Barking Gecko Theatre and Fremantle Press have teamed up to release a new picture book alongside the return of their popular play, HOUSE, and it’s beautiful.
Playwright Dan Giovannoni who co-wrote the play, has teamed up with Luke Kerridge and the show’s original set designer, Charlotte Lane to write this unique extension of the beloved stage story. Acting as a prequel, the story explores the universal emotion of loneliness and the comfort of finding connection through the characters of a house and a little girl.
The lonely house untethers itself from Earth and goes floating through the sky in search of a friend, rescuing the young lonely girl. Feeling safe in the house, she begins exploring its rooms, finding solace in warm and welcoming spaces. The house helps her feel grounded and secure and teaches her that even the darkest moments in life are unavoidable, but eventually they pass. It’s just like the way that after a storm, everything is fresh and beautiful again, ready for a new start.
Eventually, the girl gains the courage to face the world, knowing she always has a safe place to return to. The story reminds us that very often, it’s the small things that bring us joy, that can help us feel connected during challenging times, no matter how old we are.
The book is beautifully illustrated, and like all good children’s books, it also offers a timely reminder to us grown-ups that sometimes it helps to change the lens through which we view the world. It’s then we notice the raindrops sparkling in the sunshine after a night of stormy weather.
HOUSE is on sale through all good bookstores.