Niles, an old man, lives alone in a very old and large house. It has been this way since his wife died. One day a boy appears and asks Niles to take care of a plant for him. Surprised, Niles agrees and while caring for the plant learns he had become sad and complacent. By the time the boy returns, Niles has straightened up and is ready to step out into the world. The illustrations are full page and digitally rendered with heavy use of dark colors, reinforcing the mood of the main character Niles at the beginning of the story.

The author is a Swedish writer and teacher.

Swedish. Originally published in Sweden as Huset som Vaknade by Bonnier Carlsen Bokförlag in 2017. Published in the United States by Floris Books (Stourbridge, England) in 2018.

Pixar's blockbuster UP meets Coraline in this atmospheric and emotional story.

Niles lives all alone in a big dirty house filled with memories of the people who used to live there.

Then one day, a little boy appears on his doorstep and asks Niles to take care of his plant. Astonished, Niles takes the pot of dirt, and wonders what to do with it.

As a seedling appears, Niles realizes how empty and lonely his house is and begins to care for the plant, his house and himself. By the time the little boy returns his flower has bloomed into a beautiful poppy and Niles, and his house, are filled with hope again.

This beautiful and uplifting story of loss and hope by Martin Widmark is accompanied by stunning, atmospheric illustrations by Emilia Dziubak, which capture Niles's journey from loneliness to friendship.