A Review of “Delilah and the Missing Curtains” by David Farkas

Goodreads link: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/233792301-delilah-and-the-missing-curtains

Have you ever sat in a perfectly fine room, with perfectly fine things, and still found yourself frustrated by the one thing that wasn’t there? It’s a strangely common experience—for adults and kids alike—and in Delilah and the Missing Curtains, author David Farkas captures that moment with unexpected clarity and charm.

Delilah, a young ant, has just had her bare room transformed into a cozy, well-furnished space. But one detail remains missing: pink curtains with white lace. That absence? It wrecks her mood. And what unfolds next is not a story about interior design—it’s a child-sized exploration of a very grown-up problem: why we sometimes feel disappointed even when we have everything we need.

Rhyme, Restraint, and Real Emotion

Farkas’s story is told in crisp, rhyming couplets that echo the rhythm of a thoughtful bedtime conversation. Unlike many children’s books that rush from one event to the next, Delilah and the Missing Curtains stays still—and that’s where its power lies. It lets the feeling of lack linger. It doesn’t try to fix the feeling with distractions or gimmicks. Instead, it invites children (and the adults reading to them) to sit with that discontent, observe it, and explore where it leads.

And where it leads is wise.

Delilah’s mother doesn’t dismiss her sadness or offer hollow reassurance. She walks her daughter through the mental trap of “If I just had this, then I’d be happy.” It’s a rare depiction of emotional coaching in picture book form—gentle, respectful, and layered with insight.

The Art of Stillness

Much like the writing, the illustrations by Brittany Farkas resist the temptation to overdo. There’s a quiet discipline to the visual storytelling—soft palettes, clean lines, and rooms that feel just as thoughtfully arranged as the message they hold. Instead of loud colors or overcomplicated scenes, the illustrations reflect a child’s-eye view of space and mood. You can almost feel the emptiness of Delilah’s room in the beginning and sense the emotional shift as warmth and perspective fill the space. This minimalism isn’t lacking—it’s intentional, echoing the story’s lesson that meaning doesn’t come from excess.

The Science Behind the Story

Here’s a fascinating connection: neuroscientists have found that our brains adjust quickly to improvements in our circumstances—a phenomenon called “hedonic adaptation.” That means the joy from new things tends to fade fast, while gratitude and mindfulness tend to generate more lasting happiness. Delilah and the Missing Curtains doesn’t mention this research, of course. But it reflects it beautifully in story form.

When Delilah’s mom reminds her that “what you have now is what you wanted yesterday,” it’s not just a poetic line. It’s evidence-backed wisdom in rhyme.

Not for Everyone (And That’s Okay)

Let’s be clear: Delilah and the Missing Curtains isn’t a crowd-pleaser in the traditional sense. There are no animal dance parties, no talking donuts, and no magical adventure arcs. This book is for readers who want more than distraction—it’s for families who want language for real feelings. It’s for children learning how to handle disappointment with grace, and for adults who’ve learned (perhaps the hard way) that buying the next nice thing doesn’t fill the inner gap for long.

If you’re looking for flash and chaos, this book might feel too slow. But if you’ve ever felt inexplicably blue in a room full of everything you once hoped for? Then you already know what Delilah and the Missing Curtains is about.

The Curtain as Catalyst

In the end, the missing curtains aren’t really the problem. They’re a stand-in—for the new phone we don’t have, the award we didn’t win, the one “like” we wish we’d gotten. Delilah’s story is small, but her experience is immense. She wants more. She gets perspective. She doesn’t become perfect—she becomes present.

And sometimes, that’s the only upgrade we need.

Book Excellence Award

Book Excellence Award Badge Download

The book is a recipient of the Book Excellence Award, which celebrates literary achievement, creativity, and impact. More than just a mark of quality, the award honors books that inspire, inform, and transform readers across the globe. Winners are chosen for their exceptional storytelling, compelling voice, and professional presentation. Earning a Book Excellence Award signifies not only outstanding craftsmanship but also meaningful contribution to the literary world.

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