Amy Fellner Dominy Author Interview
Amy Fellner Dominy has written a lyrical picture book for Sukkot. A House with No Door is a Sukkot story that will open a door to nature and poetry appreciation. Read my interview with Amy to learn more about the story behind this book.
About Amy Fellner Dominy
About Amy Fellner Dominy
Amy Fellner Dominy grew up with a book in her hands. She started submitting her own stories to be published when she was thirteen. Amy is now the award-winning author of over ten books for kids including picture books, middle grade and young adult. When she’s not reading or writing stories, she can be found outdoors hiking and exploring the magic of nature. Amy lives in Phoenix with her husband, their dog, Shep and cat, Moxie.
Amy loves to visit schools and book clubs, both in-person and virtually. She also loves hearing from readers. Reach out to Amy at www.amydominy.com.
Interview with Amy Fellner Dominy
Julie: Why Sukkot? What was the seed for this story?
Amy: I knew I wanted to write a story about a Jewish holiday, but which one? My happy place has always been outdoors, so it made sense that I was drawn to Sukkot. I wrote the first draft of a truly awful story. My critique group read the 3,000 words and in an attempt to be kind, mentioned a line they really liked: Everyone is welcome in a house with no door. I started again with that line, really thinking about the unique elements of a sukkah and the tradition to invite others to join us. What a lovely message at a time when society feels so divided.
Julie: I love all the lyrical descriptions. “The outside hangs on the inside, and the inside feels like the outside.” and “A roof that is not a roof.” I never saw a sukkah as poetic. How did you end up seeing the sukkah in such a way?
Amy: As I was writing the story, I imagined a young girl showing the sukkah to a new sibling. It’s really magical when you consider the way it’s constructed and how much it becomes a part of nature. I’m not usually a lyrical writer, but it was the right voice for this story.
Julie: What inspired the idea to describe a sukkah in such a sensory manner? You mention the sour taste of an etrog and the rustle of the lulav.
Amy: I’m not sure I ever made a conscious decision to be sensory as I wrote. But to bring a sukkah to life for someone who’s never seen one…it made sense to use all the five senses.
Julie: Rotem Teplow does such a magnificent job capturing that feeling of nature in her illustrations. I love all the different viewing angles. Did you have any art notes for her with any requested elements?
Amy: I try not to offer too many art notes. I love the collaboration of what an illustrator brings to the story.
Julie: What is your favorite illustration?
Amy: I have two. The first is the illustration of the main character looking up. It’s such a unique perspective and I love how Rotem pulled that off. The second is the illustration of everyone gathered in the sukkah with nature all around. There’s so much to see and in fact, I only just noticed the other day that there’s a nest with birds in the tree.
Julie: I always wrap up by asking what’s new. Can you talk about your recent book, Monster Down Deep? Are you working on anything at the moment?
Amy: Monster Down Deep launched in June of this year. I call it ‘Remarkably Bright Creatures’ for middle school. The response has been great and PJ Our Way has selected it as one of their book options so I’m very excited about that.
I’m working on new ideas now because, well, I’m always working on new ideas. J I was inspired during Yom Kippur to write a picture book about the holiday. I’m also in the middle of a new middle grade idea about a Jewish girl on a team survival hike who has to battle nature and her own fears.
Thanks so much for hosting me, Julie! I also wanted to mention I do a monthly author newsletter about writing, publishing and life in general. I do giveaways most months so if your readers would like to join the journey, sign up at amydominy.com/newsletter.
About A House with No Door
A House with No Doorby Amy Fellner Dominy
Illustrator: Rotem Teplow
Published by Kar-Ben Books on August 4, 2026
Pages: 24
Genres: Juvenile Fiction / Holidays & Celebrations / Jewish, Juvenile Fiction / Religious / Jewish
What kind of house is this? One with three walls and no door? It’s called a sukkah. In Amy Fellner Dominy’s poetic tale, family and friends (and a couple cats!) gather to decorate a backyard sukkah in observation of the Jewish holiday of Sukkot. So grab your etrog, raise your lulav, and join in this celebration of autumn, nature, and community.
Lyrical Holiday Story
This lyrical picture book by Amy Fellner Dominy describes a house with no door. The book repeatedly asks “What Kind of House is this?” What type of house has no door, a roof that is not a roof, or has walls that shimmy with the breeze. It describes the sukkah and Sukkot customs ending with a welcome for everybody finally answering the question “What kind of house is this? It’s called a sukkah. These poetic phrases invite children to commune with nature using language as colorful as the rich detailed illustrations by Rotem Teplow. My preschool listener loved seeing what the cats were up to in different pictures. The author reminds us that we celebrate a world we share with everyone, including the animals and the artist has several animals in the woods which my little one enjoyed finding. I enjoyed the lyrical text mixed with the child friendly refrain. I also appreciated the afterward which provides a thorough explanation of the holiday for older readers.
Learn More Amy
Find out more about Amy and her books at amydominy.com
You can learn about her books and buy them at major retail sites through the links on her book page.
Want more Sukkot Reviews
SIX SUKKOT STORIES for 2026
This year brings a bumper crop of new Sukkot picture books to share. Read about the harvest of this year’s Sukkot stories and follow the links to the author interviews and guest post that follows.
SUKKOT ARCHIVE
Read about this year’s crop and Sukkot picture book favorites from recent years. Find all the Sukkot Reviews and Interviews on Storybooklady.net
