Great Joy

by Kate DiCamillo, Bagram Ibatoulline
Great Joy  
published October 9th 2007 by Candlewick
binding Hardcover
isbn 0763629200   (isbn13: 9780763629205)
pages 32
description In her first picture book, America’s beloved storyteller Kate DiCamillo
reunites with Bagram Ibatoulline to offer readers an unforgettable holiday gift.
<...more
date added
04-04-07



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other reviews (showing 1-20 of 104)



Becky
Becky rated it: 3 of 5 stars3 of 5 stars3 of 5 stars3 of 5 stars3 of 5 stars
05/20/08

Read in May, 2008
recommends it for: Christmas fans
I checked this out because I like both the author and the illustrator. I think DiCamillo's writing is better suited to chapter-book length -- I liked The Tale of Despereaux far better -- but this is a sweet Christmas story with nice detail. The pictures are softly shaded, realistic, and 1940's-esque, sort of like Chris Van Allsburg meets Norman Rockwell. The sense of lighting is lovely, since much of the book takes place at night. The ending felt rather abrupt, but the final two-page spread is w...more
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Snorkle
Snorkle rated it: 4 of 5 stars4 of 5 stars4 of 5 stars4 of 5 stars4 of 5 stars
06/30/08

Read in March, 2008
The illustrations for this book are simply astounding, I loved looking at them, remembering all the magical moments I had as a child when I didn't know how to read and would glean what I could from the pictures. The story was very sweet and made me smile. Definitely read if you are a fan of Kate DiCamillo.

*Taken from my book reviews blog: http://reviewsatmse.blogspot.c...
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Megan
Megan rated it: 1 of 5 stars1 of 5 stars1 of 5 stars1 of 5 stars1 of 5 stars
11/16/07

Read in November, 2007
Oh, how this pains me to give Ms. Dicamillo one star. I was so disappointed in this book that I wanted to cry in my soup. I got to the last page and was sure that the remaining book must have gotten lost somewhere on its way into my hands, but no such luck. I will hang on to my feelings of love for this writer and hold out hope for another Despereaux-esque masterpiece!
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BabyHippoFace
BabyHippoFace rated it: 3 of 5 stars3 of 5 stars3 of 5 stars3 of 5 stars3 of 5 stars
07/07/08

bookshelves: kids--picture-books
As she prepares for the church Christmas pageant, Frances worries about the organ grinder and his monkey who live on the corner below her apartment window. The sentimental story may be too saccharine for some readers, but others will be catpivated by the detail in Ibatoulline's gorgeous acrylic gouache depictions of 1940's wartime families.
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Jackie
02/20/08

bookshelves: picture-books
Read in February, 2008
A nice Christmas story with beautiful illustrations. A little girl is concerned for a homeless man and his pet monkey who work the street corner with music for coins. She invites him to her Church play. The mother is wary and concerned, but all turns out well in the end.
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Liesl
Liesl rated it: 5 of 5 stars5 of 5 stars5 of 5 stars5 of 5 stars5 of 5 stars
01/29/08

Read in December, 2007
A great return to the classic children's picture book. Some of them are starting to get a little ridiculous, but this is full of beautiful pictures, not to mention the gorgeous text of Kate DiCamillo. A sweet story that has the true meaning of Christmas at heart.
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Betty
Betty rated it: 4 of 5 stars4 of 5 stars4 of 5 stars4 of 5 stars4 of 5 stars
01/11/08

Read in January, 2008
This book reminds me of a reverse Little Match Girl, not in the story so much, but more in the illustrations. Ibatoulline's illustrations remind me of Jerry Pinkey's Little Match Girl illustrations. Di Camillo creates a beautiful Christmas story.
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Shauna
Shauna rated it: 4 of 5 stars4 of 5 stars4 of 5 stars4 of 5 stars4 of 5 stars
05/16/08

A sweet christmas picture book, the story isn't a tear jerker (I was hoping for it!) but a nice story about a young girl sharing the Christmas spirit. Not a must, but if you collect Christmas picture books . . . not a bad purchase.
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Kate
Kate rated it: 3 of 5 stars3 of 5 stars3 of 5 stars3 of 5 stars3 of 5 stars
06/22/08

bookshelves: picturebooks
Read in June, 2008
Yeah, I checked this out around Christmas and just now read it. It's sweet - and what I really appreciate about it is that Kate DiCamillo is able to do super sweet without being sappy.
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Lisa
Lisa rated it: 3 of 5 stars3 of 5 stars3 of 5 stars3 of 5 stars3 of 5 stars
11/27/07

bookshelves: kidland
Read in November, 2007
The illustrations are what made the book. The story seemed choppy, as if she wanted to write a chapter book and an editor pared it down to a picture book.
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Becky
Becky rated it: 5 of 5 stars5 of 5 stars5 of 5 stars5 of 5 stars5 of 5 stars
03/22/08

bookshelves: kidbooks
Read in November, 2007
Beautiful illustrations that seem to belong in the 40's!
This is a heartwarming holiday story for ages 4-8 but
anyone who wants to feel young.
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Susan
Susan rated it: 5 of 5 stars5 of 5 stars5 of 5 stars5 of 5 stars5 of 5 stars
10/24/07

bookshelves: childrenspicturebooks
Read in October, 2007
A nice holiday story in which a child shows a homeless man compassion without pity or judgment. It has lovely illustrations too.
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April
April rated it: 4 of 5 stars4 of 5 stars4 of 5 stars4 of 5 stars4 of 5 stars
04/17/08

Sweet text about a girl who reaches out to a homeless organ grinder at christmas time. Soft pictures work well with this one.
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Angie
Angie rated it: 4 of 5 stars4 of 5 stars4 of 5 stars4 of 5 stars4 of 5 stars
11/12/07

bookshelves: picture-books
Read in November, 2007
I wish the story went a little deeper, but it's a beautiful book. The artwork is moving and tender, and the story is sweet.
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Kelli
Kelli rated it: 5 of 5 stars5 of 5 stars5 of 5 stars5 of 5 stars5 of 5 stars
03/13/08

Read in December, 2007
Fun children's book to read--especially at Christmas. Gives me me the 'feel good' chills at the end.
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Alisha
Alisha rated it: 2 of 5 stars2 of 5 stars2 of 5 stars2 of 5 stars2 of 5 stars
03/08/08

bookshelves: childrens
Read in March, 2008
It had great potential, but the ending was disappointing. It was too abrupt.
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Natalie
Natalie rated it: 3 of 5 stars3 of 5 stars3 of 5 stars3 of 5 stars3 of 5 stars
12/10/07

bookshelves: read-alouds
Read in December, 2007
It's pretty sweet and there's an organ grinder with a monkey in it.
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Lynn
Lynn rated it: 3 of 5 stars3 of 5 stars3 of 5 stars3 of 5 stars3 of 5 stars
11/03/07

bookshelves: picture-books
I guess I was hoping for more at the end of the book...
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Heather
Heather rated it: 4 of 5 stars4 of 5 stars4 of 5 stars4 of 5 stars4 of 5 stars
06/02/08

bookshelves: young-adult
Read in February, 2008
A happy, make you feel good, short picture story book.
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Evan
Evan marked it as to-read
05/21/08

bookshelves: to-read
recommended to Evan by: Becky
Becky, you had me at "Christmas fans"...
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book data (includes all editions)

avg rating (all editions): 3.92 (74 ratings)
avg rating (this edition): 3.93 (73 ratings)
number of reviews: 23






other editions

Great Joy (Hardcover)