A sudden blackout turns into a neighborhood-wide sleepover in this lovely, lyrical picture book about family, community, and how much fun it can be to unplug from technology

Filled with joy and community bonding, Neesa Bally’s lyrical text and Geeta Ladi’s warm and striking art style, this book paints a vivid picture of Trinidadian life while showing that when the lights go out, that’s when the most fun can be had.

It happens suddenly—
Darkness descends,
without wish or want.
An uninvited guest,
overstaying its welcome.

“Current gone! Power’s out!” A blackout overtakes a family’s neighborhood one evening. As lights, fans, air conditioners, and electronic devices all lose power, there’s only one thing left to do—go outside and play!

Joining their neighbors in the sticky tropical heat of Trinidad, the family enjoys playing board games by candlelight, making shadow puppets, and sharing grilled cheese sandwiches and ice cream with their friends and neighbors. As they begin to fall asleep under the star-filled sky, the lights come back on, leaving everyone with memories that will last.