoccupied house watching as its neighbor residences are festooned in lights, including Diwali lamps and Hanukkah menorahs. When a family, portrayed with brown skin, moves in, the house hopes to be lighted up for the approaching yuletide. But the newcomers don’t decorate, and though the house is filled with the mouthwatering smell of golden rice, the parents work through the holiday (“so our friends can celebrate with their families,” they say). Even so, House feels cozy with its new residents and, months later, gets its lights—during Eid. Alam’s spellbinding illustrations of suburban tranquility are populated with snow-laden rooftops, multicolored twinkle lights, and feelings of loving camaraderie in this holiday tale whose charming conceit is matched by the visible glow of the house, at last happily winking its lights. Background characters are portrayed with various skin tones. An author’s note concludes. Ages 4–8. -
November 1, 2024
PreS-Gr 3-Faruqi and Chaudhry reunite to (indirectly) celebrate Eid after collaborating on Amira's Picture Day. The star here is House, initially empty, longing to be like other homes lit up with "colorful lamps for Diwali," "flickering menorah candles for Hanukkah," "glowing" trees for Christmas. When Huda and her family move in, House eagerly awaits "its turn to shine." Despite "the buttery cardamom smell of Amma's golden rice," House still feels "dull, dark, and dreary." The doorbell's ringing on Christmas Day makes House "giggle" as hordes of relatives arrive, although Amma and Abba leave for work "so our friends can celebrate with their families." The joyful energy almost lets House forget its lightlessness because inside, it is warm and cozy with its new family. Besides, House's turn to shine is coming-for Eid. VERDICT An enhancing musical background soundtrack complements Chaudhry's welcoming narration, hoping, promising, reveling.
Copyright 2024 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.
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