Reviewed by Sarah Tegerdine
Zola and the Christmas Lights is a reflective
and heartfelt exploration of family, diversity, community, light, hope and
love.
It is nearing Christmas and Zola’s class
is about to break for the summer school holidays. Just before the bell goes, Ms
Divis, Zola’s favourite teacher, encourages the class to reflect on their
learnings about the various traditions and celebrations held by different
cultures. Reminding them that ‘not all’ celebrate Christmas but poses the
question ‘What do they all have in common?’ Zola is left pondering the answer.
Walking home with her Nonna Rosa and
younger cousin Alessandro, she enquires if they will be putting up Christmas
lights. But Zola’s Nonna withdraws from the conversation, Christmas hasn’t been
the same since they lost Nonno. But Zola remembers…
Then, a few short days before Christmas,
Zola is in the kitchen helping her Mummy and Nonna prepare meals for the people
in their local community who have fallen on hard times. She is sent to the cellar
to fetch some bottled sauce. She collects the sauce but becomes distracted and
forgets to close the door behind her. Time passes while they have been out and
return home to discover that their two dogs (Monty and Gigi) have been into the
cellar, to which chaos has ensued.
But from the chaos something unexpected appears
that leaves Zola and her family filled with wonder and memories.
Melina Marchetta has woven the perfect
story this festive season, Zola and the Christmas Lights is a true celebration
of togetherness. The illustrations by Deb Hudson simply dazzle and delight with
every turn of the page.
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